Applications for International Student Chapter Leadership Development Travel Grants are now being accepted for the 2016 Annual Student Conference. The deadline is June 30. This award is intended to help international student chapter members grow as leaders to be come future global leaders. Up to eight travel grants will be awarded, thanks to the generous support of The AIChE Foundation. Learn more about this opportunity and submit your application. Following, Nesma Selim shares her experiences as a recipient last year.
When chem innovators do what they do best, everyone wins!
I didn’t expect to encounter such a huge number of opportunities at the conference. Opportunities included experiencing how people think around the world and experiencing the best of chemical engineers. ASC gave me the opportunity to learn more about innovation and research, and know more about how organizations innovate to succeeded on the international level in today's competitive world.
It also expanded my horizons to understand the unlimited opportunities of how much I can gain from the people around me. It provided my insight on the importance of passing knowledge through science.
The leadership gathering was a unique approach to a group of inspiring leaders whom I want to be like one day. I met the impressive Cheryl Teich, who told me “I believe when you are my age, you will be way better than I am.” Yeah, that was a great push forward!
Beside the conference, I took advantage of the guide that AIChE provided about places to visit when in Salt Lake City.
...the Annual Student Conference was a unique opportunity that deserves the great effort to experience it more than once!
Salt Lake City was a felicitous choice, and it was a remarkable idea to provide the best places to visit at Salt Lake City. I experienced many of those unbelievable serendipitous moments that can happen when you follow your curiosity to indulge in new travel experiences. Among my experiences were the dinosaur museum, art gallery, Greek city center, incomparable shopping and food experiences, and much more!
I had a great time in various places, and it turned out that the gentlemen weren’t the only ones responsible for the conference. Everyone who approached me was more than helpful and welcoming.
In spite of having different cultures, I felt at home wherever I went. I was captivated by the respect for the habits and beliefs of each individual at gatherings. The company of the student leaders from around the world was the most affecting. The way in which we communicated and have stayed in touch affects me significantly.
The most important matter to tell about is that when any new idea comes to mind and I need to seek innovative opinions about it, whether to develop my student chapter or regarding my scientific life or even social life, I turn immediately to those leaders to discuss it. The results of our discussion are always fruitful!
The whole experience provided me a roadmap for tackling the barriers to being a leader and for investing the time and effort necessary to avoid disruptive ideas.
In short, the Annual Student Conference was a unique opportunity that deserves the great effort to experience it more than once!
