Dr. Saman Salimian

With their guidance and advice, in my final year of high school I chose Industrial Engineering and continued on to the PhD level. Throughout my studies and in work related to my field, I have always been successful. I never felt tired or stuck in a routine, and I didn’t even realize how time was passing. On the path through life’s challenges and romantic relationships, I have benefited from their guidance. Given their caring nature, good ethics, and impactful words, I strongly recommend seeking counseling with them.

After earning my bachelor’s degree, I had no desire to work in my university field, which was Civil Engineering. I attended an entrance-exam course for a Master’s in Accounting to prepare myself for employment at a bank. With Dr. Salimiyan’s guidance, I decided to switch to teaching advanced mathematics for the entrance exam—something I truly loved. Along this path, Dr. Salimiyan never withheld any help, and they were always a supporter, guide, and effective source of help for me. They taught me, step by step and with patience, work ethic, networking, and how to progress in this field. Indeed, Dr. Salimiyan is my spiritual father.

Following Professor Salami’s advice during my undergraduate studies in Applied Mathematics, I chose that field. His next recommendation was to learn English and continue it through the Iran Language Institute, with the goal of becoming an English teacher. Now, with these two skills, I work online as a math teacher in English for Iranians living abroad, and I earn in dollars. Working from home in a pleasant rural area in Iran, along with sufficient dollar income, has allowed me to be a great mother to my child and to have a satisfying life.

My daughter, after failing to get admitted to the Experimental Sciences track in the university entrance exam, got stuck on the idea of going abroad to study dentistry via a student dispatch company. Because she is an only child and we’re very much her doting parents, I was extremely worried. On the one hand, the dollar exchange rate and the cost of living abroad as a single person worried us a lot. Dr. Salamyian, with three counseling sessions and their effective words, dissuaded my daughter from this path and diagnosed that Aylin truly has the ability to fight for admission to dentistry in Iran, and that she does not want a solitary life abroad or studying with a non-native language. He also convinced Aylin that, due to the difficulty of studying behind the exam curtain (i.e., for retaking the exam), she had turned to searching on Instagram to find a plausible escape route from the entrance exam. Following his recommendation, Aylin chose a university in Iran without the entrance exam. Now Aylin has a part-time student job, studies and works in Iran under the support of me and her father, and she is satisfied with her life. Dr. Salamyian speaks the language of Gen Z and knows the Alpha and Beta generations, and he is capable of persuading this generation.

My daughter was in 9th grade, and she wanted to go into the “experimental sciences” track (so that, ultimately, she could become a doctor) for selecting her 10th-grade track. Based on what I knew about my daughter, she didn’t have the patience for the long path of studying 7 years of general medicine: doing the compulsory service plan, then the specialty entrance exam, followed by 4 years of specialty training, and so on. I was worried that during her residency, under the pressure of studying, she might end up committing suicide. After consulting with Dr. Salamiān and assessing my daughter, we reached the conclusion that, first of all, Maryam was not interested in practicing medicine in a clinic and seeing patients. The MBTI test, to some extent, confirmed that. My daughter is the kind of person who likes searching and doing research-related work, so it would be better for her to study mathematics. After the entrance exam, she should pursue a 4-year bachelor’s degree program in Iran so it finishes sooner. Then she should take an interdisciplinary degree so that, depending on how her work opportunity goes, she can continue; if not, after her bachelor’s (or master’s) degree, we would send her abroad to enter a job related to her field—rather than a general job with low pay. Thank you for the recommendations from Dr. Salamiān. I, myself, after 30 years from finishing my mechanical engineering degree, also decided—out of motivation from Dr. —to take the M.A. entrance exam in restoration of historical artifacts, so I could continue my hopes and dreams in the second half of my life and, as Dr. said, not have a life unlived. Consulting with and getting to know Dr. Salamiān was a turning point in our family’s life.

I’m an eye specialist. Life had become monotonous for me; with three kids and my practice as a doctor, I was exhausted by everyday routine and home life. Through counseling sessions, we came to the conclusion that in the second half of my life, I should pursue my dreams. The Experimental Sciences track, medicine—going into medical specialization was my destiny. With the guidance of the dear Dr. Salimian, without taking the entrance exam, I went to pursue an M.A. in Tourism at the University of Applied Sciences and Technology. New friends, a new world, and new experiences have made my life colorful and beautiful. Thank you to her, and thank God. And now, I’m a happier doctor, a better mother, and the kindest wife for my husband.

I was a student in a regular program at Islamic Azad University. My dad kept pressuring me to get my bachelor’s degree no matter what I wanted to do after that. I didn’t have the confidence to drop out of my studies. I was shy, embarrassed, and introverted. I had a phone consultation with Dr. Salami an, and he helped me realize that my dad’s words are not necessarily correct. I didn’t enjoy my studies, and I was failing my courses. Dr. Salami an made me attend an acting class, and while in the metro, sell small items to interact with society and to treat my annoying shyness—so I could earn money, build my confidence, and be able to tell my father that I wasn’t made for this field in university. Dr. Salami an also advised me to take a cooking class, cook homemade food, and attract customers on Instagram for small gatherings and get-togethers. On my page, I built trust, and now I have a number of regular customers—women—who entrust the hosting of their gatherings to me. I became like their daughter. I found my own identity and independent personality. My dad saw that I’m doing something serious, and he allowed me to give up my studies. I’m happy and making money. With thanks to my dear Dr. Salami an.

Forced and miserable, I got accepted as a mechanic at the University of Applied Sciences outside Tehran. I didn’t like the course at all, but my father kept insisting that I should become an “engineer,” so I stopped the program and went to military service. My father was upset with me. God put Sa lâmiyân in my path and gave me hope. Salamiyân said, “You have to prove yourself to your father.” How? “Beat him in the business of money—get ahead.” I told Dr. Salamiyân that ever since I was a child, I had a love for cooking. When I was a kid, I would make lasagna and pizza in our home oven. I’d soak lavash bread in a pan—with tomato paste and pizza sausage, and then I’d make skillet-style pizzas. That’s what Sa man Salamiyân discovered in me. He said, “Go and work under a few chefs. Take a cooking class. Gather customers.” He put it in my heart. He urged me on and told me, “Start with the military service itself.” During my service, I did only that. I started in the base’s kitchen. During my spare time, I would go to workshops for making omelets, desserts, sauces, and so on. I even borrowed money to pay for my classes. After my military service, through an ad, I landed in one of the awesome restaurants in Tehran’s District 1. I started with simple tasks. Because my mind was working, I optimized the purchase lists and the staff’s work shifts. The restaurant manager promoted me to supervisor, and after some time, I became the manager of a new branch. Salamiyân used to say, “Be ambitious—being an employee isn’t enough. Get out there. Go into business.” He helped me set up the restaurant and get it profitable within six months. God bless his parents. I couldn’t believe it, but now my father finally accepts me.