Mohamed Hegazi, AUS Alumnus and Key Accounts Supervisor at Philip Morris International

Mohamed Hegazi

Mohamed Hegazi studied abroad at Louisiana State University, LA, USA, back in Fall 2013, and the experience impacts his life until today. He is an AUS civil engineering alumnus and a former IXO Peer Advisor, and he currently works as a Key Accounts Supervisor at Philip Morris International in Ukraine. His study abroad played a large role in helping him secure his current job, which takes him all over the world.

Mohamed says his study abroad shaped the person he is today, professionally and personally. "It gave me the opportunity to see the world from a different perspective. [Previously,] I did not have much travel experience. Since my graduation [in Fall 2015], I’ve worked in three different countries and now travel regularly to at least 10 countries a year. I cannot narrow down the most significant gain from the experience because there are too many."

Study abroad didn't help Mohamed find a job, but it helped him get a job. "During the internship challenge at AUS, I spoke about the experiences I had abroad, and I was one of six students offered an internship out of 500," he said. "The internship was at [Philip Morris International,] a multinational company, so studying abroad was a plus. It proved that I was able to interact with a diverse population and it made me stand out."

"I completed the internship one month before I graduated from AUS, and I was offered a full-time job and still work for the same company today," Mohamed said.

"I thank IXO from the bottom of my heart for the opportunities I’ve had, my time [abroad] and the impact it has made on my life."


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Busy Weekend for IXO Students

Our incoming students are deeply involved in the vibrant life at AUS. Over just one weekend, a number of them volunteered to teach CleanCo English classes, participated in the AUS Model Congress, and took part in Al Dhaid's bedouin documentary filming. These endeavors allowed our students to try something new, hone their skills, meet new people, and have fun!

CleanCo English Class

David and his students

David Daugherty is an international business major who joined us this semester from Cedarville University, OH, USA. A few weeks back, he volunteered to teach one of the free English classes provided to the CleanCo staff at AUS. "I wanted to give back to those who give so much to this university," he said. "As I began to settle into my time in the UAE, I met so many amazing workers who do whatever it takes to provide for my needs. Whether I was enjoying a cortado at a local coffee shop or relaxing in the cleanliness of my own dorm room, I owed so much to those unseen heroes. As such, I jumped at the chance to meet more friendly faces and help them practice a skill that may help them in the future."

David himself got a lot out of teaching the class: "I honestly had so much fun. I really like leading discussions and public speaking. I enjoyed getting to know each of the students' personalities and skill levels as we practiced new vocabulary together. Who knows, maybe I'll be a full-time instructor someday! I still see those guys around campus and they repeat to me some of the words that we learned together. I know that learning a language can be difficult so I'm really proud of them all. They seem like hard workers and I hope that my efforts at least helped them gain some confidence."

"Sure, my one class didn't change anyone's life - I just want to take every opportunity possible to draw attention to their dignity as fellow human beings, worthy of all the same respect that they've shown me. I wish them the best as they move forward!"

AUS Model Congress

Rachel Iverson at the Model Congress

Several of our students and IXO team members took part in this year's AUS Model Congress. Rachel Iverson, our incoming international relations major from Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, USA, served as Vice President (co-chair) of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. "At my home university, I have been an avid participant in Model United Nations and Model Arab League through my school’s United Nations International Relations Club, at which I served as an executive board member last year," she said. "I had never participated in a Model Congress and it sounded very fun. I was torn on taking part in it but I’m so glad I decided to participate as a chair."

Rachel and fellow committee members

"I got to work with amazing teens and young adults ranging in age from 12 to 22 in my committee. My participation allowed me to serve as a role model for the young delegates as well as to make lifelong friends with people from all over the world."

IXO team members Bayan Al-Masri, Zara Khan, and Elizabeth Atork also took part in the AUSMC. Bayan, an IXO publicity specialist, played the role of Vice President of the National Security Council. "My role enabled me to guide the sessions with my co-chair, the President, as well as take part in debate with my delegates," she said.

Bayan at the AUSMC

Bayan decided to participate in the Model Congress because it is unique in this region: "AUS does the only Model Congress in the region, and this is only the second year they do it - yet we hosted over 1,000 people for the weekend it took place. Being able to help moderate and elevate the experience for our delegates was something I'm truly proud of having been a part of."

Bayan and fellow committee members

When asked what her favorite moment of the AUSMC was, Bayan said there were numerous moments to choose from. "Perhaps my favorite one was watching a delegate challenge a chair (a notion unique to Model Congress) and debate him over his decision," she said.

On the other hand, our peer advisor Zara served as an Attorney in the Supreme Court and even won the Distinguished Delegate award. "I was a petitioner for Planned Parenthood and a respondent for the Federal Circuit Court," she said.

"[Through delegating at the Model Congress], I gained great public speaking and debating skills. Attorneys were questioned on the spot, so I also learned how to articulate arguments off-the-cuff. Through the research I had to do in order to prepare, I also got a lot more exposure to various laws and issues that are relevant not only in the USA but also globally. Moreover, it was a great opportunity to meet different people and make new connections."

Zara with her Distinguished Delegate award

Al Dhaid Bedouin Documentary Filming

This semester, Al Dhaid invited our students to participate in the filming of their documentary about international students experiencing the bedouin lifestyle. Our students got to do lots of exciting things as part of the filming, including riding camels, going to a shooting range, watching camel racing, and visiting a museum for classic cars.

