Name: Mohammad Ahmad (Nickname: “Montana”)
Hometown: Saudi Arabia
Major: Criminal Justice
Year: Senior
What made you choose Winona State University?
I applied through a company called IGEC that helps students get accepted to different colleges from around the world. My specific scholarship helps students from my country to receive a better degree, gain more knowledge and have new experiences.
What is your favorite thing about America?
My favorite thing in the U.S. is having the ability to travel around to different states with my friends. I have traveled to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Colorado, Iowa, California and Florida. Traveling with my friends to all of these different places makes the experience here in America even more interesting and definitely brings some excitement to my schedule.
What are you involved in on campus?
I’m a member of UPAC. UPAC stands for University Programming Activities Committee. We focus on creating events for the students of WSU that take place either on campus or in the surrounding areas. I work in the UPAC office in Kryzsko during the days, and help in creating activities for all the students on campus.
What are your hobbies outside of classes?
1. Hanging out with my friends.
2. Going to the beach during the summer.
3. Grilling and hanging out with friends.
4. Making music with my friends.
Who would you consider to be your role model? Why?
My father because he has always supported me ever since I got to Winona State. He has always given me advice for my education and my life in general.
What are your plans after graduation?
I really want to continue studying and get my master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Law enforcement. Otherwise, I would like to work in the United States for a year or two and then go back to my home town in Saudi Arabia.
What is your greatest accomplishment to date?
I was placed on the dean’s list at Winona State University! This was my greatest accomplishment because I worked very hard all semester long and I made sure I stayed on top of my studies. It was truly great to see my hard work pay off.
Anything else you would like to share with us?
I am very grateful and thankful that I was able to receive this scholarship through IGEC. It has given me the opportunity to be a part of a different community here in Winona. This community is very different from the culture I am accustomed to, and it has given me a chance to talk about my background and where I come from, while also giving me a chance to ask and learn from others. This opportunity to talk to so many different people has allowed me to make a lot of new friends and has shown me how college can mean different things to different people.