June 24, 2024

E046 - Adjusting to Life in the US with Omar

1 hour 11 minutes

Summary

Omar, originally from Egypt, moved to the US for college. He had a strong desire to study in the US and saw it as a challenge that he was excited to take on. He applied for scholarships and faced rejection letters, but eventually received a scholarship from the University of Arizona. He chose to study pharmacy or biomedical engineering. Omar applied for multiple universities and had to consider the financial aspect of each. He ultimately chose the US because of the fair tuition system and the scholarship opportunities. Omar shares his experience of living in the US as an international student from Egypt. He discusses his travel back home, the challenges of COVID-19, and the differences between living in the US and Egypt. Omar also talks about his jobs on campus, his love for soccer, and his plans for the future.

Takeaways

Studying abroad requires careful planning and preparation, including researching scholarships and applying early.

The US offers fair tuition systems for international students, and scholarships can cover a significant portion of the expenses.

Living arrangements, such as dorms, may not be suitable for everyone, and it's important to explore other options.

Maintaining communication with family and providing them with a clear image of your daily life can ease their concerns.

Being open to new experiences and building connections can help international students navigate the social aspects of college life.

Fraternities and sororities may not be the only way to socialize and make friends; there are other events and opportunities to explore. Traveling back home as an international student can be expensive and challenging, especially during COVID-19.

Living in the US provided Amar with more freedom and less strict rules compared to Egypt.

Omar enjoyed his jobs on campus, such as being a student tutor and an orientation leader, as they allowed him to help others and build friendships.

He found American cuisine to be diverse, but was disappointed with the quality of fast food chains.

Omar emphasized the importance of being open-minded, making new friends from different cultures, and staying busy with various activities.

He plans to pursue a residency program in a hospital setting after completing his Pharm D degree.

Omar encourages others to take the opportunity to live abroad and embrace new experiences.

Sound Bites

"I had so much passion and I knew my potential is there. At least I want to try."

"I applied and it dropped me here."

"I didn't even have a brother, man. I never had that experience."

"How often were you going home when you first arrived?"

"I just felt boredom. I didn't have anything to do."

"If everybody around me doesn't care, then I'm gonna get the disease."

Chapters

00:00 The Journey from Egypt to the US

01:28 Navigating the Application Process and Scholarships

11:33 Preparing for the Move and Visa Process

28:20 Exploring Social Opportunities Beyond Fraternities

36:02 The Challenges of Traveling Back Home

38:26 Boredom and Struggles of Living Alone

41:13 Benefits of Online Classes

44:33 Jobs on Campus and Building Friendships

48:50 Exploring American Cuisine

57:08 Embracing the Opportunity to Live Abroad

01:03:21 Staying Busy and Being Open-Minded

01:06:44 Future Plans and Pursuing a Residency Program

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By James Doran

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