At the shooting range

Kenzo Scheerlinck, our Fall 2019 student from Loyola University, Chicago, IL, USA, experienced a first during the filming: "I loved riding a camel around. It was a blast, considering I'd never done anything like that before," he said. He also greatly enjoyed talking with Mr. Khalifa: "He was a very interesting person who knew so much about everything!"

Kenzo riding a camel

All that over three days - our students are clearly making the most of their time here!


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Summer at the University of Oxford

Salma Elgerby at our office

English major Salma Elgerby had a genuinely special semester abroad at the University of Oxford's Exeter College, Oxford, England, in Summer 2019. From Harry Potter-esque house sorting to one-on-one tutorials with faculty, Salma got to enjoy the uniquely British character of the college - and she wishes the experience had never ended. She told us a bit about her time there, and on Nov. 17, she will deliver the bulk of our information session about this program to encourage other AUS students to take the opportunity.

Salma absolutely loved the experience and said the "worst thing about it is that it ended." She said the Exeter College Summer Program provides 'Program Ambassadors,' who are like parents. The 83 students who attended last summer were divided into houses, like in Harry Potter and as is typical of the British system. Each house had a 'parent' (who was actually another Oxford student) to provide guidance and organize a wide range of daily activities for the students. The students got to do 3-4 activities per day, including punting on the river, boutique shopping, trips to London to visit The Shakespeare Globe Theatre, and more. Salma added that the housing itself was like a hotel - it was extremely nice and even better than she expected.

Salma took two courses during the summer: Literatures of Modernism, which transferred back to AUS as a 3-credit course, and Moral Philosophy. The credits for the latter didn't transfer, but she loved the course and was really glad to have taken it. She said there was a heavy reading load, but it was manageable, and she got an A- in both courses. The structure for Oxford courses is quite different from AUS; for each course, they have six lectures (of 1.5 hours each, and with little student participation), then six seminars (with lots of discussion and participation), and then four tutorials. According to Salma, the tutorials were the best part, as they had two-on-one or even one-on-one discussions with faculty, which resulted in very intellectual conversations.

We asked her about why she was okay taking courses when she knew the credits wouldn't transfer, and she said there was a lot of value and knowledge in that course. She added that this whole opportunity led to recommendation letters from Oxford faculty and contacts all over the world, and you never really know where all that could lead to.


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Embracing the Unexpected: Ali Srour's Semester in the Netherlands

Ali Srour at a carnival in the Netherlands

Some of the best things that happen to you are things that you didn't plan for. Ali Srour knows this firsthand. Before Ali headed to the Netherlands for his semester abroad at Tilburg University, he wrote a letter to himself detailing the goals he wanted to achieve during his time abroad. Things didn't go exactly as he mapped them out, but Ali had an exciting, unique, colorful experience regardless - and he plans to return to the Netherlands for his graduate studies.

Ali is a finance major and psychology minor. His fields of study were the main reasons he chose to go to Tilburg University in Spring 2019: "Tilburg is one of the top 50 universities worldwide in business, economics, law and psychology, so I chose it for that," he said. The first unplanned aspect of his journey was that the Netherlands and Tilburg University were his fourth option, preceded by three universities in New Zealand.

Ali reads from the letter he wrote to himself: "I wrote, 'I'm probably not going to read this letter because I will stay [in the Netherlands], but if I don't then that means I came back for graduation and that I will be going back there afterwards.' Which is true, I came back for graduation," he said. "My goals there were to get a scholarship, an internship, a job offer, [and] to have a plan for me to migrate there. See, I didn't get a scholarship because they only give them to Dutch students there. As for the internship, they prefer native Dutch speakers. I couldn't get the job offer because I couldn't get an internship, but I definitely have a plan now."

Ali with his letter to himself and IXO Publicity Specialist Bayan Al-Masri

Laughing, he adds, "I also [wrote] a small note for myself, which is 'Keep It Simple, Stupid.' Because I was really anxious about it, and I was planning a lot and going crazy."

During his time abroad, Ali took up cycling, which is very popular in the Netherlands. "I went on bicycle trips from one town to another, which was a distance of around 150 km. It’s like going to Abu Dhabi, but by bicycle. Traveling is really easy over there because if you have a residence permit, you can go to any European country [in the EU] without a visa. For example, if you wanted to go from Tilburg to Paris, it’s only 50 euros, which is about 200 dirhams. I also once travelled across all the towns and cities of the Netherlands on a train."

Ali was the only Arab and Muslim there during his semester abroad, but he managed to befriend many people from different backgrounds. "My closest friend [there] was a Norwegian guy. He was in the room next to mine. I was also friends with a Turkish guy. And I made a lot of friends through playing sports, namely powerlifting and football," he said.

Ali and friends at the carnival

Once Ali graduates from AUS, he plans to return to the Netherlands. "I'm going to do my master's degree in Leiden University, which is one of the top universities in the country. I [now] have a very good idea of how the system works there; I know the fees, how much you would earn in a part-time job, the living costs. So the experience readied me for the real deal, and it was a great experience; I would recommend it for sure."

Watch a video Ali made about his semester abroad:

Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Snapshots and Memories: Madiha Taha's Winter Photography Tour in Bulgaria

Madiha Taha is an AUS multimedia design alum who went on a New Year Photography Tour in Bulgaria two years ago. She shares her experience in this blog post.

