Graduate student pursues childhood dream with degree
Neesha Hosein knew at 11 years old that she wanted to be a novelist and storyteller, but her family persuaded her to follow a more “practical” career path. Now, she’s finally taking steps to fulfill her lifelong dream by pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Texas A&M University-Victoria.
For the first 10 years of her working life, she worked in the medical field. Then, in 2004, she saw an advertisement for a small local newspaper that needed a writer, no experience required. She applied and was hired. That was the moment she decided to make a change and start pursuing her lifelong dreams.
“I used to read novels and dream about being able to put words on the page like those writers have,” Hosein said. “I’ve spent years dabbling and writing stories, but now I am learning the inner workings of the craft and the publishing industry. It’s magical to think that I’m finally making that little girl’s dream come true.”
Hosein was one of 20 students who recently attended the university’s MFA Weekend, a two-day series of events and writing exercises hosted by the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences for students and alumni of the A&M-Victoria MFA program. During the weekend, students shared writing pieces, listened to a presentation from a keynote speaker, and interacted with MFA alumni.
“Everybody knows Neesha is something special,” said Anthony Madrid, associate professor of English and creative writing, and director of the creative writing program. “I would say she's one of the two or three sunniest people in Texas – and we have a lot of sunny ones around here.”
Attending the program was more than a fun or fulfilling experience for Hosein. It was a chance for the League City resident to overcome her fear of driving on major highways. Although the thought of making the drive was frightening, she was determined to meet her fellow students and professors face-to-face.
“My family was very encouraging about this trip,” she said. “My oldest son actually surprised me by driving to Victoria ahead of me so he could greet me at the hotel and celebrate this milestone in overcoming my fear. He even came to campus with me to help me find my way around and make sure I wasn’t feeling lost.”
In addition to her family’s encouragement, Hosein is grateful for her husband, who is supporting her studies by being a stay-at-home stepdad for her adult autistic son. While she has focused on her studies and writing in addition to her career in public relations in recent years, he has taken on the primary caregiver role for her son.
“My husband is my champion,” she said. “None of this would be possible if he wasn’t there every day encouraging me while also taking care of my son. I couldn’t be here without his support.”
The MFA Weekend was everything Hosein had hoped for. In addition to finally meeting classmates she had messaged during her online classes, she was able to have in-person mentoring moments with her professors, who have inspired her and helped guide her development as a writer.
“I’ve made so many friends through the online classes, and it’s been amazing to get that in-person vibe,” she said. “I adore these people, so I knew it would be worth it to be here. On top of that, I’ve been able to spend time talking with these truly unique and talented professors. They’re always ready to provide excellent advice and guidance, and just a few moments of conversation can be incredibly impactful.”
As she nears the end of the MFA in creative writing program, Hosein is working on a thesis project that will be a historical fiction novel. Looking back, she is grateful for the supportive writing community that she has become a part of through the program and the knowledge that she takes with her moving forward.
“I hope this program will help me answer the question of what is next for my life and my career,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be a master of this trade and this craft. I have a new appreciation and a better understanding of it now. I feel very lucky to be here in this quiet, wonderful town. I still can’t believe that I’m here doing this, and I’ll never forget the experience I’ve had here.”
For more information about the MFA in creative writing program, contact Madrid at madrida@tamuv.edu.
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.