Starting grad school in a new city—or even a new country—comes with its fair share of challenges. From adjusting to academic pressures to finding a sense of belonging, the journey can feel overwhelming. But you’re not alone!

In this first episode of GRAD-itude, we sit down with Ikhlas Ben Hmida and Yahya Ahmad, two NYU graduate students who share their personal experiences of adapting to a new environment, balancing faith with academics, and navigating their career paths.

🔹Ikhlas Ben Hmida is a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at NYU Tandon, specializing in soft robotics for medical applications. She has led groundbreaking research and was twice awarded the Wise Female Engineer award while leading her team in the Global Hybrid Electric Car Challenge.

🔹 Yahya Ahmad is a graduate student in NYU’s Management of Technology program and a Fulbright Scholar from Pakistan. With a background in entrepreneurship, marketing, and digital transformation, he has worked at Unilever’s UFLP program, leading innovative projects across multiple divisions. Together, we discuss: - Adjusting to life as a Muslim grad student in NYC - Managing faith, academics, and personal growth - The struggles of leaving home and starting fresh - How to stay spiritually grounded in a fast-paced world Join the conversation! Comment below with your thoughts and experiences—we’d love to hear from you!