From Bahrain to CSUN: Sara Ali’s Journey to Success

Figure 1 Picture of Sara Ali during IEEE-HKN. Photo by Spencer Hutchison.

In the heart of California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Sara Ali is a Computer Engineering major who’s trekked from Bahrain to the U.S. for her educational experience. Albeit her introduction to Los Angeles was a bit of a misadventure, she has found that the bonds forged during her time here at CSUN and within the College of Engineering and Computer Science has transformed her initial apprehensions into a sense of belonging.

Hailing from Egypt and later residing in Bahrain, Sara had numerous choices for where she wanted to go to finish her bachelors through her initial university: the American University of Bahrain (AUBH). However, choosing CSUN over other U.S. institutions proved to be an easy choice for Sara. The collaborative academic program between AUBH and CSUN not only allowed her to complete her AUBH degree in the U.S. seamlessly; but also introduced her to living in the United States for a better global perspective. With the added benefit of getting a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a campus renowned for its overall diversity and its distinguished engineering college.

However, no journey is easy. Sara’s transition to the U.S. presented its fair share of challenges, including some bus route issues during her early days in Los Angeles, along with a fear of not fitting in with the campus culture. Yet, it was the camaraderie she discovered during her CSUN orientation that transformed her worries into a sense of belonging among her fellow international peers within the college.

With that sense of belonging, Sara delved into her coursework for her Computer Engineering major. As she found, CSUN’s practical approach to education revealed its true value. Real-world applications embedded in classes have been preparing her for the professional world, instilling not just theoretical knowledge but practical skills that set her apart.

Figure 2 Taking the pledge to be part of IEEE-HKN. Photo by Spencer Hutchison.

As she’s been at CSUN, she’s quickly found a home where her academic pursuits can flourish. Beyond her core computer engineering curriculum, she found solace in a wide variety of classes spanning art and music to help explore her interests, along with building a more grounded knowledge overall. Plus, with the college’s professors unwavering support and the inclusive campus atmosphere, this has overall helped Sara to build a nurturing environment for herself that extended beyond textbooks and lectures.

In addition to her academic journey, Sara has also found another community with the college’s chapter of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN), an honor society dedicated to electrical and computer engineering students to help build out connections. Albeit not understanding initially what the society was about, after some back-and-forth with HKN did she find that this connection would not only provide Sara with valuable networking opportunities but also open doors to scholarships and internships that enriched her educational experience.

Looking ahead, Sara envisions a future that blends her passion for computer engineering with a broader perspective gained through pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) through the university. The supportive environment at CSUN, coupled with her family’s legacy of teaching, fuels Sara’s aspiration to become a professor—someone who imparts knowledge and inspires the next generation. At CSUN’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, she discovered not just an academic institution but a family that fosters her dreams, and lights the way for those like her who are embarking on their educational and academic journeys.