Was there a defining moment during your UConn career?

A major turning point was during the spring of 2012, when former UConn President Austin helped me achieve my dreams. I had been admitted to an intensive summer Arabic language institute, but couldn’t pay for it. A special scholarship from President Austin made the experience possible.

Where are you headed after graduation?

After graduation, I will complete a master’s degree in international and public affairs, either at the Tufts Fletcher, Harvard Kennedy, or Princeton Woodrow Wilson schools, and then join the Foreign Service in 2016. As a Foreign Service officer, I will work in American embassies around the world.

What would you tell someone who is considering UConn?

UConn is a gold mine. Before college, I thought I preferred a small school, but I quickly learned that the sheer concentration of activities, people, and opportunities on UConn’s large campus create the perfect environment for ambitious students looking to forge their own path. Side note: campus is absolutely beautiful.

Write your memoir in six words.

Hard work achieves great things.