While pursuing her chemistry classes in war-torn Baghdad, Iraq, Maysaa Moussa never dreamed she would someday be attending MATC. Moussa is one of many students who are taking English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at Oak Creek in order to continue their educational goals. She already has a degree in Chemistry from Al-Mustansiriyah, a public university in Baghdad. With school graduation achieved in Bagdad, Moussa worked in a medical lab.

After the war, Moussa and her family temporarily moved to Lebanon and Jordan in 2005, and with the help of the UN received visas in December, 2008. This made her educational dreams a reality. Moussa also wanted to come to the United States because of what war has done. She misses her parents and friends who are still in Baghdad, and worries everyday about their safety.

Some people ask Moussa why she wears her scarf. She explains that it is a way to show belief in her Muslim faith.

Moussa considers herself lucky to continue her goals along with her two brothers, who are also here in Milwaukee.

The English language presents new challenges different than her native Arabic. But she adds that English is easier to learn than Arabic and she is making good progress in her first class at MATC.