Geological engineering senior Said Al Kindi discovers friends from around the globe
When Said Al Kindi left his home in Oman to study in the United States, he struggled to learn English as a second language. When he graduates from the University of Mississippi this August, he will leave with a better understanding of the language and with friends from around the globe he met along the way.
Al Kindi is part of UM’s Global Ambassadors program. Global ambassadors are representatives of UM who help international exchange or Intensive English students acclimate to life in Oxford. They do so by inviting these students to social events and campus activities and introducing them to Ole Miss traditions such as tailgating in the Grove, pep rallies, Greek life and local arts.
“I met students from different parts of the world,” said Al Kindi, whose native language is Arabic and who will receive his Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering degree. “It was a great experience getting to know and learn about new people and fabulous cultures.”
Coming to Ole Miss
While studying language at the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia, Al Kindi heard from the English instructors there about Ole Miss.
“They told me how welcoming the Oxford community is and how beautiful the campus is,” Al Kindi said. “When the instructors learned I was looking for a university with a geological engineering program, they advised me to search for more information about Ole Miss. Thankfully, I happened to like what I found on the internet and reached out to Ole Miss.”
Finding Helpful Professors
Al Kindi said all his professors influenced him during his academic life at Ole Miss. Still, he wished to recognize two who especially helped him: Andrew M. O’Reilly, adjunct professor of geological engineering; and Inoka Widanagamage, instructional assistant professor in geology and geological engineering.
“Dr. O’Reilly has been more than an academic adviser,” Al Kindi said. “I always go back to him with every concern I have, even if it is outside the major topics. He has been very friendly and understanding.”
O’Reilly said Al Kindi is an excellent student.
“He has always had a very clear idea of where he is and where he’s going, in terms of both academic work and personal ambitions,” he said. “He has tackled his plan with focus and determination. It has been a pleasure getting to know Said, and I am sure he will excel as a professional engineer and geologist.”
Widanagamage was one of Al Kindi’s first professors in his freshman year.
“The credit goes to her for encouraging me to complete the major,” he said. “I had many difficulties at the beginning, but it has all been overcome because she was such a wonderful instructor.”
Focusing on His Future
Al Kindi received the Outstanding Geological Engineering Student Award in his sophomore, junior and senior years.
“Those are the honors I am most proud of, because I gained them after continuous hard work to achieve my goals and to make my parents proud of me,” he said.
Al Kindi plans to apply to graduate school to pursue his master’s in geological engineering and is optimistic he will succeed.
“The English language has always been a barrier that I keep fighting,” he said. “My English still needs practice. I am continually learning as I’ve engaged more with the campus activities, societies, and with my classmates who helped me learn better and faster.”
By Edwin Smith/University Marketing & Communications