Madiha in Bulgaria

"Eight days of photography in Bulgaria." The poster showed a sunrise washing over endless mountains. Another had a waterfall captured like a still time-lapse, seemingly mid-flow. A hot air balloon hovered over rolling hills and valleys. I thought about it on my way to a studio in CAAD, the College of Architecture, Art and Design.

The field of multimedia design is what it sounds like: a salad bowl of mediums. From interactive installations and apps to film editing and animation, there’s a spectrum of expression to explore. At AUS, design students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge in multiple directions. One opportunity I became aware of was a photography tour offered by an AUS professor in collaboration with a National Geographic photographer. Professor Phil Sheil [at the Department of Art and Design in CAAD] and his wife Karin came together with Evo Danchev to offer this Bulgaria Photography Tour. Every time I passed one of their posters in CAAD, I would stop and read about the trip. A photograph of the gorgeous landscape spoke for itself.

It was around 20 degrees Celsius below zero in Bulgaria that winter. Although freezing, those weather conditions really transformed the environment in stunning ways. We captured photos of suspended icicles, walked across frozen waterfalls and rose above mountain mist on a chair lift at a ski resort. Every area we drove to looked incredibly distinct.

One of Madiha's photographs in Bulgaria

The schedule of the trip was flexible. We would find ourselves waking up early to catch the sunrise in a hot air balloon and staying up late to photograph the stars. Horse riding or skiing? A sunken church or another cave? We were driving and trekking to the best lookout points and hidden locations of each area. Our guides knew Bulgaria like the backs of their hands. It made a world of difference to have Evo, a local Bulgarian photographer, to speak to townspeople and introduce us to local delicacies.

This trip had layers of teaching. Professor Sheil and Evo constantly gave on-the-go instruction about photography techniques and how to use our gear. They would check details like aperture and shutter speed, and advise you on how to approach taking your photograph depending on the lighting, composition, point of interest, etc. The second layer of instruction was one-on-one reviews. Every couple of days, Professor Sheil would sit down with each individual and go through their photos with them, while discussing editing techniques like bracketing. This was beneficial because we were able to get individual feedback and implement it during the trip, instead of just afterwards. My favorite part of the trip was gathering for group reviews. We had three group critiques to present our best work and hear what everyone thought of it. This was a lot of fun because people were very supportive and insightful. We had different levels of experience, but we all produced beautiful photographs.

Landscape photography was an area I never touched upon until this point, so it was outside my comfort zone. Some areas of art and design can be difficult to dive into. Sometimes there’s an ‘in’ crowd of designers who share expertise and it can be intimidating to a student who simply enjoys photography and has one old camera lens. However, there really was something in this trip for everyone. I was taking photographs with a medical student and a writer! The mentors were very accommodating towards participants with different skill levels, as professors tend to be, so the trip really was for beginners and professionals who have a shared passion. One-on-one feedback was always available, as we were not a very large group. It felt like a specialized hands-on course at AUS because it was educational and the mentors were very receptive to our questions and enthusiasm.

University is the best platform to try new things, from community service to sightseeing to developing new skills and making new friends. I’m grateful I had this opportunity to take my landscape photography skills further in a fun, educational trip with mentors I trust and friends who shared the same interest.

Summer at Stanford University, as Told By Hajar El Mouttaqui

Hajar at the Stanford University campus

It's not every day that you get the opportunity to study at Stanford University. We're thrilled to bring to you the story of Hajar El Mouttaqui, a finance major who had a very fulfilling study abroad under the International Honors Program at Stanford University, California, USA last summer. Although the credits she earned during her time abroad will not be transferred due to lower contact hours than required at AUS, Hajar found the program to be completely worthwhile and says it is one of the best things she's ever done.

The Stanford summer program came as an unexpected, golden opportunity for Hajar. "In the beginning, all I knew is that I made a decision to take summer courses abroad. I did my research and chose a couple of programs in Europe. Then one day, I received an email from Dr. Linda announcing Stanford's International Honors Program. I literally forgot about all the other programs and started applying to this one," she said.

Entrance to Stanford

The Summer Session office at Stanford had a lot of activities planned for the incoming IHP students. "There were some fun activities such as trips to UC Berkeley, Santa Cruz, California's Great America theme park, and many more. We also did some residential hall activities such as resumé-writing workshops, study sessions, talks with expert guest speakers, and so on. These activities really helped us explore the Bay Area and our campus. We also had the chance to meet innovative leaders and experts, whether they were faculty members or guest speakers."

Hajar with fellow AUS students at Stanford

Bird's-eye view of the Stanford campus

California was even better than Hajar expected. "[California] is a magical land where dreams do come true," she said. "It provides an open environment that encourages people to be more creative, innovative and most importantly, to be themselves. My favorite parts were Stanford University's campus, Santa Cruz Boardwalk and San Francisco."

Stanford campus at night

During her summer abroad, Hajar took three courses: "I took Introduction to Operations Management with Professor Richard Kim, Introduction to Decision Making with Professor Burke Robinson, and Intermediate Hip Hop with Professor Ronnie Reddick. The best course was Introduction to Decision Making because it was an unusual course that is not available here at AUS. This course basically walks you through the steps of making a decision using multiple analytical tools such as decision trees, tables and diagrams, risk tolerance, and net present values."

