Mind, Behavior and Business: Alumna Nada El Kady
Hailing from Cairo, Egypt, alumna Nada El Kady graduated in Spring 2023 with a B.A. in Psychological Science and a minor in Business Administration. Nada is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology of Work and Organizational Wellbeing at the LUMSA University in Rome.
What brought you to Rome and JCU?
From a young age, I wanted to experience life abroad, immerse myself in different cultures, and belong to a diverse community. When I started learning about Rome, its fascinating history, culture, and beauty, it captured my heart. I stumbled upon JCU one day and I instantly knew it was the university where I would flourish academically and personally. I could just see myself going there. It offered the perfect blend of international education and a safe, closely-knit community nestled within the historic center of Rome. I reached out to the admissions office when I was in 9th grade, seeking guidance on admission requirements and course selections, and their unwavering support and assistance solidified my decision to choose JCU.
Why did you choose to pursue a B.A. in Psychological Science and combine it with a minor in Business Administration?
I changed my major a few times during my first year at John Cabot. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life or what I wanted to study for the next four years. It was during this time that I realized the great advantage of being in a liberal arts program. It granted me the opportunity to explore many different classes in different academic fields, ultimately leading me to discover my passion and deep interest in psychology. I also believe that psychology, the study of mind and behavior, transcends beyond a single field, permeating into most other professional domains. Subsequently, I decided to choose Business Administration as my minor. I recognized the connection between understanding human psychology and excelling as a leader, manager, or employee. My first business class, an introductory course taught by Professor Tetyana Kholod, was when my passion for business and entrepreneurship emerged.
What JCU class and/or professor impacted you the most and why?
While many professors had a great impact on me, Professor Elaine Luti and Professor Andrea Rossi truly impacted my academic journey. Taking Abnormal Psychology and Child Development with Professor Luti made me fall in love with clinical psychology. Her teaching style and classroom dynamics prompted me to delve into psychological literature with much enthusiasm and interest. On the other hand, I believe that Professor Rossi transformed my way of thinking and writing. Because of him, I know how to structure an argument, how to write academically, and how to present my ideas coherently. He helped me to hone my critical and analytical thinking skills as well. I genuinely enjoyed his class.
While at JCU, you were the Treasurer of the Arab Student Association. How has this experience enriched you?
Becoming one of the leaders of the Arab Student Association was one of the most rewarding experiences I had during my time at JCU. I truly loved working with fellow Arab students and presenting our culture in a positive light to an extremely diverse pool of students. From weekly board meetings to Arabic workshops and our grand Eid event, every moment was filled with joy and love. We truly enjoyed every second spent teaching our friends about our food, music, and language, and it instilled a profound sense of pride in our heritage. I must add that this experience also equipped me with valuable skills in event planning, budget management, and promoting cultural awareness.
What are your plans for the future?
Currently, I am enrolled in a master’s program that focuses on the psychology of work and organizational wellbeing at the LUMSA University in Rome. This choice serves as a testament to my commitment to pursuing a career combining my two passions, psychology and business. At the same time, I’m working as a remote social media content creator and event planner for a psychology center in Cairo. While I may not have a crystal-clear vision of the future or where precisely life will take me, I know one thing for certain and it’s that Rome and JCU will always be my second home!
