This post was written by Shay Potter, MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts student.
Adam Abidi challenges himself daily in ways most students find daunting — "talk to that person at the gym you've seen for three weeks and you haven't talked to" or "compliment a stranger."
While the first-time undergraduate wasn't always so bold, his journey between two countries—Tunisia and the United States—shaped his philosophy of challenging himself to make new connections.
“After I came here, I didn't know anyone, especially in my college life,” said Adam, a business pre-major looking to declare into the finance specialization of the B.S. in Business Administration program. “I don't have high school friends here. So, I would build everything from the ground up. It was a really good experience for me, how I built my contacts here, I made friends, friends with my classmates and with faculty and staff, also.”
Born in Baltimore, Adam relocated with his parents to Tunisia and lived there during his middle and high school years. "It's a historically rich country with a mix of modern and ancient in the same city—just like Baltimore.”
Toward the end of high school, Adam started looking at colleges in the United States.
In part because of his connection to Baltimore, The University of Baltimore’s business administration program topped his list. Coming here brought him back to his native hometown and four miles away from his childhood home.
“I was also looking for things like networking, a really good social life and things like that,” he said.
One doesn't become successful alone—a truth Adam experienced firsthand.
"Professor Daniel Gerlowski has stuck to my mind the most," he said of his microeconomics instructor. "His teaching methods really shaped me."
The professor challenged Adam to stretch himself and try new things. Adam followed the advice, taking time to be an orientation leader, community service participant and a math tutor at Robert L. Bogomolny Library.
The opportunities have reaped more benefits than networking.
“I'm starting to become a better communicator,” Adam said. “I'm starting to become more motivated to serve my community.”
Beyond classroom success and campus involvement, Adam sees Baltimore itself as key to his future.
"I'm confident that I will find opportunities here," he said. "I have an entrepreneur mindset, but I also want to study, get a full-time job and use those resources to become someone with financial freedom.”
His college experience is just starting but Adam feels he already is learning so much.
"I would encourage people to socialize because that is the basis of your college life," he said. "After you graduate, opportunities are going to come from the people you meet and the opportunities you created for yourself."