'Be a leader through women-only colleges'

Sharjah - Mona Khan, who works with Hale Education, was born and brought up in Sharjah and went on to get a full scholarship to an all-women college in the US.

A UAE-based educational consultant is encouraging female students to attend women-only colleges after they graduate as it helps them become "better leaders".
Mona Khan, who works with Hale Education, was born and brought up in Sharjah and went on to get a full scholarship to an all-women college in the US. 
Khan said that all-women colleges offers girls a smaller classroom experience, where they will be encouraged to speak, analyse, develop leadership skills and build a strong relationship with professors who guide you through your professional and personal life.
"I still remember when I first informed family and friends of my decision to attend Mount Holyoke, an all-women's college in the US. They facetiously remarked, 'Is that a medieval convent in the US?', 'aren't you going to miss boys?" and 'all girls school for four years. You will forget how to talk to boys'," Khan said. "While many of my friends were seemingly startled by my choice, I knew it was one of the best decisions of my life.
"Young women, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, should consider the benefits of attending a women's college. You may be surprised, but there are over 40 institutions of higher learning in the US dedicated exclusively to educating women.
"The most reputable women's colleges are the Seven Sisters- founded with the premise of educating women at a time when Ivy League schools were predominantly reserved for men. The Seven Sisters include Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Radcliffe (now part of Harvard), Smith, Vassar (now co-ed) and Wellesley. For generations, women at these colleges have discovered their passions, stretched their horizons and realised their true potential."
Khan said that Hillary Clinton attended Wellesley and Drew Gilpin Faust, the first female president of Harvard University, went to Bryn Mawr. 
Though, some students in Dubai feel that attending all-women colleges may not prepare them properly for the future work environment, where they will have to interact with the other gender.
Wafiya Thoba, a 17-year-old high school student, said: "My whole life I was always in mixed schools of both genders, until I moved to Dubai and went to a segregated high school. At first, the idea of a segregated school seemed so oppressing and boring, but then I realised being in a class with girls only, especially at such a crucial age, really aided in boosting my confidence.
"While I was very insecure in a mixed school, the all-girls class, in fact, gave me a chance to find myself and what I'm into; whereas in a mixed school, I'd always be afraid of being judged." 
"Though for university, I personally wouldn't go to an all-girls college because, after that, you'll be in situations where you have to work and socialise with the other gender. I would feel unready or maybe uncomfortable if the work environment is so different from school."
An Emirati student who currently attends an all-women university in Dubai feels that being in women-only institutions makes no difference.
Khawla Sabil, majoring in psychology, said women in the UAE have already achieved 'great heights', irrespective of being around men or not. "I don't think that attending a women's university has anything to do with becoming the best leader. As you can see, most women in the UAE want to achieve highly in their career, whether it involves men or not," 23-year-old Sabil said.
"To be a better leader, you need skills, passion and leadership to deal with what's surrounding us, even if it includes men."
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
 

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• Sharjah