What inspired you to work for the American University of Beirut—Mediterraneo?
It's potential. By that I mean AUB Mediterraneo is a twin campus of an American university that was solely based in the Middle East and now it has a campus in Europe, in Cyprus. It’s an amalgamation of all these different cultures meeting in one institution, place, or campus.
The long-term potential of changing the norm in Cyprus, for the students, for the locals, and for everyone involved is uncountable, and if I could add at least one small rock to the pile of change then I believe it was a no-brainer for me to work here.
What do you envision as the long-term potential? What do you hope the new norm to be?
The long-term potential of AUB Mediterraneo is rooted in its capacity to cultivate multiculturalism, drive business innovation, and inspire positive social change. By fostering an environment where diverse cultures converge, AUB Mediterraneo can facilitate student learning and collaboration, creating a dynamic educational experience.
Additionally, the influx of people to Paphos will likely generate new market demands, fostering innovative business ideas and economic growth.
Moreover, AUB Mediterraneo has the opportunity to bridge divides within the local community by promoting interaction between locals and internationals, fostering inclusivity, and broadening perspectives. Ultimately, although we are a really hospitable culture, I hope to see inclusiveness become the new norm, with AUB Mediterraneo playing a central role in fostering understanding and unity within the community.
Staff/Faculty vs Students Football Day at AUB Mediterraneo.
What is your personal philosophy around studying abroad?
I believe it must be a priority for people who can afford to leave their country. It is an eye-opening experience with the potential of changing your worldview on everything. The environment you are in and especially the one you grow into dictates a lot how you think and how you view the world and the people around you.
Thus, removing yourself from the small comfort bubble that we, as humans prefer to put ourselves into, will only lead you to a journey of growth and unique interactions that you would have missed out on if you hadn’t.
You bring up a great point about affordability. How can institutions provide more accessibility in study abroad?
Living abroad can indeed come with significant expenses, with university fees being a primary concern. However, this challenge isn't unique to any particular region, as private institutions worldwide often have steep tuition costs. Yet, many universities strive to mitigate this burden by providing scholarships and financial aid, particularly to exceptional students, thereby recognizing and rewarding their academic prowess.
For instance, AUB Mediterraneo boasts a plethora of scholarships that students can readily access, making studying abroad more financially feasible for them.
Moreover, there are living expenses to consider, which can vary depending on the country and its standard of living. However, institutions can address this by offering affordable housing options such as shared accommodations in dormitories. Additionally, universities can foster partnerships with local businesses, enabling students to enjoy discounts and other benefits, further easing their financial strain.
What are some current projects you are working on?
Currently, I am working on the back-end research such as benchmarking and market demands analysis for some potential programs that, we, as a university, have in mind to introduce in the long term. Good things are coming.
Visiting the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan.
You’ve studied abroad in the Netherlands and Romania. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
The advice I would give myself 4 years ago is to be open to change. I believe that living and studying abroad, as I have mentioned, is an amazing opportunity. However, you need to be open to the opportunity in order to receive the benefits.
It’s like receiving a gift but not opening it. Thus, although 4 years ago we as a whole world were in the midst of the COVID crisis, I believe that we can always make a bad situation better by being open to adapt; advice I took in my later years and aspire to maintain.
What do you think students can do to practice openness? What have you observed that facilitates openness, in yourself and in others?
The first step involves stepping beyond your comfort zone and engaging in activities that may initially seem odd or unfamiliar. By embracing these challenges, you open yourself to encountering people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Through interacting with these individuals, you can cultivate a genuine curiosity about their lives, their perspectives, and the challenges they face. This curiosity naturally leads to the development of empathy as you endeavor to understand their experiences and emotions. As you immerse yourself in their world, you may even find aspects of yourself reflected in their stories.
Finally, engage in self-reflection, examining your own biases and prejudices. Embrace these imperfections as opportunities for growth, actively striving to overcome them and become a better version of yourself.
Throughout your time abroad, what differences in cultural norms and values were the most eye-opening?
Of course, many things can come to mind—like food, language, or even how people see others or interact with them. Even the way people think is different. However, the most eye-opening realisation was not the differences between us but our similarities.
From similar words in our different languages, and even similar food dishes show a historical connection between two cultures. Also, the realisation that, humans, in general, are more similar than different.
At the end of the day, we all wish to be happy and loved, and although this is expressed in different ways, I think we are all more or less in search of that. What was really the most eye-opening was experiencing and bearing witness to how interactions with people from other cultures can uproot deep-seated unconscious prejudices and challenge our perceptions of how we view others.
Why should someone choose the American University of Beirut — Mediterraneo over competitors?
There are multiple reasons, but mainly the level of education. AUB Mediterraneo offers an excellent education following AUB. What makes AUB Mediterraneo special is the family culture that exists among students, staff, and faculty. For example, yesterday afternoon we played football between staff and students. I had never experienced this before.
