Abdullah, an international student from Pakistan at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, has achieved great success in navigating a new country, excelling academically, and securing an internship at one of the world’s leading tech companies. With a 4.0 GPA and an internship at NVIDIA, his international education journey highlights the variety of opportunities and support available to international students at the University of the Pacific.
Read on to learn more about Abdullah’s academic experiences, campus life, and how he secured his internship, along with his advice for other international students aiming to pursue a similar study abroad journey.
From Pakistan to Pacific
Abdullah arrived at the University of the Pacific in Stockton with a clear goal: to excel in his studies and make the most of his university experience. He was committed to studying computer science, driven by his passion for technology and problem-solving. Determined to succeed, he focused on maintaining a strong academic record, which led to significant scholarships.
“I started off by making sure that all my academics were strong,” he says. “So far, I’ve been able to maintain a 4.0 GPA, which has led to scholarships that have [significantly] reduced my educational expenses.”
The computer science curriculum at Pacific has been both challenging and rewarding for Abdullah, and the small class sizes and approachable professors together have created a supportive learning environment.
“One of the greatest things about the [University of Pacific in Stockton] is the smaller class sizes and diversity, and that professors are always willing to accommodate,” Abdullah explains. This personalized attention helped him explore complex theories and principles in computer science and excel in his coursework.
Abdullah also highlighted the university’s convenient access to research opportunities. “Even though I was just a freshman, I approached every professor in my department asking to get involved in research,” he says. As a result, Abdullah had the opportunity to conduct high-level research in computational biology, working on RNA sequencing algorithms, and led a research team focused on generative artificial intelligence later in his academic journey. “These projects allowed me to apply what I was learning in my courses and gain valuable research experience,” he adds.
The University of the Pacific in Stockton offers a supportive and enriching environment for international students, blending rigorous academics with a vibrant campus life. Located not far from the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, the University of the Pacific is known for its personalized attention, diverse student body, and welcoming campus. This nurturing atmosphere helps students from around the world adapt and thrive, providing them with the resources and opportunities needed to succeed both academically and personally. For students like Abdullah, the University of the Pacific in Stockton has been instrumental in turning ambitions into achievements, offering a unique blend of educational excellence and community support.
Life at the University of the Pacific in Stockton
From the start, Abdullah knew he wanted his university experience to be more than just books and exams. “I wanted to ensure my experience at Pacific wasn’t just about academics. I wanted to explore extracurricular activities,” he shares. With this goal in mind, Abdullah began his transformation from being an introverted high school student to an extroverted university ambassador.
“My first job was as the university’s mascot, which was very intimidating. You had to dance in front of hundreds of people; it was like you were a celebrity,” Abdullah recalls. This role opened doors to more opportunities on campus — he then became an orientation leader for UOP International (a first-year program for international students administered collaboratively between Shorelight and the university), a Tiger Team Ambassador, and even a teaching assistant for a challenging math course.
Abdullah also took on the role of a resident assistant, which not only helped him develop leadership skills, but also covered his housing expenses. “Being a resident assistant was a big turnaround. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it made life easier financially,” he explains. He highlights the significance of utilizing campus opportunities, noting that numerous part-time jobs and extracurricular activities are available to help students develop skills and manage expenses.
He also acknowledged the difficulty of juggling academics, various extracurricular activities, and navigating the complex landscape of getting an internship. He emphasized the need for motivation and effective time management, stressing the importance of being responsible, maintaining a schedule, setting reminders, staying dedicated, and ensuring a balanced approach to all commitments.
Abdullah specified that it wasn’t always easy, but he did not let this stop him from working toward his goals. “I learned from my mistakes; every semester I got a little bit better, I kept pushing my limits every semester,” he says. “I think as long as you’re internally motivated, that balance develops on its own.”
The Path to NVIDIA: Leveraging Pacific’s Co-op Program
Securing an internship at NVIDIA, a tech giant quickly gaining increased traction for its innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning, was a significant milestone for Abdullah. His journey to NVIDIA began with Pacific’s CO-OP program, which included interview preparation and resume building.
“Through UOP’s CO-OP program, I had the opportunity to interview with NVIDIA… many people were competing for a few spots” he says.
At NVIDIA, Abdullah worked as a performance engineer intern focusing on high-performance computing and deep learning. “NVIDIA is a very AI-focused company, they do a lot of awesome stuff; robotics, medicine, automotive, health care, gaming, etc.,” he shares.
Abdullah credits much of his success to the support services available at Pacific. “The UOPI team and UOP in general were very accommodating. They helped [with accommodations], they helped register for my classes, they helped me get exposed to different opportunities on campus, and [they] were always there to answer my questions” he says.
The University of the Pacific is very student-centered. Whether you’re in engineering, computer science, or any degree program, there’s programs that help you get connected to people in the industry. We have a lot of alumni all over the United States, especially in tech.” — Abdullah from Pakistan, computer science major, University of the Pacific in Stockton
He highlights the accessibility of resources and the willingness of people to help. “Everyone was really nice, and all the resources I needed were just a walk away,” he adds.
Advice for Other International Students
For other international students aspiring to study in the US, Abdullah says, “be confident, be likable. You’re just as good as any other student. You’ve already made a big sacrifice coming here, so you’re already internally motivated to work harder. Just make sure you do your best and it will work out.”
Abdullah’s story is a great example of what international students can achieve with determination, support, and the right opportunities. Explore how the University of the Pacific in Stockton can help you achieve your dreams in computer science and beyond with its supportive community, diverse opportunities, and well-rounded degree programs.
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