International Student Voices: Aniqa Jahangeer from Pakistan

Aniqa Jahangeer, a Ph.D. student from Pakistan, found her academic and professional fit at ISU, where the diverse faculty and rich English programs align with her passion for language, teaching, and research.

Background and Decision to Choose ISU

Q: Could you tell us about your background and what led you to pursue an English degree? Why did you choose Idaho State University for your English studies?

A: My name is Aniqa Jahangeer. I am a doctoral student pursuing my PhD in English and the Teaching of English, expecting to graduate in 2028. Hailing from Pakistan’s capital city, I have been passionate about language and literature and pursued my undergraduate and Master’s degrees while also having the privilege of teaching in diverse higher education institutions, both public and private sectors. In addition, I had also had the opportunity to work with US Embassy access programs and worked with students from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds. Learning about people, culture, languages and societies/environment was always a driving force for me growing up and enabled teaching to be my true calling. I pursued a degree in the humanities because it allowed me the space for interdisciplinarity and to help enrich my understanding of the world in ways that forge connections and pave a way forward. Teaching language arts and rhetoric courses allows me to create impact on not just building an expression of ways in which students write but also how they critically think about the world as 21st century citizens. Pursuing a doctorate was a natural choice for me because I want to be able to grow within academia and by extension also alt-academic spaces as a voice for change.  

Experience at ISU

Q: What has been your experience with the English programs at ISU so far? How has the faculty and coursework at ISU helped you in your academic journey?

A: After working with a professor during a workshop in Pakistan during my Master’s, I researched Idaho for the faculty and the programs available here. Honestly, Idaho State was a natural fit for me as a school because my research interests overlapped well with multiple faculty members and some of them were really distinguished in their field. I feel grateful for having chosen ISU because of the supportive and diversified faculty pool and the robust graduate student body that is close knit and welcoming. I truly believe it takes a village to earn a doctorate and since the first day on campus, I have never felt that support from the school lacking.  

I am pleased that ISU has offered me a lot of courses that are relevant to my diversified research interests. The courses have enabled me to develop not only research but also my growth as an instructor. I think having faculty work in a lot of different areas enables ISU to be a good fit for a lot of students. 

I think while applying to the school I only knew a few professors who would be invaluable to my academic journey. However, once I came here, I found a lot of my other interests aligning with a few faculty members here and ISU has really enabled me to even foster my interests outside of the discipline too. Pursuing these interests and being able to leverage space for it is one other thing that really stands to benefit incoming students.  

ISU library is my favorite on campus resource enabling access to a huge repository both online and through access to other libraries through InterLibrary Loan. It has allowed me to be part of a lot of teaching and learning opportunities in terms of the creative resources like Black Rock and Sage, EGSA for graduate students’ events and activities, Intermountain Graduate Conferences which I have the pleasure to organize for this year and multiple reading circles and groups that have helped me connect with people from other disciplines as well. Don’t forget the DnD nights… if you are interested in it, you should come! I really cannot pick on one moment because there were so many memorable moments I have had at ISU in the brief time I have been here and they fill my heart up. 

Academic and Professional Impact

Q: Can you share any specific skills or knowledge you’ve gained that you find particularly valuable? Have you had any internships, research opportunities, or other practical experiences through the program? If so, how have they impacted you?

A: I think there are a lot of people with diverse backgrounds from rhetoric, writing studies, TESOL and varying literature and critical expertise that have enriched my understanding of not just literature but also other forms of media in today’s age and that is crucial to my research interests. I also recognize that ISU provides other opportunities for developing skills that go beyond the conventional skillset within our field and can prove really helpful. 

One reason I personally chose ISU was also its teaching intensive focus. I believe the internships, externships and the opportunities it provides to gain an insight into pedagogical practices through both dissertation and teaching experiences help with your growth as a professional. Participating in a CPI for research for instance helped me gain more skills as a researcher which will prove invaluable to me down the line. Diverse teaching experiences over the first year through the Career Office also added a lot of value to my professional development. 

