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1. Why did you decide to transfer to UC San Diego?
Azzam:
My reason is as simple as the next person’s. I wanted to experience that pseudo-feeling of independence that most college students get from moving out of their homes and into this exciting world of higher education. I say “pseudo” because despite the loans, grants and part-time jobs, I do find myself calling my family every once and while to ask for the occasional monetary boost. Also I need the occasional dosage of family love, but who doesn’t? As to why exactly I chose UC San Diego over the other schools, I would have to say that if you have ever been to the beautiful county of San Diego, the answer should be incredibly obvious. Plus, I am fairly certain that it was voted top science school in some magazine. [Newsweek magazine ranked UCSD the “hottest” university in the nation for students to study science in 2006.]
2. How was your transition from community college to UCSD?
Azzam: I think the trickiest parts were being away from the family and the fast-paced quarterly system. I never thought I’d be saying this but I do miss hearing my parents and sisters arguing about homework, cleaning up their rooms and getting off the phone. My dad always went over his texting limit. And in retrospect, nothing made me feel more spoiled than a wonderful home cooked meal by my mom. Speaking of which, spoiled is having 16 weeks of school instead of 10. How I miss the days of long semesters and small class rooms. Rushing learning has to be one of my least favorite things in life! I love to learn but when I sometimes think about my weekly work load, it makes me cringe and by “sometimes” I mean “most of the time.” Although, it might be a personal issue because almost everyone I know is adjusting to the pace quite well.
3. What drove you to get involved in student activities at UCSD? How long did it take you to feel like a part of the UCSD community?
Azzam: During my second quarter at UCSD, I found the great need to get my mind off certain matters. My roommate at the time was pretty involved with several groups at school and he inspired me to give it a shot. Before I knew it, I was involved with the All-Campus Transfer Association, ACTA for short. I was helping out a little here and there, and when it came time to elect new board members, I decided to run for president and was lucky enough to have people vote for me. It was then that I started feeling like a part of the UCSD community.
4. How are you helping other transfer students get connected with university life?
Azzam: I like letting them know that if they have any questions with regards to anything at UCSD, and they don’t know where to go, they should come ask us. I also try my hardest to get them involved. Being involved with the community at UCSD is one of the most rewarding experiences while attending the school. Aside from that, it is obviously one of the best ways to meet a lot of interesting people. It comes down to the simple fact that being involved will build a greater bond between you and the school.
5. What has surprised you most about campus life?
Azzam: I was surprised by how uninvolved transfer students are. It’s not that they aren’t around. It’s that they aren’t willing to take a couple of steps to be more involved with campus. I must admit that coming in as a transfer student changes one’s priorities. Their priorities might be in this order: school, work, study, relax/eat (maybe), study some more, and then get involved.
6. What advice do you have for potential transfer students?
Azzam: I can not say it enough, get involved. Don’t wait for someone to tell you how to do it. Go out there and find something to get involved with. Also, the transition from the quarter system to the semester system leaves no room for procrastination.
7. What are the benefits and/or drawbacks of being a transfer student (as opposed to entering a university as a freshman and staying there for all four years)?
Azzam:
The greatest drawbacks are most likely missing out on those first two years in the dorms where you get to build that strong sense of belonging. Most transfer students come to UCSD not knowing anyone and they don’t try that hard to meet people outside their classrooms. Also, transfer students juggle getting to know this new place while taking upper division classes. That’s no simple feat. I can’t think of any particular benefits that are specific to transfer students. Being at UCSD is a major benefit of its own. When I think of the great facilities that I have here as opposed to the ones that are back in my junior college, it makes me feel privileged.
8. How important is on-campus housing for transfer students? Do you think the new housing complex for transfer and upper division students, currently under construction, will help the students feel more a part of the UCSD community?
Azzam: It comes back to my point of building a strong sense of belonging. Transfers do miss out on the experience of having so many other students around them, students who go through the same experiences at the same time. Being around other transfer students on a regular basis would be such a great help. Having a place where they could find each other easily and not worry about breaking the ice would be of great help.
9. What were your first impressions of UCSD?
Azzam: My first thought about UCSD was “This place is huge!!!” I was so overwhelmed by the size of the campus and I got lost several times. I eventually got the hang of things and I think I would make a pretty good UCSD tour guide nowadays. It has some great facilities to which I am sure I haven’t even explored half of. To my surprise, one of my first classes involved the open use of laser cutting machinery. It still is one of my favorite classes to this day.
10. What are some "outside the classroom" life lessons you’ve learned as a UCSD student?
Azzam: I’ve learned how important it is to take that first step in everything, especially in my career. I’ve always had the bad habit of not taking steps forward in my career. Being at UCSD and being surrounded by so much progress can be inspiring.
11. What are your favorite spots on campus?
Azzam: I would definitely have to say the ACTA office in the Price Center. The Vice President of ACTA and I worked on it over summer and made sure it was comfortable and warm enough for people to want to be there. I think we managed to accomplish that. We always try to encourage other transfer students to come in and hang out. We have sofas that are always open for use as long as there is room for transfers to sit. We are right on top of the food court too. Quite the luxury if you ask me.
12. What are you studying and what sparked your interest in the field?
Azzam: I am studying mechanical engineering. I credit my professors from my junior college for making math and physics seem so interesting and fun. They were very approachable and friendly. Plus, it didn’t hurt to have a really cute lab partner. Although I must admit that I have changed my major a couple of times so this might not be my final choice.
13. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Azzam: I will still be attending UCSD. You see, I am quite the short-sighted person. At this point, I am having a hard time seeing past the end of the school quarter let alone 10 years. However, I do hope that far into future I will have found myself a nice job with whatever career I will have finally decided to stick to.
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