Hajar genuinely cherishes her time at Stanford. "I can confidently say that my summer at Stanford was the best experience I've ever had," she said. "Even though the credits don't transfer, the knowledge is definitely worth it. Do not think about this experience as a bunch of courses that you'll take for two months. Instead, think about the friendships you'll make, the knowledge you'll acquire, the unique and innovative courses you'll take, the fun you'll have, and the multicultural environment that you'll live in. I really wish that many more students would take advantage of this opportunity and I really hope that AUS encourages them to go on such adventures, either by providing more incentives or by recognizing such experiences."


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Working Across Continents: Islam Al-Qaisi's Story

Islam Al-Qaisi

We always love to catch up with our former team members about everything they've done since we last saw them. Islam Al-Qaisi is our former Peer Advisor and an AUS chemical engineering alum who graduated in 2015, and he dropped by the office for a chat a couple of weeks ago. He is a commercial manager at Kpler and a former employee at an international oil company called Total, and these jobs have taken him around the world from France to India to South Africa. Islam says he's become a better person for it, and he traces these opportunities all the way back to the skills he learned during his study abroad in 2013-14 and his time at IXO.

During his study abroad at Montana State University, MT, USA, Islam developed communication skills that have come in handy no matter where he goes. "I've traveled to Turkey, India, France, and many other countries to do business. My job requires me to meet government officials, CEOs, and senior managers. Communicating with these people requires good interpersonal skills, and I have been blessed enough to acquire those skills from my study abroad experience, as I can comfortably speak with others from different countries and whatever their seniority level," he said.

In Paris, France

Emotional intelligence has been one of the most important skills Islam acquired during his study abroad. "Understanding someone else's point of view, especially coming from a different culture, is a useful skill to have in the real world," he said. "I have traveled and lived abroad for professional work in South Africa. My time there was an opportunity to immerse myself in the culture and the people. South Africa is known for the diverse ethnic backgrounds of its people, and I was able to be friends with everyone."

At a safari in South Africa

It is important to Islam to be a good representation of his culture when he travels. "I always remain an ambassador of my principles, my culture and my religion whenever I travel abroad. I value letting people understand where I come from and clearing their preconceptions about being someone from the Middle East," he said.

Working at IXO helped Islam develop several professional and personal skills. "From the professional side, I've gained better communication and interpersonal skills, I've learned to work smart instead of work hard, and I developed time management, risk management, and good planning skills. As for the personal aspect: life became more positive. Public speaking became easier. And I became more family oriented since I felt the difference when I was living independently abroad."

Islam looks back at his time at IXO very fondly. "I always brag about being a Peer Advisor at IXO - I always say that this is where teamwork happens. It was an unforgettable experience; it's always been fun times working at IXO. I worked with an amazing team, and we still go out together for reunions. I remember the good reviews I got from the study abroad students at the end of the semester, which still helps me until now. It gives me the motivation to keep getting better."


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Volunteering, Interning, and Seeing the World: Suhair Remzi's Study Abroad

Suhair at an internship event

We have recently welcomed back Suhair Remzi, who is an Ethiopian international relations major who studied at George Washington University, WA, DC, USA, for the academic year 2018-19. She is joining our ranks at IXO this semester as a volunteer Peer Advisor. Suhair now says she divides her life into "before GWU" and "after GWU"; she had truly dynamic, diverse experiences during her time abroad that changed her as a person. Suhair's study abroad gave her the opportunity to do fulfilling work at Action for Hope, the Eurasia Center, and AIESEC, all of which gave her skills, confidence and experience closely related to her degree in international relations.

During Suhair's first semester at GWU, she participated in a leadership training program that, coupled with the study abroad experience itself, inspired her to take full advantage of all opportunities that opened to her during her time abroad. "The leadership program allowed me to come out of my comfort zone and put myself out there," she said. "It taught me the essential skills and techniques I need in order to handle challenges from different perspectives. Through the program, I got the opportunity to get to know myself more by exploring my qualities and testing my self-confidence and emotional intelligence."

With leadership program coordinators and classmates

That summer, Suhair did a two-month internship at Action for Hope, a USA-based non-profit organization that supports children and women in Africa. "My experience at the non-profit was beyond amazing. The organization aligned with my interest in international development, specifically youth and women's empowerment in Africa. The internship offered me a hands-on experience on non-profit management, proposal writing, and strategic planning and research."

She then went on to intern at the Eurasia Center for six months, during which she worked as a research assistant in their new Africa program, "Uplifting Africa," with a focus on their women’s program in Sub-Saharan Africa. She says that this was a truly enriching and interesting experience: "I not only gained skill sets that would allow me to pursue my interests and advance in my career, but I also learned so much about myself. I was able to see my potential in the work sector and reflect on my strengths and weaknesses. Working at the organization allowed me to know what I actually want to do and the cause I want to work for. Thus I believe my internship at the Eurasia Center was a valuable experience that has influenced the course of my life."

Throughout her time in Washington, DC, Suhair also gained the invaluable experiences of volunteering at the World Bank and IMF Headquarters. "I [met] officials from all over the world," she said. "I attended international events and conventions and networked with high-ranking professionals from my field. In addition, I was able to have an amazing experience with the wonderful people I  met and the exciting trips I made to places like New York, California and Georgia."

