Long Journey Coming to a Start

I have always thought that finishing my last architectural studio at Illinois Tech would be the end to my 6-year-long journey of studying architecture, a journey that I started in 2009 at the college of Architecture in Damascus University, Syria. However, ever since I presented my last project in December, I have had life-changing experiences…

A Classroom Without Borders

I don’t know where to start. The story goes back to my first year of college in Syria. “Don’t you think Hatahet would be a designer?” said Professor Michalle Zayat (I think he probably was making fun of me). For the past 10 years, it felt like when I made a step forward something would…

Top 5 Reasons Why I Want to Be A Business Analyst

  When I first started my degree in Civil Engineering I was really excited to learn everything on how to build things and solve complex problems. I knew I had a passion for finding solutions and understanding how things work, which made me believe that civil engineering would be perfect for me, especially since I have a solid background in…

What Would You Most Like For Americans to Understand About Syrians?

I first made these comments in discussion with students and community members following the presentation of a fellow Syrian student at Monmouth College, Mark Ghaith. The International Club at Monmouth College has sponsored a series of talks, War Stories, by students who come from countries that have been, or are now, in conflict: Palestine, Northern Ireland, Ghana and Syria….

Supporting Syria from the streets and the people of Chicago

“We all have heard and seen in people in Syria. The refugee crisis has taken way too many lives. While feeling bad about the situation and discussing about it what most of us can do, there are a few other things we can do to provide help. A little that we could do was go…

Designed in California for the Universe.

This summer I had the privilege of working as a Software Engineering Intern for one of the most prominent technology companies in the world. And since we are talking about prominent technology company, we definitely mean California, precisely the Silicon Valley. The beautiful the weather is in California, the nature, trees, landscape reminded me of…

730 days: both a lifetime and a blink of an eye

Summer 2013. The war in Syria continued but events were unfolding that would change the trajectory of my life forever because a small group of people at Illinois Institute of Technology, EducationUSA, the Institute of International Education, and Jusoor were working to support university students like myself whose higher education was halted by conflict. The…

IIT Alumni Association

One of the important lessons that I learned upon my arrival to the United States centers on the value of the practical experience available to undergraduate students in order for them to explore and prepare for a career that will be rewarding – both professionally and personally – and fulfilling. At Illinois Tech, co-ops and internships provide the opportunity…

Professor Peter Land: A Living Legend

My studio professor during the 2014-15 academic year at IIT is Professor Peter Land. For those who might wonder who is Peter Land, he is – without a doubt – one of the most famous and brightest architects of our time. With a master degree in Urban Planning from Yale University, 1958, and a masters of Architecture from…

Graduated, again!

In May 2012, Two and a half years ago, I finished final exams of my senior year in Aleppo University. I was happy i finished my education and graduated before things in Syria got worse! but it turned out that I did not!!! Exam results came out saying that I need one more point in one…

Good People Will Always Be Remembered: Mr Ayoub Talahimi (1928-2014)

The first time I met Mr. Ayoub Talahimi was when he invited a few Syrian students from Illinois Mr. Talahimi is an American-Palestinian civil engineer with an outstanding career in Illinois. He was always interested in helping young engineers who came from the Middle East; he also was among the people who helped found the…

Central Park NYC

New York, one of the most famous states in the US and the destination of 50 million tourists every year; the state that never disappoints any tourist since it’s almost impossible to be bored in such an amazing and diverse place. From Times Square; the most crowded place on earth, to the Empire State Building,…