A young Egyptian student, Mostafa Mubarak, who went viral on social media after graduating from the University of Kentucky with three bachelor’s degrees in engineering in just four years, discussed the details of his journey which began when he traveled to the US at 17 – with only US$1,000 to his name.
In a Zoom interview with al-Nahar TV channel on Wednesday evening, Mubarak recounted how he overcame the obstacles of living abroad, from his inability to open a bank account to the challenges of transportation.
He said he traveled in 2022 at the age of 17 with limited resources but great ambition, noting that his self-confidence and the support of his family were the primary motivations behind his educational journey.
Mubarak emphasized that his primary goal was to make his father proud, saying, “My dream was to impress my father. He had unwavering faith in me, and his words were what sustained me through the most difficult times.”
He explained combined his specializations in computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering, he said, clarifying that his choice of these fields stemmed from a desire to keep pace with the rapid changes in the global technology market, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence.
Mubarak added that he plans to develop technological systems that serve humanity and ease daily life.
He pointed out that he didn’t stop at academic success, but also launched an educational YouTube channel to share his experience with Egyptian and Arab youth, offering practical advice on how to learn languages and gain admission to international universities.
The young student emphasized that Egyptian talent is capable of conquering all if combined with hard work and dedication.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
