Impact Stories

Born in Ablah, in the Bekaa area of Lebanon, and raised in Louaize, Mia Bou Zeidan is pursuing a dual degree in food science and management and business administration at AUB. She is capitalizing on the opportunities presented to her thanks to AUB’s Office of Financial Aid, Malcolm Kerr Aid, and the Lebanese International Finance Executives (LIFE) Scholarship at AUB and is a top student in her class and faculties. This doesn’t come as a surprise to Mia who graduated from Leila C. Saad SABIS EL-Metn Charity School with honors and was the valedictorian of her class in 2022. Mia comes from a loving family and has a younger sister who is expecting to join AUB in fall 2024. “My mother is a homeroom teacher and subject analysis coordinator at SABIS, and my father is a sales manager who works in the food industry for the company STCI,” Mia notes.

Mia says that she wanted to attend AUB because it is known for being “one of the most prestigious universities in the MENA region. In addition, all AUBites who graduate have very good career opportunities. Not only that,” she continues, “but I have been looking forward to joining AUB since I was in the 10^th grade. I had heard that the campus is really beautiful and that AUB has a very good program for food science and management. I really love the food industry and am interested in the whole process of food safety and quality control, so when I found out that they offer this major at AUB, I was even more excited to study there. I had heard so much about AUB, that these years would be the best years of my life, and they currently are for me,” Mia comments.

Mia is very grateful for her experience of studying at AUB. She is especially appreciative of the opportunity to study at “such a vast and beautiful campus” and for the people she is meeting. “I have met so many people from diverse backgrounds. They have further increased my understanding of diversity and culture. AUB is a safe space that makes it possible for even introverted students to make friends and interact with others,” Mia explains. She also credits AUB for nurturing an environment where students can “discuss research topics with professors, work on group projects, interact with various companies, work in the labs, study in very quiet and peaceful areas outside (on campus), and gain knowledge from experienced doctors and instructors that I would not have been able to receive elsewhere. I am truly grateful for having the opportunity to study at AUB.”

Like many young students in Lebanon, Mia’s family has been heavily affected by Lebanon’s economic collapse. Mia is thankful to AUB for extending its support through the Office of Financial Aid, the LIFE Scholarship, and the Malcolm Kerr Aid who are enabling her to achieve her goal of studying at her dream university. “The economic crisis in Lebanon kept getting worse and worse. The main challenge that my family faced was financial. But due to the hard work I put in while I was at school, I was able to receive a merit scholarship and financial aid.  I have also been the recipient of several donor-funded scholarships. My donors have given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start working towards my goals and allowed me to fully focus on my studies (without having any financial burdens),” Mia notes.

Mia has taken full advantage of the LIFE Scholarship, which provides students with much more than just financial assistance. “Participating in the LIFE program gave me valuable internship opportunities and expanded my network,” she says. “I met lawyers, CEOs of different companies, and managers…, who spoke about their experiences to us during the workshops and meetings. The regular workshops that LIFE organizes have provided me with invaluable information and introduced me to inspiring individuals who became close friends. Additionally, these programs connected me with a mentor who provided valuable insights and guidance on my CV, future job opportunities, and personal goals.  I want to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude for their generous scholarship, which not only eased my financial burden but also empowered me to excel academically. With this support, I could fully concentrate on my studies, undertake an ambitious 20-credit workload, and successfully complete the semester with A+ grades in all seven courses.” Mia plans on pursuing a master’s degree in food safety after completing her dual degree in food science and management and business administration.