My UAE: Maha AlShehhi believes in exchanging ideas

Although Maha AlShehhi is a year away from graduating with an electrical engineering degree. She believes the arts and sciences are equally important.

Maha AlShehhi is an electrical-engineering student with a passion for travel. Satish Kumar / The National

Maha AlShehhi studies electrical engineering by day, but she’s a bookworm by night.

“I have always liked science,” she says, “and in school, I had a teacher who really taught me how to love physics.”

However, despite the 20-year-old’s love of theoretical physics, she has “an equal love for the sciences and the arts”.

“I don’t believe that you should either be strictly about science, or strictly about literature or the arts, not understanding how things work.”

At the age of 14, she used to translate Arabic and English works, but AlShehhi opted to pursue a degree that would open up the best career options.

She takes writing and literature modules, but also takes part in ­extra-curricular activities.

“I’ve been to conferences with the university; I’ve been on culture trips, too,” she says.

Travelling has honed her organisational skills, having arranged international exchange trips to South Korea and India with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

“I took it from A to Z. I never did anything like that before: the tickets, the accommodation, where we were going to go and even the smallest details, like Sim cards.”

With her love of travelling comes a passion for learning about new cultures and sharing hers. AlShehhi recently joined an ambassador’s programme that will see her learn German and travel to Germany. She also volunteers her family’s time to host foreign students and teach them about traditional Emirati life.

“I don’t think there’s an Emirati family that’s more Emirati than mine. I thought it would be 20 students, but there were 50. It was a shock for me and my family,” she laughs. “I loved that experience – I made 50 new friends, and they feel like they’re all part of my family now.”

A quick chat with Maha

Which of your family members have been a big influence on your life?

Definitely my uncle. He passed away in 2011, when I was in my freshman year. Even when I was still in school, he always used to call me “doctor” and “muhandisa” – doctor and engineer – so he always had high hopes for me.

Did your uncle influence your love of travel, too?

At some point, when I was 6 or 7 years old, there was a Polish man living in our house for a month, and my uncle went back and visited him in Poland in the 90s. It’s always been like that in my family; I think I got it from him.

Which is your favourite country outside the UAE?

Germany would be in my top 10 – I feel like it’s comforting. If I had a second home, I think it would be Germany.

What type of books do you enjoy?

I like to challenge myself. I like to read books on history and things that I don’t understand, so I can learn more about them.

Did your family enjoy reading, too?

We have a huge library at home. My uncle’s library is amazing – it’s huge and has very old books. It’s like something you’d see in a movie.

Where did your love of literature begin?

Since I was a kid, my uncle would force us to read every day. Now, I’m 20 years old and I still can’t sleep without reading.

Do you have any favourite authors?

My favourite genre would be young adult – easy-read books, John Green – people like that.

How important is travel to you?

If there’s a holiday and I’m not travelling, my friends ask me if something’s wrong. I love travelling, I really do – and I honestly believe that every time I travel, I come back a different person.

What drives your desire to share your culture?

I feel like a lot of people don’t understand our culture – they come here with misconceptions and they leave with misconceptions, and it’s all a huge cycle.

Do you enjoy any sports?

I like running. I try to do it as much as I can, but, unfortunately, I don’t have much time.