Impact Stories

Omar Soufi, a medical laboratory sciences major, landed at his dream destination for his undergraduate studies: the American University of Beirut. “Like any other high school student who is concerned about his future and wondering about where to study, AUB was to me the dream university, and the only place I wanted to learn,” Omar says. Born and raised in Tripoli, Lebanon, Omar was surrounded by a loving family, including some AUB alumni who were an inspiration to Omar. “I was inspired by my cousin who pursued his bachelor’s degree in environmental health sciences at AUB, and how successful he has become due to the opportunities AUB offered him,” observed Omar. Omar’s cousin, Samer, went on to earn his MS in environmental technology from Imperial College London. Today, Samer serves as the director of solutions engineering at Cority, a leading provider of environmental, health, safety, and quality software solutions based in Toronto, Canada. The success of people like Samer comes not only as the result of the quality education that AUB offers. Omar notes that “in addition to being a top-tier educational institution, AUB also nurtures responsible individuals and equips them with the necessary skills to confront future life challenges.”

Omar’s dream to join AUB was in danger because of the economic collapse that befell Lebanon in 2020. “I live with a small and loving family, with my parents and my younger sister. My parents both work in the private and public sectors and were heavily affected by the economic crisis,” commented Omar. However, and thanks to the support he received from AUB’s Office of Financial Aid, and the Hazem and Nadine Haddad Scholarship at AUB, Omar was able to overcome this hurdle and enroll at his favorite university. “I am thankful that there are some kind and wonderful donors out there who support others in need. The support I am receiving from AUB’s Office of Financial Aid and the Hazem and Nadine Haddad Scholarship is actually the reason I am still at AUB. This opportunity, as well as my experience at this academic institution, has taught me that AUB is not only here to help you achieve academic success, but also to support you overcome personal and life challenges,” Omar added.

Omar is keen on making the best out of his time at AUB. An excellent student, Omar is using his skills and the opportunities that AUB offers to enjoy new experiences, such as attending seminars and meeting published authors, as stepping stones towards achieving his future aspirations. “I am learning throughout my journey at AUB that one of the things I enjoy the most and find of indelible value is the social skills I am learning from the many interactions with the AUB community. This institution attracts people from different backgrounds and cultures, and it is teaching me how to engage with my community and take on leadership roles. This has helped me foster good and lasting relationships not only with my classmates, but also with professors and academic advisors,” Omar says. Omar is confident that a bright future will emerge from his invaluable experience at AUB today.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Omar is planning to apply to medical school after he completes his degree in medical laboratory sciences. “I do believe that becoming a doctor and being able to help and cure people, especially those in need, is essential, especially in our country. I made a promise to myself and to my parents that I will always work hard and achieve this dream, to be one day someone who helps and gives back to our community.”