Global Education and Training and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences International Programs Office, in partnership with Amideast, welcomed two students to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign during the Fall 2021 semester. The students were recipients of the Amideast U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative Public University Scholarship, which supports Egyptian scholarship students in developing independence, confidence, and career skills through a semester of experiences at a U.S. university. The scholarship program also interweaves private sector and practical experiences so that graduates are primed to enter and contribute to the workforce in Egypt, in sectors that are critical to the economic development of the country. The scholarship program is funded by USAID and supported by the Ministry of Higher Education.
In her own words, Nermeen Mohamed Abdelmaged shares experiences from the program including living in Champaign-Urbana and developing future plans and goals.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Nermeen Abdelmaged. Majoring in Advertising and minoring in Public Relations. My spare time is mostly spent with my new friends from Champaign, whom I am grateful to have met. I am also a member of the tennis club.
On choosing the Higher Education Initiative program
I have been in this program since graduating from high school meeting different requirements to be qualified for the study abroad opportunity, such as English classes every week, volunteering and maintain high GPA score. I always had a dream to travel outside my country and meet new friends with different backgrounds and same applies for education, I wanted to know how teachers interact with the students and what curriculum do they provide.
On what the program taught you
I realized that I could multitask and manage the day better than how I used to manage it in Egypt. I learned so many new things in Advertising career and PR, in other words I started to learn things in a way that makes more sense and relevance to the real workplace.
On what you learned at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
I would apply doing research before any campaign or any concept that I would introduce in the market because that makes a huge difference in how relevant and unique your message will be to the audiences. That was one of the prominent things I have learnt in UIUC “creatives don’t come out of nowhere.” I've enjoyed being an Illinois student because of the diverse community and rich friendships that I have formed.
On future plans and goals
The real experience made me discover new skills I never thought I had, it also opened my mind to new ways of thinking and tremendously improved my communication skills. I am planning to return to UIUC and pursue a master's degree in advertising, since the teachers at the University of Illinois focus more on practical aspects of the subject, which will prepare me for working in the advertising field after graduation.
Thank you Nermeen for sharing your story!
More Information
Global Education and Training (GET) provides a gateway to expertise at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for partners around the world through high-quality training programs. Learn more about GET online at get.illinois.edu.
LAS International Programs aims to provide learning opportunities and support and guidance for domestic and international students. They also support faculty and staff as we work to understand and respond to those around them, from the campus to the entire world. Learn more about LAS International Programs online at las.illinois.edu/academics/international.
Amideast is a leading American non-profit organization engaged in international education, training and development activities in the Middle East and North Africa for over 60 years. Additional information about Amideast can be found online at www.Amideast.org.