Seas Applicant, I Can Maximize the Opportunity

¶ … SEAS applicant, I can maximize the opportunity to study and participate in the development of sustainable and renewable energy technology. This field is close to my heart from having grown up in a Palestinian community that constantly endures the difficulties, inconveniences, and consequences of limited access to sufficient electricity to support ordinary life. It has motivated me so far to participate in the Applied Research Institute in Jerusalem, a non-profit organization dedicated to solving such problems, and I now want to earn my BSE in Engineering to enable me to give back to my home community in a tangible way through developing the skills to envision and create sustainable energy projects. SEAS' curriculum directly supports my needs: I will be able to major in Computer Engineering and minor in Energy and Sustainability for the exact focus in my field. I would also like to later apply for the dual degree with VIPER, as it would provide the ideal framework for me to work toward energy sustainability. As I have already enjoyed building technological products with peers, I am excited for the Senior Design Project to create and develop another green energy idea, too. Also, in line with my goal of increasing sustainability not just in my region but around the world, I am excited to participate in Engineers without Borders, first during the school year at Saul High School and then in the summers in global locations, helping communities like mine that struggle with such problems arrive at solutions.

The other element of my previous experiences that I hope to contribute to the University of Pennsylvania and surrounding Philadelphia community is my participation in the Environmental Education Center's Clean-Up Campaign, a trash-recycling initiative and promotion. I hope to become an integral contributing member of the Eco-Reps Program and, in that capacity, to help further develop creative uses for trash as an effective learning tool to introduce concepts such as environmental responsibility and ecology to young students throughout the Philadelphia community. As part of Eco-Reps, I hope to emulate the university's compact of engaging locally by helping to inspire the development of youth-oriented positive-message-based initiative that increase understanding of important core concepts of environmental responsibility in a framework of youth activities. Ideally, I would like to take full advantage of the close proximity of the university to Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum, and the Academy of Fine Arts. Having already seen the appeal and value of such a campaign as a learning tool to introduce concepts such as environmental responsibility and ecology, I am confident at being able to duplicate those benefits in Philadelphia. Finally, as a musician, I am thrilled about the opportunity to explore the Avenue of the Arts in general and the Philadelphia Orchestra in particular. .