And just this last summer, Suhair was an AIESEC volunteer in Italy, where she taught English to Italian children and worked on a social farm, among other things. She got to travel around Italy quite a lot, spending time in several different cities and towns. She speaks very passionately about her time volunteering: "My AIESEC volunteer experience in Italy truly transformed me as a person," she said. "The journey has touched my heart and granted me wonderful experiences with the new knowledge I have gained, the captivating places I have traveled to, and the amazing people I have met. Moreover, it led me to test my physical and professional abilities and allowed me to learn a lot more about my career and my personal life. Traveling to Italy for the volunteering made me more confident, optimistic, and fearless and gave me a global mindset and a different vision and perspective towards my life."

Volunteering in Italy

All of these various experiences have informed Suhair's major in international relations. "As an international relations student, I definitely believe that studying abroad has allowed me to have a better understanding of my major. First of all, it was fascinating taking international relations courses in a different university and attending classes with people with a different understanding of the world. Having those discussions gives you the opportunity to see things from a new perspective and it allows you to have a more well-rounded and global mindset. Furthermore, one of the main skills necessary in international relations is the ability to adapt to new cultures, peoples and environments. Studying abroad definitely allows you to gain the adaptability skills needed to work in a dynamic and ever-changing environment."

Suhair says that studying abroad is what opened these opportunities to her and encouraged her to take them: "After realizing my capabilities in the program, I started putting myself out there and I began truly being open to trying the things I am interested in. Since I became confident in my skills and my ability to contribute in new environments, I had no fear of going for the things I wanted to pursue."

Reflecting on her time abroad overall, Suhair says that it fundamentally changed who she is as a person. "My study abroad program was one of the best experiences I've had and it has hugely impacted the course of my life. Before my study abroad, I was not the most sociable person and I did not always try the things I was interested in. However, I can now truly say that I have become a person that enjoys meeting new people and is willing to try all the things I am interested in. I became more independent, optimistic and open-minded. Moreover, the experience has given me the confidence and the strong belief that I am able to achieve anything that I set my mind to."


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Himo Owais, Water Design Engineer at Jacobs and Former IXO Peer Advisor

Himo during his time abroad in the USA

Many graduating students worry about securing employment once they're out of university. Competition is high in today's crowded job market, and employers favor candidates with useful skills and experience. Ibrahim "Himo" Owais is a former IXO Peer Advisor and AUS civil engineering graduate who recently landed a job as a water design engineer at Jacobs in Dubai. Himo's study abroad at Virginia Tech, VA, USA in Spring 2018 and his subsequent work at IXO helped him gain job skills and international experience that helped him find work fresh out of graduation.

Himo said his semester abroad at Virginia Tech helped him develop intercultural skills: "Studying abroad made me get out of my comfort zone and helped me realize my strengths and weaknesses that I never realized I had, and this made me learn more about myself and get to work on the weaknesses I saw in myself," he said. "Moreover, Jacobs is an international company so being able to adapt to different cultures and getting to tag along with others are essential skills for them and studying abroad helped me learn these skills easily."

Beyond gaining skills, Himo also racked up work experience during his time abroad: "I worked part-time at the dining hall in Virginia Tech. This was a great experience as I got to meet different types of people from different backgrounds. It was a huge learning experience and a plus on my resume which I believe helped me a lot in getting the job."

Working at IXO after returning from his study abroad gave Himo professional skills and a second family: "More than just an experience [listed] on my resume, [working at IXO] taught me a lot. Being a Peer Advisor and an Event Coordinator taught me a lot of stuff that I know I will use in the professional world. One of those things is that my colleague Sawi and I took full responsibility for the events for incoming students, which I believed is a lot of pressure because the incoming students' experiences counted on us. And I'm proud to say that all the events went smoothly and all the students, including us, the Peer Advisors, enjoyed them. Other than that, I had the opportunity to take full responsibility for projects given by Dr. Linda, such as the orientation [for incoming students] which was a long project and was successful. This made me way more confident to explain to the interviewers that I can handle responsibility with ease and without hesitation. Another skill which is important, especially as an engineer, is being a team player, and working with a team such as the IXO team helped me and taught me a lot. I never thought I would get to call a team from my job as a family but I'm more than proud to call my IXO team my second family."

Himo has global goals for his work at Jacobs: "Working at Jacobs will help me prosper as an engineer and I know that I'll learn a lot from it as it is well-known globally in the field I'm going to be working in, which is water design," he said. "Other than that, one of my short-term goals is to go the other offices of Jacobs around the world and get to learn the applications of water design in different countries and regions, because that will make me stand out from other engineers."

Finally, Himo is very grateful for all the experiences that have gotten him to where he is today: "My experiences during my study abroad and as an IXO Peer Advisor are the reason I got this exciting job offer from Jacobs which will give me a great push in my career. I couldn't be more happy and proud of myself that I got out of my comfort zone and actually took the brave step to go abroad. Overall, this was a one-of-a-kind experience and the best experience I've had so far and I would never trade it for anything!" Thank you for all your contributions to IXO, Himo, and we hope good things always come your way!


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

How Study Abroad Brings Graduate School Opportunities: Dinete and Vishnu's Stories

Dinete Kollanur and Vishnu Narayanan are two of our former Peer Advisors who have recently been admitted to graduate school in the USA and Australia, respectively. They have both spent a semester abroad and started working at IXO after returning to AUS. Dinete and Vishnu told us about how their experiences abroad have given them the skills and opportunity to attend their graduate schools of choice and how their work at IXO has helped them prepare for graduate school and the professional world.

