Said

Meet Said Al Sibani, a senior studying chemical engineering with a minor in chemistry. As an international student from Nizwa, Oman, Said explains he had two goals in mind when he arrived in Corvallis his Freshman year: to find a new hobby and seek his own personal development through leadership training.

Fast forward to present day and Said devotes a lot of his time to Oregon State's Adventure Leadership Institute as an ICC Supervisor, Teaching Assistant, and Trip Leader. "I've found my two goals in one organization. Whenever I ask to do something that I've wanted to try," Said said about the ALI, "I always get the opportunity and support."

Said has had the opportunity to attend and lead ALI trips such as Intro to Adventure Programming, Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Living Techniques, and Rock 1 and 2.

He encourages students to find a job on campus which relates to their passions. "It doesn't matter if [the job you get] isn't related to your major," Said said. "You learn things that make you a better person. Jobs on campus teach us a lot of skills we miss in our classes."

Said sees his involvement in the ALI as more than just a job. "In our world today, we don't see enough leaders. Leaders are the ones who turn thoughts into actions. I want to be one of those," Said explained.  

Recently, Said put his leadership skills to work as the event manager of Omani night, a popular celebration of his home country here at OSU. In the future, he plans on using the team management and critical thinking skills he learned through the ALI as a chemical engineer after college.

Said joined the ALI and wants to take his new hobby back to Oman. "I like to be active and outdoors," he said, "and to be that person who can discover the beauty of Oman. We have mountains for rock climbing, canyons for canyoneering, and coastlines and deserts for hiking. In Oman, we have so many people who are interested in spending time outdoors, but they don't have the required skills. I hope when I go back I can transfer my knowledge to those who need it, and they can transfer it to others. That's what it's all about," Said said, "teaching leadership through adventures."

 

Owen Sutter

New Media Journalist