Identical twins Ali and Mohammad Mazloum
Identical twins Ali and Mohammad Mazloum have just arrived. They left their parents and two older sisters behind in Tripoli Lebanon and have chosen to attend UWinnipeg. Currently in Canada and on campus, they are embarking on an exciting educational future.
“The University of Winnipeg was the first to answer our call,” said Ali with a beaming smile. “I was very excited to choose the University of Winnipeg because it is the third university (in Canada) when it comes to student awards. I think we made a good choice.”
Last summer the twins decided to come to Canada to further their education. It was a nine-month process from application to acceptance to obtaining the visa.
“It was a lot of hard work getting the paper work in order, but it was worth it,” said Mohammad. “It is an ambition, that will take us away from our family but it is for our own future. It’s worth it.”
“My main goal is to study, because I am here to really work hard,” said Ali. “My brother and I will be starting a bachelor degree in science for three years. And then if we are good enough we will go to medical school.”
They both feel they have made the right choice despite the long road ahead of them.
“University here is much more sophisticated than in Lebanon. The University of Winnipeg offers lots of services to their students, which we didn’t have.”
The twins also welcome the idea of the small class sizes and look forward to interacting with their new professors.
“In Lebanon we sit with 400 students in one classroom and with one professor,” described Ali. “The board is too small, you can’t read it.”
The twins are not only fluent in Arabic, French and English with some German, but they already know the ‘word’ around their new neighborhood. They even have found a couple of grocery stores that sell food that is familiar to their palate. Comfortable in their new surroundings they plan to volunteer with the International Student Office here on Campus.
Once they complete their studies Ali and Mohammad plan to return to work in the Middle East.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to excellence and access, and welcomes students from a variety of educational backgrounds. If you are planning to start University this Fall, you now have more options than ever with a selection of courses available on Saturdays and in evenings. Visit our secure site to apply online. You can also download an application here or call 204.786.9159 for more information about Admission to UWinnipeg or to request an application by mail.
