Ubaid Bhatti, a 22-year-old psychology major born in Qatar, is a board member for the Psi Chi International Society and a Community Assistant at Chestnut Square. He is also an avid member of the Ultimate Frisbee Team and is currently tackling his senior year at Drexel. No one has yet had the heart to tell him that studying psychology does not turn you into a psychic – but he will be seriously disappointed when he finds out!
In the fall quarter of 2013 and winter quarter of 2014, Ubaid spent time on co-op in Crete, Greece. This was his second co-op experience, and it was by far his favorite. Getting to work abroad was a great experience for Ubaid, who still describes his time in Greece as “one of the most eye opening experiences” he’s ever had. He had the life-changing opportunity to work on the beautiful island of Crete at a refugee center up on top of a mountain. “Getting to work with refugees was one of the most eye-opening experiences I have had,” Ubaid said.
During his time away from Philadelphia and his home in Frederick, Maryland, Ubaid got to spend time exploring Europe. Greece wasn’t the only place he got to visit while abroad, and he made the most of his experiences traveling. He remembers this as one of his best Drexel experiences – what could beat living on a beach in Europe for six months?
Drexel has given Ubaid opportunities he never even had imagined before being introduced to them here, and he is never shy on expressing his gratitude for that.
Now back in Philadelphia, Ubaid is working at Chestnut Square as a Community Assistant. He helps the residents who live in the apartment building navigate through the difficulties of living by themselves for the first time, assists them in filling out lease documents, and gives potential residents tours of the building. These are only some of his many responsibilities as a CA, but he always steps up to the plate and takes on whatever task is in front of him.
When Ubaid isn’t on co-op, working, or playing Ultimate Frisbee with his team, there is no shortage of other things he likes to do. He tends to pride himself on his cooking skills. While he makes great food all around, he said his best works are definitely grilled cheese sandwiches and banana bread. Sometimes –when he’s feeling really creative– Ubaid will add chocolate chips to the banana bread. And he is quick to share with his friends and roommates. He also likes talking to babies, and amusing them endlessly with his variety of silly voices and faces.
Even though Ubaid has seen more of the world than most of us have, he’s still a tourist at heart and can’t get enough of cheesesteaks from Jim’s and climbing the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “The steps are one of my favorite spots in the city,” he said, remembering days of both running up the steps and sledding down them.
If you see him around campus, don’t feel pressured to call him “Ubaid,” – he said he’ll “always answer to Ubidoobidoo.”