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Naser Alawad

Naser Alawad

Naser Alawad is an international student from Kuwait who has dreamed of attending school in the U.S. since he was in fifth grade. He is thrilled with his choice of Cal State Northridge. A bit apprehensive at first about feeling alone, he discovered that the students here are very friendly and he made friends fast-especially through involvement with organizations like the International Students Club. An avid photographer, Naser has been busy documenting his experience as well as his friends' graduations and special events.

Area of study:
Accounting (B.S.)

Career goal:
Earn an M.B.A., then return to Kuwait and work for a private company

1. Why did you choose Cal State Northridge?
When it was time to apply to college, I only applied to U.S. schools. Cal State Northridge was the only one that gave me a scholarship, plus I really like where it is. And there are a lot of Kuwaitis here, so I knew it would be fun to be here.

2. What types of things are you involved with outside of class?
I'm a photographer so I do a lot of that in my free time. I'm the official photographer of the International Office and I've taken photos for some campus magazines. I'm also active in the International Students Club.

3. Have you earned any awards or have any special achievements?
I'm an honor student and I earned a certificate from the Kuwaiti Embassy.

4. What do you like to do in your free time-on and off campus?
I like to hang out with friends, go to the movies, play guitar, take pictures. My favorite place? My apartment, with my friends!

5. What's the best thing about being a student at Cal State Northridge?
The students are so great here. At first I thought they might not like international students, but what I saw was the opposite. The students are so friendly, and the faculty are cool, too. The International Club is great-you meet a lot of American and non-American students.

6. Do you have a favorite professor?
Lynnette Morinini in the English Department. She's very friendly, active, and supportive.

7. What's the most valuable thing you've learned so far?
I really learned a lot in Psychology-I loved it. English has also been a lot of fun. I've started reading things I haven't read before, like descriptive essays and stories. I love this kind of reading because, as a photographer, I can see what the writer is saying, and I want to take a picture of it.

8. What do you look forward to most upon graduation? What will you miss?
I love my life here, my independence. I'm definitely coming back to California for my master's-and coming back to Cal State Northridge, if I can! Most of my friends and my new life are here.

9. What's one piece of advice that you'd give to incoming students?
I would tell international students that this is a great experience and a great way to see the U.S., and don't hesitate to try it. You make friends quickly here. I would also encourage them not to stick to students from their own country-socialize with everyone, meet a lot of people, be in clubs and get involved.