Tel-Hai Magazine 2023-2024

Students at the forefront of war relief

year students are experiencing much more distress. How many disasters can one endure? How can one focus on studying for exams facing all the challenges we’ve experienced and wit nessed? There’s a profound sense of helplessness, particularly evident in the aftermath of the Majdal-Shams tragedy; students didn’t know how to process it. Nevertheless, I feel the col lege has done what it could to ease the burden on students during this time. For example, following the Maj dal-Shams incident, the college of fered an additional exam date for stu dents from that community.” Beyond his mentoring responsibili ties, Amir took the initiative to orga nize social activities. He recognized that social and community aspects, previously underemphasized, play a crucial role in motivating Ara bic-speaking students to persist in their studies. While the current secu rity situation made organizing social gatherings challenging, he produced several social events that students con sidered successful. Amir serves as a pillar of support, a source of knowledge and empower ment for the students. He particularly stood out in his search for creative solutions to problems in the depart ment. Beyond routine matters, Amir made sure to talk with students week Amir Amar Third-Year Student, Department of Computer Science

Amir, (30), a resident of Maghar, has been volunteering in the Dean of Stu dent’s Office since 2022, focusing on reducing dropout rates and support ing Arabic-speaking students in the Computer Science department. This year, as part of his role, Amir men tored approximately 70 first-year stu dents. His responsibilities included establishing personal connections with students, providing ongoing sup port throughout the year, liaising with the department and lecturers to help new students start on the right foot, and ensuring they had someone to turn to in their native language. “We primarily focused on making knowledge accessible, providing trans lated updates from the college, and explaining course material. I had nu merous personal conversations with students about their rights and entitle ments. We encountered several cases where students struggled with remote learning and even considered leaving Tel-Hai College. In such instances, the college staff and I provided closer sup port and found solutions to prevent dropout,” says Amir. He continues, “This is an extremely challenging period for students due to the security situation, compounded by the implications of distance learning. Second-year students are coping bet ter with the circumstances, but first

ly, offering tips for success, encourag ing them when things got tough, and motivating them to participate, attend classes, and aim high. He accom plished all this while dealing with his own challenges throughout his degree. “On a personal level, my under graduate journey has been overshad owed by significant challenges.” Amir reflects. “I started my degree in cen tral Israel, then the COVID-19 pan demic hit. I had to leave the center and decided to return north and enrol at Tel-Hai. Fortunately, my previous studies were recognized, and the col lege gave me credits for them. Of course, life itself brings its own chal lenges, and on top of that, my final year took place in the shadow of the war.” Despite these obstacles, Amir persevered in his activities for younger students. For his unique contribution, Amir received an Award of Recogni tion from the college.

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