Dinete at a football game in South Carolina

Dinete is an accounting and business/management alum who studied abroad at the University of South Carolina, SC, USA, in Spring 2016. He will now be pursuing a Master of Tourism Administration with a concentration in sustainable tourism development at George Washington University, DC, USA. Dinete said his semester at the University of South Carolina gave him the motivation and skills to pursue graduate school abroad: "Studying abroad at USC instilled in me the desire to go abroad and study further in another country as I had a wonderful study abroad experience and it made me learn to be more independent, responsible and most importantly, to adapt outside my comfort zone. Some skills that I would say I picked up were being organized, sticking with a routine every day, cooking skills which I thought I had none of, and the ability to talk to a stranger and have a conversation, as I was often an introvert."

For Dinete, the perks of study abroad when it comes to graduate school started as early as the application process: "While I was applying for my study abroad application, I developed the skills to do research on the university that I was interested in," he said. "[These skills] helped me shortlist some good universities [for graduate school] like GWU. After I got accepted into GWU, the process that I had to do of filling in forms and documents to the university was similar to what I had to do once I got accepted into USC [for study abroad], such as [filling in] immunization forms and forms for a student visa, payment types, course registration, orientation about studying in the USA, and so on. I had previously completed such forms while studying abroad and it came in handy when submitting my forms to GWU for graduate school as I knew the process beforehand."

Moreover, his study abroad directly helped him in getting graduate school opportunities: "To begin with, I did get admitted into USC's graduate school program, but I thought it would be nice to try out a new university where I hadn't been before," he said. "But yes, studying abroad in the USA [allowed] my character to develop in a new country and this was highlighted when I did an interview call with GWU's representative. Also, by now, it's [well-known] that the more international background you have, the more likely it is for people in schools or even at companies to accept you, as we are all moving towards a diverse and globalized world. For me, showing that I had studied abroad in the USA helped me get into graduate schools in the country, but I'm sure even if you had studied abroad in Europe or Asia and applied to the USA or vice versa, your chances of getting accepted would be better than if you hadn't studied abroad."

When Dinete returned to AUS from his study abroad, he started working as a Peer Advisor at our office, and he said this experience gave him an advantage in the professional world: "[At IXO], I was able to demonstrate great team work and communication skills," he said. "As a tour guide for visiting delegates, I was able to present myself and converse with higher level managements with more confidence and courage. Time management was another skill that I picked up working as a Peer Advisor at IXO and I was also able to improve my Microsoft Office skills by doing certain projects at the office. In terms of whether it helps in graduate school, I'm sure that working in IXO will definitely help me settle down in a new city and new university. This is because the experience we Peer Advisors had in settling other incoming study abroad students at AUS will come in handy, such as some of the tips we gave them regarding being responsible, adjusting to a new country and so on. Being around a diverse faculty and students will also help me have no barriers when it comes to making friends at GWU. I have also been in contact with some former GWU students who had studied abroad at AUS, and they have been quite friendly and welcoming to their university."

Dinete has long-term goals that he would like to achieve through obtaining a Master of Tourism Administration at GWU: "After working for two years in an e-commerce tourism company called Tajawal in Dubai, I preferred to stick in the same industry and I have certain goals that I would like to achieve in the next 10 years. As I have a passion for travelling and exploring new countries, I would like to help others also achieve my same passion in developing countries in South Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and other areas of the globe where tourism is still not fully developed. I would also like to encourage people from these countries to explore more from outside their boundaries by making travel cheap, safe and convenient for everyone so that the people from these countries can bring different ideas from outside their countries and help develop their economy."

Vishnu in the Netherlands

Vishnu studied abroad at Maastricht University in the Netherlands in Fall 2017. He worked as a Peer Advisor at IXO ever since returning to AUS until he graduated in Spring 2019 with a major in finance. Vishnu will now be pursuing a Juris Doctor (J.D), a postgraduate law degree, at Sydney Law School at the University of Sydney, Australia. He said studying abroad at Maastricht University was one of the most enriching experiences he's ever had: "I can always go on about the number of things I got to learn and the different perspectives it's given me on various things. However, what I would cherish the most from my study abroad experience, and what I think would help me the most as I leave for graduate school, is the self-belief I gained with respect to taking care of myself. Growing up as an only child, especially in a city such as Dubai, I always doubted my capabilities to live the independent life. During my semester abroad I was able to gain the skills and capabilities necessary for taking care of myself. These skills are what I believe have made the aspect of doing graduate school in a place I've never been to, such as Australia, less daunting," he said.

Like Dinete, Vishnu's experience with filling out an application for study abroad helped when the time came to apply to graduate school: "The application process for graduate school was a bit more sophisticated than the study abroad application," he said. "However, having done the study abroad application, I was able to understand the importance of being patient with applications, as it's important to take your time and complete the required forms without any mistakes. This made my graduate school application a lot easier."

Vishnu's time abroad had a significant effect on his decision to go to graduate school in Australia: "My study abroad experience led me to meeting students from across the world, and a handful of the friends I made happened to be from Australia," he said. "Before meeting them, I was quite unaware of what life was like down there, but thereafter, they changed my perspective on what it's like in Australia. It was through them that I got to know how inclusive, diverse and exciting life is in Australia and I do believe this had a huge impact on my decision to choose my destination for graduate school."

Through his time working at IXO, Vishnu got a glimpse of the professional world: "Working at IXO was a great experience, one that I'll always be grateful for. I joined the office so that I can urge others to have the same experience as I did. But working in this office let me do so much more than just that. It gave me a chance to meet and interact with people from different parts of the world, every semester. The people I met through working in this office helped me understand things from a different perspective. Moreover, I was able to build wonderful relationships with my colleagues, to the extent that this office had become my home away from home. Hence, after working at IXO, I was able to gain great insight into what working at a professional environment may be like and the importance of keeping the relations with your colleagues."

Vishnu is thinking internationally for where he wants to go from graduate school: "Sydney Law School is considered as one of the most prestigious law schools, not just in Australia, but across the world. The course is meant to last three years, and during these three years, I look forward to learning, entering the field of law and hopefully working full time in Australia by the end of it. I would also be keeping an eye on international opportunities that would allow me to travel around the world."

With the skills and experience they gained from their study abroad and their time working at IXO, Dinete and Vishnu were able to earn their spots at graduate schools which will help them immensely in furthering their academic and professional careers. Thank you for your contributions to IXO, Dinete and Vishnu, and warmest congratulations for your success! Here's wishing you good luck for a bright and prosperous future!


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Nathan Zolynsky, Incoming Summer 2019 Student

Nathan Zolynsky

Nathan Zolynsky joined us for the Summer 2019 semester from Central Michigan University, MI, USA. He studies personal finance planning and Spanish, and he stayed in the UAE for around six weeks. Nathan wanted to make the most of his time in a foreign country; for this reason, he went on a gastronomic mission to try as many new foods as he could. He also explored various locations within the UAE and even took a flight to Turkey, and all of those experiences expanded his worldview on this region.

So why did Nathan pick the UAE as his study abroad destination? "When a lot of people study abroad, they go to places like Italy, England, and other places in Europe, and I kind of wanted to be different. I also wanted to take courses that would complete my major [requirements], and AUS was a place I found that was able to offer me a course I needed," he said.

Exploring the UAE

"I've liked it a lot here," Nathan said. "Although, it's hotter than I expected. I knew it was going to be hot, but I didn't quite realize it was going to be this hot. But it's great, and there's lots of things to do in Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other places." Nathan went to many spots in the UAE with IXO: "We went on a day trip to Abu Dhabi, we went to Yas Mall, Qasr al Watan, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Dubai Mall and the top of Burj Khalifa." Nathan also made some trips independently of IXO: "I've gone places with some [other] study abroad students; we went to the Jumeirah Beach, and I've been to the Dubai Marina and the City Walk. I really liked the Dubai Marina, it was very nice to walk around, seeing the water," he said.

Interior of Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Burj Khalifa in Dubai

On a (Food) Mission

During his time in the UAE, Nathan had a mission to try foods that weren't going to be readily available back home. "I wanted to try as many different foods as I could [while I was here], because it's more authentic here, and I think the food is also cheaper than in the USA," he said. "Ordering out and getting something I don't know is almost like Christmas to me, because I kind of know what I'm going to get, but I don't really know, it could be very different. So, the other day, I ordered shish tawook, and that's all it said on the menu on Talabat, and I said OK, I know what that is. But it was around 42 Dhs., so I thought it's more on the expensive side, so it must not just be the chicken. So when it came to me in a large box, it had the chicken, it had fries, hummus, some garlic sauce and bread, so it was a lot more than that so I was really excited," he laughed. "And it was really good. Every time I get something, it's different."

Nathan even keeps track of the foods he's tried on a list. He has his favorites and not-so-favorites: "Of course, shawarma is really good, I've tried the different kinds from different places. Koshari is also really good. I didn't exactly know what it was, but it was recommended to me and I really enjoyed it. Fatteh was also great. I've also tried fūl, but I didn't like it too much. Maybe it's better mashed? I've also had some chicken mandi and some other Indian food like butter chicken, and the biryani has also been really good. And I went to McDonald's and had the McArabia, because I can't have that at home," he said.

Mandi lunch on an IXO outing to Old Dubai

Trip to Istanbul

The diverse foods that Nathan had in the UAE reflect the international nature of the country. Another thing that illustrates this is the ease of travel from the UAE: "Being this far from home has given me the opportunity to also go to other places that are more accessible," Nathan said. "I just got back from Istanbul in Turkey [where I stayed] for just under three days. I was able to see most of the city, which was beautiful. It's very different from Dubai, which is more modern since it's come out in the last 30 years, whereas Istanbul has been around for 1,500 years. Being able to see the [Sultan Ahmed Mosque] and Galata Tower, and try their food as well, it was a really good experience. And also to get out of the heat a little bit; the weather was definitely a lot cooler. I know there's a lot more of Turkey that I haven't explored, so I would definitely go back," he said.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul

Nathan at Galata Tower in Istanbul

Travelling Solo

Nathan experienced solo travel for the first time during his time abroad: "It's been interesting because I made some friends while I was here, but I've mostly been travelling alone, which isn't something I've really done [before]. Whenever my family has been lucky enough to go on vacation, we go as a family, and this has given me an opportunity and forced me to just be with myself and not be hanging out with others all the time. So it's kind of an opportunity for a little introspection, to be able to like being with myself," he said.

Nathan in Istanbul

"But I also realize that I need human interaction as well," Nathan adds. "You can't just sit in your room by yourself all the time. It's nice to talk with other people as well, and I like hearing what other people think about the USA, what they had to say about our government, culture, people, and what they think we are like."

