My Candidate Weekend

Two days ago, the ED1 candidates arrived on campus. For most of them, this is probably their first time in the UAE, if not in the Middle East in general. They were confused, intrigued, and eager, but most of all proud, as they should be, for making it to this incredible opportunity to explore and familiarize themselves with the school and Abu Dhabi. Just seeing them made me reflect on my candidate weekend experience from nine months ago.

I remember: taking a photo when we first walked on the Highline, which is where all the residential buildings are located; meeting my high school friend Liz, who paid me a surprise visit with bubble tea (and with whom I still continue to interact on campus); staying up to talk to other jetlagged candidates until 2am; attending a sample class with other academically driven students; feeling mesmerized by intricate designs of the Grand Mosque; dancing with President Hamilton at the DJ after our "dinner under the stars" at the desert; and saying "مع السلامة" (Ma'assalama - goodbye) at the Emirates Palace to my newly made friends with some of whom I still keep in touch.

Why am I talking about my Candidate Weekend experience? I just want to say how grateful I am to be at NYUAD. Although my daily schedule is definitely not as full of glamorous events as my Candidate Weekend, the values of this university can still be found: academic challenge, education beyond the classroom environment, global awareness, and diversity. These are the principles that make NYUAD a school that is fit for me. And I already knew this from my Candidate Weekend experience before I responded "Yes" to my offer of admission.

Here are two photos of me: one taken during the Candidate Weekend in front of the Grand Mosque and the other taken two months ago at Park Hyatt hotel on Saadiyat Island. A lot has changed during that time period in between, but my enthusiasm for NYUAD has not.