Daniel Afrahim

Graduated in 2006

We came here in September 2003 after a long trip from Shiraz, Iran.  After a few weeks, I started looking for a college to complete my education and learn a profession to build my future. I left my country without finishing high school and, since my English wasn't really good, I couldn't go to any college.  I even got accepted in one college, but there was no way I could afford the tuition.  I was almost sure that it was impossible to continue my education at that point.  Then I found out about Bramson ORT College from one of its graduates in our family. The fact that my father was a student in one of the ORT technical schools in Iran, and that it is a Jewish organization helping Jewish refugees like me, gave me more hope.

Spring 2004 was my first semester and first experience in Bramson ORT College as a computer information systems major.  Also, my mother decided to join me and get a degree as a medical assistant.  I took some graphic design courses.  Shortly after that, I got a part-time internship in the Graphic IQ design firm as a graphic designer from my instructor.   I still continued my education at Bramson ORT. A few months after that, Graphic IQ hired me as a part-time web/graphic designer.

In the Spring 2005 semester, I took a business management course and, with the help of my instructors, started my own business as a freelance web/graphic designer.  Thanks to the calm atmosphere, great instructors and educational system, and ease of access to the most recent technologies like the latest software, I was a top student in all my classes.  In the spring of 2006, I started working for Bramson ORT as a work-study student while I finished my last semester at the College.  My mother and I graduated on the same day and we even started to work at the same time.  Bramson ORT College hired me as part- time designer shortly after I graduated from there with honors.

Today, I'm continuing my education in the New York Institute of Technology while I'm still working for Bramson ORT College and Graphic IQ as a web/graphic designer. Also, as a freelance designer, I have few clients for whom I create custom designs.