01001000 01100101 01111001! – Did you know that is binary for “Hey”…? For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Zain Dada and I am from the Quad Cities! Yep, I’m a small town guy… but I’m definately not one to conform to the average. I’m a person with big ideas and wide range of interests, from natural science to computer science to social science. Currently, I am a senior at Augustana College, where I am studying biology, French and computer science… Although I can be quite busy, when I am not studying, I am usually working in one of many on-campus departments – including the Art Museum, I.T.S., the Office of Student Activities and Web Development, or I am volunteering at local events with other members of my community service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. My other pastimes involve freelance work – repairing computers, designing websites, taking photographs at local events.
As you can tell, I am one who likes to be involved in many things… maybe too many things… however whenever I compare my accomplishments to those of my ancestors, I realize that I still have yet to scratch the surface… but I have hopeful outlook of my future and hope to use my skills to make the world a better place.
This summer, I am traveling to France where I will be sightseeing around Paris and southern France. I will also be taking a four week course at the Université de Bourgogne, in Dijon – you know, where the mustard comes from… Obviously, while I am here I hope to practice speaking French with the locals and become conversationally fluent, however, I have other aspirations as well. For one, I hope to increase my awareness of the French culture and make develop connections with the locals, and I hope to use this time to advance my photography portfolio by capturing pictures that represent day-to-day life in Europe.