Last fall, AUC welcomed its first cohort of Excellence Scholars. The program supports students who demonstrate excellence in academics, athletics, community service and more. We sat down with four of them to learn more.
Youssef Saleh
Aspiring astro explorer. Multi-talented musician. Devoted animal advocate.
I want to study ...
Mechanical engineering.
I want to become ...
An aerospace engineer.
When I'm not in class, you can find me ...
Playing music. I currently play the guitar, piano, baritone and tuba. Music allows me to release my stress; when I am playing, I don't think about what's happening around me. I simply focus on having fun and playing different rhythms.
I am passionate about ...
Cairo's street animals. Before joining AUC, I founded and ran an animal care club at my school. We visited shelters around Egypt for cats, dogs, even donkeys. Our work also focused on vaccination and anti-violence campaigns, which included speaking with bawabs (doormen) in Cairo about the importance of not harming street animals. At home, I have four cats, all rescues.
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Rahil Ayoub Thakur
NGO founder. Polyglot. Advocate for change and human rights. Creative writer.
I want to study ...
History and international relations.
I want to become ...
A diplomat.
When I'm not in class, you can find me ...
Looking for my next public speaking gig. I try to sign up for as many as possible. With my friends, I can always be heard discussing one thing or another. I am very talkative and enjoy weighing in on things. Back home in Kashmir, you could find me driving around the surrounding mountains. I love going for a drive and just looking around at the scenery. I am at peace in the mountains.
I am passionate about ...
Cars! I love everything about them -- motorsports, F1 rallies, and following up on the latest models. Growing up, I would take road trips with my dad. As I got older, I began getting into the mechanics of cars in order to understand how they work. Although they are mass-produced, I think that a car can be a personal statement. My dream is to one day have a garage where I can modify and improve cars according to my taste.
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Jowairya Soliman
First visually impaired woman to earn an IB diploma in Egypt. Disability advocate. Creative writer and public speaker.
I want to study ...
English and comparative literature and integrated marketing communication.
I want to become ...
A university professor.
When I'm not in class, you can find me ...
Reading, writing, catching up on news or spending time with friends and family. I like to write everything: short stories, heartfelt letters, academic papers and essays. Sometimes I write short pieces that capture an emotional experience from my life. It's sort of like journaling but more organized.
I am passionate about...
Public speaking. When I first began doing this, I was scared and would be shaking by the time I got up on stage. But practice makes perfect: The more I showed up and spoke at events, the more confident I grew. It helps to have a meaningful topic to speak about. For me, that has been advocating for the rights of people with disabilities -- something I have been fighting for my entire life as a person born with visual impairment. It also helps to have people around you who believe in you, empower you and push you to speak.
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Joelle Sidhom
Award-winning athlete. Artist. Fourth-generation architect (in the making). Community volunteer and leader in Kenya-related service. Academic enthusiast. Entrepreneur.
I want to study ...
Architecture. I grew up with an appreciation for art and math, so architecture lets me fuse the two. It teaches me a lot about the world, going beyond the practical and blending with subjects like political science and history. At AUC, I want to learn an abundance of related skills and programs and grow my knowledge across disciplines. This is the recipe for a continuous growth mindset which I am determined to maintain.
I want to become ...
Right now, I'm leaving the door open for as many opportunities as possible.
When I'm not in class, you can find me ...
Drawing, at practice with AUC's track and field team, socializing with friends, visiting my family back in Dubai or learning something new. I like to keep things fresh and spontaneous, so my activities are always changing.
I am passionate about ...
Sports. They are a great outlet which allow me to take my mind off of academics or any problems I'm facing. The more effort I exert, the more I know that my physical and mental health are improving.