What Are You Thankful for This Year?
The COVID-19 pandemic has given us time to sit back and reflect on ourselves, the people around us and things we might have taken for granted before. With Thanksgiving coming up, we wanted to hear from members of the AUC community about what they've realized they're thankful for this year. Here are some of their reflections:
"Health, family and friends." — Kenny Sherif, student
"I’m thankful for being among my family members in full health and safety with countless gifts from Allah." — Ahmed Badawy, senior director, financial analysis and reporting, Office of the Controller
"I am thankful to have my family, a house, a warm meal, and a warm, cozy bed at the end of a long day. We are alive, and that is what matters!" — Elena Romeo, student
"Thank you Lord for bringing life to a few months' halt where we all needed to stop running to reflect and rest our priorities, to realize and appreciate things of real worth and to become more empathetic." — Iman Soliman, senior instructor II and chair, Department of Arabic Language Instruction
"My friends. They are my support system. My cat. I'd have never gotten through this time without him. My dear brother who has always supported me. AUC campus that I miss so much and the student activities that I used to take for granted. I'm grateful for how much I've grown, for being able to let go of things that aren't good for me anymore. ... I'm grateful for my ability to enjoy my own company, because if this year has taught me something, it taught me that loneliness is cruel and those who can turn it into solitude are lucky. I'm grateful for my parents...[who] despite their flaws try to do their best. Most importantly, I'm grateful for God's understanding because I wasn't my best with Him this year and I know we have a complicated relationship, but I'm grateful for always knowing He is there to understand me and make me feel it." — Sondos Abdellatif, student
"Thank you God for protecting me and saving my family." — Abeer Ezz El Din, secretary, Office of Medical Services
"I am so thankful for health, safety, family, friendship and the support I have received from the faculty, staff and administration of the AUC community." — Ozoh Chukwuebuka, student
"I am thankful for the time I got to spend with my family and for being creative about how to spend my time usefully during lockdown. I now also appreciate what I always took for granted." — Caroline Mikhail, executive assistant to the chair, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
"I am really thankful for my family and friends. They make my life so much better just by being in it. I am also thankful for waking up everyday and for being patient on hard and stressful days." — Omnia Rabea, student
"I'm thankful for my many years of learning and practicing building community online because it feels like one of the most important things we all need right now. I'm also thankful I speak English and teach at an English language institution because it makes it easier to find resources online and connect with people." — Maha Bali, associate professor of practice, Center for Learning and Teaching
"I am thankful for my family and friends who supported me during a very hard year." — Zeinab, student
"During a time when many universities around the world have had to downsize and lay off many staff, I am extremely thankful that AUC has not had to go down that path, and that my colleagues and I have been able to continue to do our work and help the University get through this challenging time." — Rachel Awad, senior director, Academic Affairs Projects, Office of the Provost
"Everything." — Dina Fouad, teaching assistant
