Thursday, Dec 1, 2016
Ahmed Al-Shawafi is a senior global supply chain major originally from Yemen. He came to the United States five years ago on a U.S governmental exchange program to represent his country, culture and religion. As an international student, he says he strives to meet new people, experiencing different places and take full advantage of the opportunities around him.
Why did you choose Rider?
I began my studies at Rider University with motivation to continue to persevere in school and tennis and to take full advantage of the opportunities that surround me. Tennis has always been my passion; it has been one of the main reasons I encountered many opportunities in my life. I received many scholarships from different universities including TCNJ, Delval, West Chester, Chestnut Hill, Catawba, but with the help of my assistant coach, Mr. Michael Ehrenberg, I decided to attend Rider for its exceptional global supply chain management major and the competitive athletic division. Playing for Rider University’s tennis team helped develop my leadership skills and to always aim to be the best at what I do.
What has been Rider's impact on your experience so far?
My experience at Rider has been similar to a roller coaster that only went up. I learned how to embrace the bitter and sweet in order to achieve my goals. Two years ago, when the war in Yemen started and my family lost their jobs, I could not afford living off campus anymore. I spent endless nights stressed by being incapable of being around my family during this horrific and terrifying time. Despite that, I always tried to stay focused and to “finish strong,” as my host parents would frequently tell me. Rider University was very generous to bring me on campus to live with an assistant funding to help me continue my degree and graduate.
Due to my shoulder injury, I battled undergoing two surgeries that kept me out of competition for three semesters. However, I still continued having fun playing intramural sports and participating in some academic competitions, such as the supply chain case competition at Rutgers University where my Rider team earned second place.
How has your experience as an international student affected your life?
My journey at Rider University as an international student influenced me in different ways. I started thinking about things from different perspective and I gained a wider view of life. I became independent, and I was able to navigate my way through my college years without seeing my family for years. Luckily, I met many families and individuals that helped me get to where I am today and without them it would have been impossible to say that I am graduating in couple weeks. Graduating from Rider will only be the first step in achieving my academic and athletic dreams.