Introspection and Persistence
Abdullah "Aboody" Rumman ’20
Aboody Rumman ’20, an international student from Pakistan, knows how to wring the most from his time at Dickinson. The summer after his first year, he took advantage of Dickinson’s partnership with the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute and learned about measuring progress in development in conflict zones.
Major:
Clubs and organizations:
Dickinson Cricket Club, Dickinson Model U.N. and Muslim Educational and Cultural Association (MECA).
Honors/scholarships/awards:
John Montgomery Scholarship and Dean's List.
On choosing my major:
International studies majors have a lot of flexibility. There are many cross-listed courses which optimize the liberal-arts experience.
On choosing Dickinson:
When I decided I wasn't going to pursue a law degree in the U.K., I applied to American schools. When I got the decisions, my mother, my career advisor and my uncle, all said, 'This is it.' And that was it.
Favorite book:
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak.
Favorite movie:
Casablanca.
Favorite class/learning experience so far:
Authoritarianism and Change in Middle East and North Africa. [Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies] Ed Webb made that class a true learning experience. While focusing on the subject, we learned about quantitative models of data, history, geography and so many other things that I simply didn't imagine would be included.
Favorite professor:
Professor Webb, because his approach is unconventional and he uses technology to enhance the learning experience. The dry British humor is also a factor.
Favorite place(s) on campus:
Morgan Field and Weiss Center for the Arts.
Favorite Dining Hall food:
Tomato soup.
As a kid, I wanted to be …
… A footballer or an actor. By footballer, I mean a soccer player.
Biggest influence:
My parents, as well as Imran Khan and Muhammad Iqbal. My parents, especially my mother, molded me into who I am. From Khan, I learned the importance of persistence. Iqbal enabled me to better know myself through spirituality.
If I could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, it would be . . .
. . . Imran Khan and Lady Diana. I have so many things to ask them.
In a perfect world . . .
. . . equity would prevail.
On my internship:
I interned at the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute, U.S. Army War College. The institute is well respected in policy circles, and I wanted to know what the work environment was like. I now have a clearer view of my preferences for the future. Also, some skills that I worked on in this internship are applicable to any job, which is great.
On my research:
As part of my internship, I researched strategies for measuring development in conflict zones. I learned a lot about how to present data effectively and how to compile and verify it.
Hobbies or talents:
I'm learning my sixth language. I'm on the track team and I can play the piano. I'm also pretty good at passing an assault course.
Personal philosophy:
Real success is a measure of how many times you've come back stronger after failing.
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Published December 19, 2017