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Norhan Abdeldeyem was a bundle of nerves and excitement when an opportunity to study abroad presented itself.<\/p>\n
This was Abdeldeyem\u2019s first time leaving Egypt, let alone entering the U.S. But she\u2019s found a home at UCF, where she is studying actuarial science through the Department of Statistics and Data Science, with a double minor in economics and computer science.<\/p>\n
Abdeldeyem began her academic career as a biology major at the American University of Cairo. She quickly realized that her passions aligned with the study of statistics after taking an introductory course on the subject.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy parents originally wanted me to go to medical school, but I changed my mind after taking a couple of biology courses,\u201d said Abdeldeyem. \u201cMy statistics professor in Cairo pulled me aside and asked why I was not pursuing statistics as my course of study, and I wondered the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Actuarial science is a niche area of study encompassing mathematical and statistical methods to assess \u201crisk\u201d in a number of industries. Yet it is widely applicable and provides Abdeldeyem with a sense of security for the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI could apply statistics to the insurance industry, to banking, to economics \u2014 there is an endless list of applications. The reason I love my major so much is because it is so diverse,\u201d said Abdeldeyem. \u201cBut I think I\u2019d really like to be a professor eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n
While at UCF Abdeldeyem has been a part of some classic Floridian activities, including Hurricane Dorian\u2019s arrival at the beginning of the semester. The hurricane brought with it one of Abdeldeyem\u2019s favorite memories so far.<\/p>\n
Abdeldeyem and other exchange students sheltered in the home of a UCF global ambassador and learned how to play games like Cards Against Humanity and What Do you Meme? That, along with the introduction to new movies, was an enlightening experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really learned a lot about each other and our different cultures,\u201d Abdeldeyem remembers with a smile.<\/p>\n
Of course, with any new place comes preconceived notions. Abdeldeyem finds that her assumptions continue to be challenged daily in a positive way.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Egypt we have a stereotype regarding Western culture, that Americans are selfish by nature. But I have found the exact opposite, and the Americans I have met are extremely friendly, polite and willing to help,\u201d said Abdeldeyem. \u201cI remember I was struggling with my luggage at the airport when I first got here and I was shocked that so many people offered to help me just because they noticed I was having trouble. That was really nice and something I didn\u2019t expect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, while she\u2019s having a great time visiting, there is also plenty of homesickness. American food, for instance, is much different than what she\u2019s accustomed to, including portion sizes and sweetness.<\/p>\n
Abdeldeyem will continue her studies at UCF for the remainder of the Fall semester before returning home. One of the things she will miss the most is the anonymity of a large campus with flourishing student diversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best thing about my experience at UCF so far has been the people. There are so many different people, from so many different backgrounds, and I feel like I am constantly learning something new. Not only that, but it is nice to feel incognito around campus and not like everyone knows who you are and what you\u2019re up to. It allows you to focus more on school,\u201d said Abdeldeyem.<\/p>\n
Norhan\u2019s experience was made possible by the Nancy and Jonathan Wolf Global Academic Initiative, a program established in 2018 to facilitate faculty, student and program exchanges between UCF and the American University in Cairo.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudying abroad is often a life-changing experience. When you\u2019re immersed in a new culture for months at a time you can soak up so much more than you would as a tourist. \u00a0We\u2019re proud to provide an opportunity like this to Norhan and see how she applies this in her future studies and career,” said Nancy Wolf.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Norhan Abdeldeyem was a bundle of nerves and excitement when an opportunity to study abroad presented itself. This was Abdeldeyem\u2019s first time leaving Egypt, let alone entering the U.S. But she\u2019s found a home at UCF, where she is studying actuarial science through the Department of Statistics and Data Science, with a double minor in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":137,"featured_media":25362,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[38,6491,28,30],"tags":[6053],"class_list":["post-25361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-statistics-data-science","category-top-news","category-undergraduate-student-news","tag-norhan-abdeldeyem"],"yoast_head":"\n