Experience

My Journey at LAU

Karen Khoury ’22

I am full of gratitude and pride for having graduated from this prestigious institution. It all started during my high school senior year, when I received a prepaid application and applied to the merit scholarship. The tears of joy my parents and I shed when we heard the good news that I was granted a full merit scholarship weren’t enough to express our gratitude for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

LAU has widened my perspective in understanding life and fueled my drive for success. Being immersed in a community of highly motivated individuals with diverse nationalities, cultures, religions, and majors who all have equal access to education and self-development opportunities, I understood the true meaning of inclusiveness and equal treatment.

I have collaborated with those colleagues on multiple occasions, ranging from coursework to campus and volunteering activities where each of us provided his or her own distinctive input to collectively produce beneficial outcomes. The LAU community has stimulated me to uncover my potential.

As a first-year economics student and member of the Economics Club, I looked up to the board members and their enthusiastic drive to spread their knowledge and expertise with other students. I was amazed by their ability to strike the right balance between club responsibilities and their education. I attended every meeting and event they organized, and afterwards, as a new committee had to be elected, I decided to challenge myself and take on this responsibility. As a result, I was elected as the president of this club during my senior year.

My LAU experience was not limited to developing and demonstrating my leadership skills, but also to strengthening of my communication skills.

I have gained valuable exposure to some of the world’s top companies and employers as well by assuming the role of an outreach coordinator at the LAU Case Competition and through the career fairs and webinars held at university. This international exposure prompted me to extend my horizons and dream big knowing that as an LAU student, the world is wide open for me, and several opportunities lie ahead.

Aside from the bright people whom I got to meet, and who have played a significant role in defining my LAU journey, faculty members had a massive influence too. My instructors never failed to support and mentor me in both academic and professional matters. They constantly backed up my efforts and encouraged me to aim higher. As for staff members, they exemplify the full concept of hospitality and concern.

Today, as I graduate from my beloved university with high distinction, recipient of the President’s Award and having completed the Honors Program, I feel loved, honored, and recognized. I appreciate my university as much as it has appreciated my efforts and contributions over the past three years and am forever grateful for being part of this honorable institution.

LAU has taught me that knowledge should be shared, as stated by President Mawad during the commencement ceremony. Therefore, here I am, embarking on a new journey to spread and apply the knowledge and values I acquired at LAU for a hopefully better Lebanon, and a better world!