51视频

Fahad Alden knows the weight of ambition and expectations.

Alden, who is double-majoring in digital media and English with a concentration in theatre arts, was born in Iraq. His earliest memory is of the day his family left for the United States, a country and culture that was utterly foreign to them, so that he could have a better future.

鈥淲hen you come from an immigrant family, there is a lot of pressure to be exceptional, to make your parents鈥� sacrifices worth it,鈥� he says.

So he proved himself, over and over 鈥� partly for them and partly for himself. While in high school, he became the first Arab American to be elected to the library board of trustees in his family鈥檚 adopted hometown of Bedford, Massachusetts.

Alden also started a 鈥渟elf-help鈥� show on public access cable aimed at helping young people develop the personal, work and leadership skills to become more confident and successful. He interviewed local political and community leaders about their paths to success.

鈥淢edia was my outlet,鈥� he says.

When Alden arrived at 51视频 to major in digital media, he quickly got involved with the Student Government Association. By the time he was a junior, he had been elected as 51视频鈥檚 student representative to the UMass Board of Trustees 鈥� another first for an Arab American.

But inside, he didn鈥檛 always feel successful. And he began to realize that the competitive rough-and-tumble of politics wasn鈥檛 for him.

鈥淚 think politics is a hobby that got a little bit out of control,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 want change and I like advocating for people 鈥� but it鈥檚 not where my talents align.鈥�

Where his talents did align was in the creativity of digital media, a major that gives students the skills and experience they need for careers in film, video, podcasting and digital communications.

As Alden focused on video directing and production, he decided to add classes in acting and directing in the Theatre Arts Program, a concentration within English. He blossomed.

In just one year, he acted in one staged reading, stage-managed another, and was assistant director on a play. When he took World Theatre with Professor Shelley Barish, who directs the Theatre Arts Program, he found the mentor he needed, and he decided to add theatre arts as a second major.

鈥淪helley told me, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e exactly who you are and where you want to be, and your idea of success doesn鈥檛 have to be the same as other people鈥檚,鈥欌�� he says. 鈥淚鈥檇 go to her for advice, and she鈥檇 be a compass.鈥�

He also found other outlets for his advocacy. Since his sophomore year, he has served as a well-being leader for other students in the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. He is also a peer coach in the Office of Disability Services. During the summers and school breaks, he works in camps for children.

Alden says 鈥渃ollege is a process鈥� of trial and error, ups and downs. But by committing himself fully, joining student organizations and connecting with faculty, he has found his passion for the creative and performing arts 鈥� and grown into a more authentic version of himself.

鈥淵ou always make a plan, and you realize that you鈥檙e so different the next year,鈥� says Alden, who will seek creative opportunities in acting, directing, media and communications after he graduates.

鈥淚鈥檓 just so excited to see what next year brings.鈥