A Distinguished Scholar Diplomat

Abir El Hirch is Georgetown College’s first international student to be granted the Distinguished Scholar Award, a four-year, full-tuition scholarship. Abir holds big dreams in her small frame. She can be spotted flashing a friendly smile all over campus as she goes to class and participates in several organizations. Abir comes from the country of Morocco in North Africa. While her dreams aren’t unusual for a young optimist like herself, she has the drive and skills to achieve them.

The 18-year-old freshman, who wants to improve the lives of people around the world, plans to achieve that by studying chemistry and learning how to develop drugs that can relieve people of the effects of diseases such as diabetes and cancer, that have affected her own family, and mental health conditions which she and her age group struggle to conquer. She also has a goal to become a United Nations ambassador, so she plans to take prelaw courses at Georgetown College and study at Oxford University.

Abir spent her entire life in Rabat, the capital of Morocco on the Atlantic coast, in a multigenerational family household that currently numbers 13, from “baby” cousins to her grandparents. Her father is in the Moroccan military and her mother is a chef. Being surrounded by people is part of what she calls the “comfort zone” that is part of her personality.

While living in her familiar space she was already working to help others. She was active in an organization which develops confidence and skills in children and teens that they can use to become successful entrepreneurs. Also, Abir participated in Oxfam Morocco, an international nonprofit that educates the public about world hunger and poverty. She was also copresident of a charity called Ben and Silya that collects donations of money, food, and clothing for Moroccan nonprofit organizations that serve the underprivileged. “Helping people and giving little bits of myself makes me happy and keeps me going. I see happiness as a whole and my community right at the center of it.”

Abir’s life wasn’t all studying and volunteering. For summer vacations, her grandparents often took her and her younger brother abroad, including nearby Spain, France, Germany, and Switzerland. That international perspective has helped shape her in a tangible way. “Being outside of my country helped in how I see myself and how I see the world. That’s why I wanted to study abroad.” She likes to set goals for herself and then work hard to make them a reality. Studying abroad was one of those goals. She attended a private school and participated in a challenging International Baccalaureate Program. Her scores on the national college entrance exam allowed her the leverage to competitively apply to colleges both at home and abroad.

According to Provost Jonathan Sands Wise, former vice president of enrollment management, Abir came to the attention of the enrollment office when she participated in a virtual college fair. “She was identified as a potential fit for Georgetown College, so we got her e-mail address and reached out to her. We often identify potential international students in this way.”

Dr. Tichaedza “Ticha” Chikuni, executive director of admissions, contacted Abir, inviting her to apply. “What stood out to me about her was how genuine, authentic, and determined she was about her education. I was keen to hear the story of this amazing student from Morocco.” Her interest in combining chemistry and pre-law into a future career intrigued him with its uniqueness and vision. Sands Wise says the College seeks out academically strong applicants, but also those who are “good people and leaders who want to be involved on campus and in their communities and want to make a difference.”

After getting to know Abir, Chikuni encouraged her to apply for the Distinguished Scholars award and she did, even though an international student had never before received the award and there were at least 30 other applicants. “Realizing the potential Georgetown College saw in me gave me a lot of confidence in my abilities and that was one of the things that made me fall in love with the College.” Abir says people ask her how a girl from Morocco found a small institution in Kentucky to attend. “I always say, ‘I didn’t find Georgetown; Georgetown found me.’” Since arriving here in August, her first solo trip abroad, she has hit the ground running, participating right away in the Black Student Union, the staff of The Georgetonian (student newspaper), and the Student Ambassadors and Student Call Team for the Admissions Department. She also assisted in the chemistry department and joined the newly reorganized Student Mental Health Advisory Council (SMHAC). Chemistry professor Dr. David Fraley appreciates Abir’s cheery face and positive attitude in his class. “She always has positive contributions to lab discussions, asking good questions.” College Lead Counselor Bethany Farley, SMHAC advisor, remembers how enthusiastic Abir was at the first meeting. She actively shared her perspective and ideas and volunteered to be the Ambassador of Events and Programming. “Do you know what it’s like to leave a conversation which was sprinkled with positivity? That’s Abir to me,” says Farley. “Abir brings valuable insight as a student from Morocco. Our campus needs to hear and see other perspectives and grow in inclusivity.” Chikuni is thrilled to have her as an ambassador for his office. “She has a genuine way of conveying her love for Georgetown College and continues to showcase her amazing abilities to connect with people, engage with students and families, and is always eager to learn!” Abir is also in the Oxford Honors program, which prepares its students to spend a semester at Oxford University. She is already looking forward to that experience, planned for her junior year in the fall of 2023. Here at the College she has found a home away from home in the Phi Mu sorority. “It has provided me with a wonderful support system and sisters that give me so much love and inspire me to love myself and be a better person every day,” she says. While she is focusing on her Georgetown experience for now, Abir has already set goals for graduate school and thinks about ultimately settling in Switzerland, a country she fell in love with for its calm serenity, cleanliness, and natural beauty. She misses the beach and mountains of her native country, her family, and the flavors of her mother’s home cooking, but is content to live in the moment and enjoy being a Tiger for now. Her role as one of the international students on campus already makes her an ambassador to her fellow students, faculty, and staff. She empathizes and connects with people on a personal level, especially those that share her vision of the world’s citizens living in peace with aspirations and hope. “If only our eyes could see the humanity in those we distinguish ourselves from,” says Abir. “Deep within, we are all different. By recognizing other people’s humanity, we are acknowledging our own.”