Student Spotlight: Abdull Alharbi

Abdull Alharbi has finally found a learning environment where he's comfortable and flourishing. "I really like it here. It's a great college."

Alharbi came to the United States from Yemen in 2014, landing in Texas where his father was working as a petroleum engineer. "It was a hard time. I didn't know the language or anyone outside my home." He would complete grades 8 through 12 in the Dallas area before his family moved to Central New York.

His first semester on campus was spring 2020 when the COVID-19 virus forced a temporary end to face-to-face learning. "It was a tough time. I didn't like starring at a computer all day. I don't like online classes."

Alharbi survived the spring semester, did well last fall, and now is in his final semester. In May he will earn his Engineering Science degree. His dream is to become a civil engineer. He credits the faculty with playing a major role in his success. "I have great professors here. Whenever I don't understand something I go to them during officers and they help me."

During the first week of his final semester OCC was closed for a day due to inclement weather. He took the opportunity to make his first snowman (pictured below) wearing traditional Yemen clothes.