Sabah Salem’s journey to graduating from The Ohio State University has been long—one that’s spanned majors, colleges, and even continents.
“I grew up in Saudi Arabia,” said the fourth-year ODI Scholar (JLM). “That’s where all of my siblings and I were born and raised, and then we moved to Columbus in 2010.”
Salem began her post-secondary education at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) but soon found herself at a crossroads.
“I was one of those students who was unclear on what they wanted to study. I would go to my counselor and say, ‘I want to major in this.’ Then, the next semester, I’d go back and say, ‘You know what, I actually want to major in this.’ I kept changing back and forth,” Salem explained. “I ended up taking a gap year, and in 2017, I went to Fortis College and became a medical assistant.”
Working as a Float Medical Assistant at Central Ohio Primary Care gave her critical healthcare experience while also sparking a new passion.
“I enjoyed working in the lab, especially drawing blood, and I was so fascinated with how the human body functions,” Salem noted. “I faced health challenges, and nutrition really opened my eyes and helped heal my body. Through that personal experience, I decided to major in nutrition.”
Salem returned to CSCC to continue her education and eventually transferred to Ohio State. Despite the challenges of transitioning to a large institution, she found a home in ODI and the James L. Moore Scholars Program.
“ODI was very welcoming and showed me that I belong here. I learned how to be more comfortable advocating for myself,” Salem commented. “ODI resources like tutoring made a huge difference. Whenever I encountered difficulties, I knew I could count on Ms. Chaka [ODI staffer] for support—whether it was advice, a letter of recommendation, or assistance with tuition and scholarships.”
Salem credits her success to both ODI resources and her active involvement on campus. She has served as a Social Peer Assistant, supporting transfer students from community colleges and helping them adjust to life at Ohio State.
“I believe in giving back to the programs and people who have supported me,” Salem said. “ODI has been such a big part of my journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help other students feel welcome and supported, just as I did.”
After earning her diploma this autumn, Salem plans to continue her Buckeye experience through Ohio State’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences’ graduate program in Dietetics and Nutrition, with hopes of becoming a registered dietitian. “I’ve already applied for Ohio State’s master’s program, so hopefully I get accepted in March,” she noted.
Salem is proud to follow in the footsteps of her younger sister, a 2021 Ohio State graduate, becoming the second person in her family to earn a college degree.
“We came to the United States for a better education and a better life, and that has been a huge motivation for me,” she said. “Seeing my sister and I accomplish that mission by graduating from college has put a big smile on my parents’ faces. Achieving their dream of seeing us succeed means everything to me, and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.”