Education never stops; it is the classroom that changes. I am currently in a class called the American University in Dubai (AUD). It is only a matter of days before I walk out of that classroom into a bigger one. Looking back, I still remember every moment. But most importantly, I look back into my first days here at AUD. Questions were racing in my mind before I even entered this “classroom”. Will I be accepted? Will I belong? Will I benefit from my time here? Will I play a productive role during my time here? Most importantly, will I ever be able to make an impact?

Being an engineering student added a huge twist to me experience here at AUD (and trust me when I say studying engineering is ‘different’). Taking a step back and looking at my first day at AUD, I recall entering my MATH 202 class looking into the eyes of thirty or so students. I recall being bombarded with equations, functions, and limits. I knew then that I had destined myself to an unenvied life (and judging by the time I spend in the lab, I was not wrong). But still, little I knew then!!

AUD proved that it was more than just “studying”. If taking courses is the only thing students claim to do at AUD, they are missing out on AUD. Personally, I found a lot of opportunities to get involved one way or another. Technical competitions, both national and international, have been open to us the students. Study tours and field trips were there to enhance our experience. Even the courses we take are filled with character-building aspects such as independency, problem solving abilities, and team driving skills.

Just when I started assuming that my AUD experience would be limited to engineering-related activities, AUD portrayed the livelihood of campus life. Activities and events are happening all-year round. A diverse community like AUD’s demonstrates its diversity through its cultural events. Non-cultural clubs have their important roles in completing the AUD experience to students.

With all that is happening around me, I decided to undergo a transformation. I decided to start making an impact. I quickly went from the “outsider” doing his homework in the lab or library to a person involved in activities and events both in the School of Engineering and AUD in general. I went from participating to organizing. I worked my way into being productive within associations, societies, and clubs. Simply put, there is plenty going on around AUD and it makes perfect sense to be involved. That is the path I took and will always stick to.

But now, with all set aside, the only evident reality for me is that it there are only few days standing between me and the end of my AUD experience. The burden is far greater now than ever before. It is the last moments that matter to us and everyone around us. From here, I tend to look back and value all that I have gone through. But now, my challenge is sealing my 4-year mission. This is the true test for the impact that I will leave. Will I succeed in that? I will not know until I leave. We all end up leaving and it is only right to think of how we end things. It is all about the impact we make. Measuring our impact is tricky yet simple. Like a wise friend of mine once said, “it is all about defining our purposes and striving to fulfill all of them”. How true!! However, the only catch is that everything starts and ends in our own eyes!!!

So go ahead… Weigh your options, and make that impact of yours before it is too late…

Ali Jamaleddine
President of Engineering Student Association (ESA)
President of the Golden Key International Honor Society Chapter
School of Engineering
Class of Spring 2008