Cultural Shock & Lessons Learned

Nathan faced some cultural shock during his time in the UAE, but it was positive in a way: "I knew this was a diverse country, but at least in AUS, I've been shocked at how many different nationalities there are. Everyone is seemingly from a different place, and in the USA I feel like we're kind of taught - whether it's intentional or not - that the whole Arab world is lumped into one box, when in reality, the different cultures and nationalities are all very distinct," he said.

So does he recommend studying abroad in the Middle East? "I would recommend it, especially if you're from the USA, and you want to get a [broadened] worldview," he said. "Because in the media, we're fed mostly bad things about the Middle East as a whole, and saying 'Middle East' is a very blanket statement; it's a large area of different cultures, not just one Middle Eastern culture. The USA is supposed to be a melting plot, but where I'm from, my hometown and university, is [not very diverse]. So getting to do things and take classes with people who are different from me has been a good experience, so I can now be more comfortable when I'm around other people. Being here has definitely opened my eyes to this part of the world."

Nathan would love to return to the UAE in the future. "I would like to come back in a while, not soon, because I want to see the development. I know how much this country has developed in 30 years, and I want to see where it is in a while. I'll definitely come back in the winter," he laughed.


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Dr. María del Pilar-Blanco Parra, Ph.D., Marine Biologist

Every semester, AUS hosts scholars from various fields to do research at our university. Dr. María del Pilar-Blanco Parra is one of those scholars, and her field of research is one of the most unusual ones we've seen yet. Dr. Parra is a marine biologist and researcher at the University of Quintana Roo in Mexico. During her stay at AUS from May to June, she contributed to research about fish by sharing her experience in the field.

Why AUS? 

Dr. Parra is originally from Colombia, where she obtained her bachelor's in marine biology at Jorge Tadeo Lozano University in Bogotá. She later earned her master's and doctorate from the Institute of Limnology and Marine Sciences at the National University of Mexico. Dr. Parra came to AUS for one month to participate in research on fish led by Dr. Ivonne Bejarano at the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences. "We wanted to share our experiences, because I have some experience on this kind of research on fish. So we wanted to sum these two experiences to do it better," Dr. Parra said.

This is Dr. Parra's first time in the Middle East. So why did she choose to come to AUS specifically? "I met Dr. Bejarano years ago, so I just wanted to come here to share with her and learn more about the research that is going on here at AUS," she said. She says the people at AUS were very welcoming and accommodating when she arrived. "It was a really, really good time and I greatly enjoyed it, because from the first moment I arrived at AUS, the people here were really kind and they gave us all the things we needed," she said.

Research on Sharks 

Dr. Parra told us about some of the experience that she brought to the research at AUS. "I did research on one island in Mexico that has a large population of white sharks," she said. "We went there to dive with the white sharks, and it's amazing because people have misunderstandings about sharks; they think it's dangerous to be with a shark, but it's really not. The 'problem' with sharks is that humans sometimes occupy their space, so the sharks fight for their place. When you are [diving] in the ocean, there are no lights, so you can't see if an area is the house of a shark. But they're not an especially aggressive species; they're just like any other wild species."

Why is she so passionate about studying sharks? "Well, sharks are amazing animals," she said. "They have lots of different forms and environments that they live in, but they are also extremely susceptible to fisheries or habitat destruction. The biology of some shark species are similar to mammals, not to fishes, so they live long and are very susceptible to environmental changes." Laughing, she adds, "And also because I like the danger! I have the opportunity to dive with them, and that's amazing."

Studying marine life is not just interesting; it's also practical and useful. "I mainly work with fisheries to understand what amount of fisheries the populations can afford. In this kind of research, we want to know more about the biology of the population to help the government make management plans and things like that," Dr. Parra said.

Exploring the UAE

Although Dr. Parra only stayed in the UAE for one month, she got to experience and see much of what the country has to offer. "We tried to use our free time on the weekends to do all the things we wanted to do," she said. "We went to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and did a safari. My favorite place was the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi; it was amazing. And another thing I really enjoyed and liked was the culture. We're from South America, where there aren't many Muslim people, so being inside of this culture was really nice and we learned a lot. I feel like I wish I had maybe two more months here, but we need to go back because I'm here with my husband and kids. My husband is also a researcher and he was working with researchers here too."

Dr. Parra said she didn't experience culture shock when she came here. "Before we arrived we were reading and doing research about the culture, and Dr. Bejarano told me the [do's and don'ts], so we were prepared. When I saw the culture in front me, it wasn't shocking, but just different, and I hoped not to do anything to offend anyone. But people were very kind to us. Even when we went to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, we just had to wear a scarf and that's it. I liked it because I think it's beautiful that they preserve these cultural things, and I learned a lot about how things are done here."

What's Next?

Dr. Parra would love to return to the UAE and the Middle East in the future. "I really like the Middle East, so I would like to go to a different country in this region. I'd really like to go to Jordan; it's on my checklist! But I loved being in the UAE, so we are looking for an opportunity to maybe come back here for a longer time, maybe a year. We were talking with researchers here and trying to maintain this collaboration, so maybe in the future we can come back here and stay for a while."

As we wrap up the interview, Dr. Parra said, "This really was a wonderful experience. I don't have anything bad to say about it all." Even the weather? "Yes," she laughed, "because I live in Mexico, which is also a very hot place." She goes on to say, "I just want to thank everyone here because they made a great experience for me, and I really hope to come back in a year or so. There's a lot of things to do, and I really want to explore more places here."


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist