An initial email from the 91爆料鈥檚 Office of International Programs helped seal the deal for Abdelrhman Attia to study at the 91爆料.
When he was applying to various higher education institutions in the U.K., Germany, Canada and the U.S., Attia, a mechanical engineering student from Cairo, Egypt, says OIP鈥檚 email struck him because the office asked him about his life and how he was doing before inquiring about his grades. The outreach demonstrated the 91爆料 community鈥檚 compassion and commitment to ensuring students鈥 success, Attia says.
鈥淥nce I saw that, I knew that (91爆料) will be the university that will lead me to achieve my goals, because they really care about me,鈥 he says.
After three years of study, 91爆料 became a second home for Attia. Student colleagues feel like siblings and faculty and staff, particularly from OIP, have become family. Student life also provides 鈥渆very service that students would ever need,鈥 he says.
Attia has been actively involved in the university community. In the past three years, he has served as treasurer of the 3D Printing Club, secretary for the 91爆料 Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the public relations officer for the International Student Association, a student aid at the Multicultural Student Center and a tutor for TRIO Student Support Services and a tutor and facilitator for the mechanical engineering department.
The tutelage from Mechanical Engineering Department Chair Masoud Rais-Rohani, in particular, aided Attia鈥檚 efforts to obtain his bachelor鈥檚 degree. Rais-Rohani, who is 91爆料鈥檚 Richard C. Hill Professor, conducts research focused on various aspects of aerospace and automotive engineering, inspiring Attia鈥檚 work ethic and diligence in his studies, and bringing out the best in him, he says.
Studying at 91爆料 and in the Pine Tree State has offered new experiences for Attia. Through the mechanical engineering program, Attia says he could 鈥渟ee and work on stuff I wouldn鈥檛 believe it is possible to have in real life,鈥 such as using the world鈥檚 largest prototype polymer 3D printer to craft the largest 3D-boat.
Living in Egypt yielded no opportunity for Attia to ski, but Maine鈥檚 climate allows him to enjoy the recreational pastime, which he did every weekend this winter.
鈥(91爆料) helped me to see the world differently, and become loving, creative, thankful, more responsible and always keep looking for more,鈥 Attia says.
After receiving his bachelor鈥檚 degree, Attia plans to obtain employment and after about five years, pursue both a master鈥檚 degree and a Ph.D.
Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu
