Welcomed and Empowered: An International Student’s Experience at Yeshiva University
TAHEREH GHAFOORI ’25 Katz School of Science and Health M.S. Candidate in Biotechnology Management and Entrepreneurship W ith a single-minded focus, Tahereh (Tara) Ghafoori had one goal—to study biotech at a top American university. The path was not easy. As an Iranian student, securing a U.S. visa was a long and compli- cated process, but she remained determined. When she finally re- ceived approval, it was the moment she had dreamed of—a chance to build the future she had worked so hard to achieve. But just as one door opened, another challenge arose—her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Despite her illness, she urged Ghafoori to go. “This is your chance to make your future,” she told her daughter. “My mom pushed me to come to the U.S. and attend Yeshiva University,” Ghafoori said. “And it is something I will never forget. You can accomplish anything if you have one person who believes in you.” Thanks to her mother’s encouragement, Ghafoori chose a path of hope and is thriving at Yeshiva University’s Katz School of Sci- ence and Health. She was drawn to the school’s innovative M.S. in Biotechnology Management and Entrepreneurship, which aligned with her dream of taking medical discoveries out of the lab and into the marketplace. Once at Katz, she soon discovered that many of her classmates were international students. Ghafoori recalls how the welcoming sense of community—among her peers and the school’s supportive sta—made an immediate impact. So much so that she decided to join the student association. When asked what it has been like for a student from a Muslim country to study at the flagship Jewish university in the United States, Ghafoori said it has been a warm experience because every- one at YU has been very welcoming. “The atmosphere is very family-like,” she added. “People know me, talk to me, ask me about my day. It helps me a lot.” Ghafoori immersed herself in her studies in biotech, working in the labs of Dr. Margarita Vigodner, professor of biology, to develop solutions for male infertility, as well as with Professor Robert Friedman to combine science and business management. Through YU, she secured an internship with a local health-care startup, where she is part of a team developing an app that helps patients manage their medication dosages and schedules. Her commitment to building community extends beyond the classroom. She launched a weekly Katz School newsletter to high-
light professional development opportunities so that students can expand their networks. And her leadership quickly stood out. Just a year and a half after arriving at Katz, she was elected president of the Katz Student Association. “Here at Katz, I have made many friends from around the world,” said Ghafoori. “It is inspiring to study alongside individuals from diverse backgrounds, and it has made me realize that we all speak the same language: humanity.” Once armed with her degree, she plans to pursue a career in health care, where she hopes to bring medical advancements to those who need them most. Looking back on her journey, she realized that there is one mo- ment that stands out above all—the day her mother looked her in the eyes and said “You must go! You will regret it if you stay. You must make your future. This is your chance!” And that made all the dierence. “I made my family proud,” she said. “My mom is doing well, and it means everything to see my parents happy. I have grown so much and pushed myself to build a better life. Now I know I can achieve my dreams—for all of us.”
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YU Today | Leadership with Purpose
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