Personally, I’ve made decisions solely based on my future career, and to share what I’ve learned. I believe future students should take into consideration other variables, like the environment. AUB Mediterraneo’s inclusive environment is a really big benefit.
Being in a new country can often evoke feelings of loneliness and homesickness. However, at AUB Mediterraneo, the environment fosters inclusivity by bringing students together and organizing activities to ensure no one feels excluded. Also, being on an island, experiencing Greek culture, and having the Mediterranean Sea at your doorstep is pretty cool.
Aphrodite's Baths in Cyprus.
You are diligently researching best conditions for AUB Mediterraneo, Pafos, and Cyprus to thrive. What are your greatest hopes for a reciprocal and flourishing academic and social environment?
My greatest hope is that AUB Mediterraneo will facilitate Pafos’ growth as a city full of international students, thus creating the best conditions for education with healthy competition flourishing. The best conditions for experiencing student life the way it needs to be experienced is to mingle with different people of different backgrounds, thus, sculpting young people’s minds in an inclusive environment.
What is AUB Mediterraneo’s mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
The mission of the American University of Beirut–Mediterraneo is to cultivate critical thinking, global leadership, and innovation while fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment that values diversity and encourages freedom of thought.
I am close in age to the students and I relate to their current life circumstances. I listen to them, advise them, support and guide them since I just finished this journey of undergraduate university and they are at the start.
What have you witnessed students taking away from their experience at AUB Mediterreaneo?
I have seen students embracing the Greek culture of the island. I know a group of students that go to a traditional taverna to eat every Sunday. Students try to blend with the native norms and learn from them.
Also, students try to learn Greek. It is always fun and surprising to see what phrases they use. I can see them taking away part of the Greek Cypriot culture which will impact their lives later on.
Students delving into Greek culture encounter a wealth of tradition and wisdom, as they explore one of the world's oldest and richest cultural heritages. This experience fosters cultural awareness as well as exposes them to invaluable life lessons embedded within the traditions.
Through this engagement, students cultivate empathy, tolerance, and a broader worldview. Also, learning Greek further enhances their connection to this heritage, opening doors to future opportunities professionally or personally in Cyprus and Greece. Ultimately, it fosters personal growth and develops a broader global perspective which will impact their future endeavours.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Travelling abroad and experiencing new cultures, to me, is of utmost importance. You get to really understand that the world is a big place and people live way differently in other parts of the world.
You learn new norms that, for you, seem extraordinary, and you develop a sense of curiosity to see what else might be out there. From that feeling, thoughts of what other cultures, what other places are more ‘foreign’ or are outright similar all become driving forces.
It can also be a humbling experience because loads of times we as humans drown in our problems and thoughts. Seeing first-hand the different types of issues others have you might even change your perspective and feel more appreciative of what you have.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
I believe that the way you connect with another person is incredibly important. If you speak their mother language, it’s different than if you both share a common one. They appreciate you more and you are more noticeable to them.
Also, people become more welcoming towards you because of that. Thus, although not necessary it can be a good basis to develop something meaningful with others.
Sunset after a day spent at the beach in Cyprus.
Studying abroad is life-changing. What advice would you give to a student to optimize their time abroad?
Good time management and openness to difference. Time management—I think it goes without the need for explanation. It's my advice that all students, regardless of studying abroad, should learn time management, and make it a top priority to be successful in their studies. I’d also advise that overdoing it isn’t healthy, a good balance of social and academics is needed.
Openness to difference, going abroad is an experience that will be different from what students are used to, thus they should be open to the different culture, and not stuck in their own ways. By doing so they might even adopt something that would benefit them for the rest of their lives.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Go for it. It’s easy to think about doing something but harder taking the step. You should just go for it and put yourself in positions that will give you life-changing opportunities.
We only have one try in this game of life, thus we should try to maximise the different and unique experiences we get from it. So, go for it, take the step.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means experiencing a new culture, a new place way different than what you are used to. Although without the same longevity and impact, it can become a substitute for living abroad.
However, I came to the realisation although I love travelling to new places, the most important aspect is not the where, but with whom. In my experience, I've found that you can end up in the best place with the worst people and not have a great time. Conversely, I found myself in the worst place with the best people and had the best time.
That's why I've learned to choose my companions carefully. It's all about ensuring I have meaningful experiences with others while also embracing and learning from different cultures.
I believe life is all about moments and memories in time, however, the most important part is about the people we share these moments and memories with and the impact we have on the lives of these people.
Going abroad gives people the opportunity to do just that. To have a meaningful impact on different people that you wouldn’t have met otherwise. And although there is an obvious end date to this journey, the people you meet on the way, even if you lose them later on (although easier now not to with technology), you will hold them close to your heart forever because at once you shared the same path in life.
