STUDENT OFF TO ELITE U.S. SCHOOL

A local student is heading to Brown University, an elite Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island.

Karim Zohdy came to Prince George six years ago with his family moved from Swansea, a city on the south coast of Wales.

Zohdy graduates from College Heights Secondary School this year and will attend Brown in the fall, taking advantage of the Open Curriculum that allows students to explore a variety of interests in their first year of university.

“The open curriculum is one of the most unique things about Brown and I look forward to taking advantage of it and the opportunities it offers,” Zohdy said.

In high school, he did a lot of writing, including a Citizen article about how students were coping with the pandemic, as well as short stories and poems as he really enjoyed his English and history classes.

On the flipside he also enjoyed physics and biology so the open curriculum is a good fit for him, he added.

Zohdy also applied to another Ivy League school - Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire - and was accepted there as well.

When the decision between the two elite schools had to be made, Zohdy said he asked his family and teachers and counselors at College Heights secondary who supported him as he made the decision to attend Brown.

Zohdy enjoyed many aspects of school and said taking a creative writing course inspired him and his younger sister Noor to start a writing club at the school.

Zohdy also took a great interest in debate while attending high school.

“It’s one of my favourite things in high school,” he said.

In fact, very recently Zohdy participated in a virtual international debate tournament that he won. He was also awarded best speaker at the tournament.

Growing up in Wales, Zohdy said the education system seemed a bit more formal as teachers and students interacted in a more traditional manner where here Zohdy feels a more personal connection to his teachers. The community he grew up in was a friendly place but he gets a stronger sense of community here in Prince George, he added.

Included in his application to Brown University was the hundreds of community volunteer hours Zohdy has completed.

“When I first moved to Prince George I was almost immediately aware of the culture of volunteering here and it’s brilliant,” Zohdy said. “I think it‘s one of my favourite things about Prince George because I haven’t seen that anywhere else. As soon as I came here I started to volunteer.”

He started fundraising for a cause then found his way to St. Vincent de Paul Society in the kitchen of the Drop-In Centre and thrift store. He’s also participated in the Run for the Cure for the Canadian Cancer Society and donated time at the Salvation Army.

Zohdy has logged more than 400 volunteer hours throughout the community.

“It’s always been such a rewarding experience,” Zohdy said. “When volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul you see the difference you’re making right in front of you and you’re seeing the people you’re helping every day.”