While working on papers for both courses and my own research, I have found Interlibrary Loan extremely useful for my scholarship and I love how expedited and smooth the process is for graduate students where the library takes care of everything once you give them the basic details of research articles or books you need. It is a really great resource that supplements the access to digital repositories and the vast library collection wonderfully in case you do not find something available. 

Personal and Cultural Integration

Q: What has been your experience integrating into the campus and local community as an international student? Have you participated in any extracurricular activities or organizations at ISU? If so, how have they contributed to your experience?

A: ISU has a robust international student population and a great resource in the shape of International Programs Office (IPO) as well as English Graduate Student Association (EGSA) which allows you to be able to integrate into both on campus and the local community. IPO really facilitates interactions and anything that students need to learn to work through as an international student. Although there were not many Pakistanis on campus, there is a strong Pakistani presence in the local community and a mosque in the community as well which helps with connecting with other Muslims in the area.  The campus holds a lot of artistic events that also help make connections. I especially loved the Idaho State Civic Symphony performances and the talent I have witnessed through them. The Montana Shakespeare in the Parks performances are also incredible and seeing art and performance always makes one feel celebrate being part of the larger collective. 

Q:How has studying at ISU helped you grow personally and culturally? What are some challenges and stereotypes you have faced, and how have you overcome them?

A: Participating in reading circles with faculty sharing my diverse interests and having the opportunity to have even learned from faculty members across other disciplines has really enriched my growth personally. Coming to the US and learning about culture from being invited graciously into homes and lives especially during celebratory occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas has really added value to me because I have found a lot of harmony and commonality in the differences with people from other cultural backgrounds. US being a melting pot of cultures enabled me to engage with even other cultures from outside in the most phenomenal ways possible. I have discovered a lot more about myself and my resilience as a person here and it has definitely allowed me the space to share the parts of culture I celebrate and wear even louder. 

One of the challenges of coexisting in a different culture is always to share and present the sides of your culture that others are not aware of and also learn those sides for the other culture. Fortunately, Pocatello despite being a smaller town is very diverse and accommodating. In most of my experiences of confronting stereotypes, there was some curiosity and openness I could find in people and if they were receptive to learn more, I have always found a delight in sharing and talking about perspectives. I have always found difference as something to be celebrated rather than resented and so this has been natural for me albeit coming with some adjustment and culture shock.    

Future Aspirations and Career Goals

Q: What are your career goals, and how do you believe your degree from ISU will help you achieve them? Do you have any plans to stay in the U.S. after graduation, or do you plan to return to your home country? How do you think your education at ISU will be perceived in your home country or in the international job market?

A: I have more broad scope interests in academia so my desire for growth in future is both academic and alt academic. Coming to another culture, ten thousand miles away from home, was an attempt to get outside of my comfort zone and also to learn in a culture and community that was different. ISU was a good fit for me both geographically and academically and I believe that it has already paved the way for growth that caters to my interests. Before joining ISU, I had a tenure track faculty position as a Lecturer in one of Pakistan’s top universities and my institution supported my choice allowing me a study leave to continue my journey with a PhD. However, I definitely intend to stay in the US because of the nature of work I plan on continuing after I graduate, and I hope that my growth will continue even after I have graduated. 

I think one thing I really liked about my experience was the TESOL certificate that ISU offers. Getting a degree from ISU accompanied with the TESOL certificate will really enhance my odds of being more marketable both within the US and internationally. 

Advice and Recommendations

Q: What advice would you give to other international students considering studying English at ISU? What do you wish you had known before starting your program at ISU?

A: To any incoming international students considering the English program at ISU, I will say that do not judge Pocatello by its size but by what it has to offer. The diversity of interactions and experiences that the town and campus will offer you is remarkable, especially if you like mountains and outdoors activities like hiking, skiing, hot springs and the like. I wish I had known that there is less presence here of certain cultural groups although you will find other South Asian cultures like Bengalis, Nepalis and Indians here but if you are looking for a multicultural experience, this is definitely a fit for you!