Spring Break
Math professor soaks up culture
David Manuel remembers his time in Qatar and the people who impacted him
By: Matt Woolbright
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: News
One professor had the opportunity to influence his students at Texas A&M University at Qatar through education during his three-year tenure, but he did not expect they would influence him through perseverance and determination.
During summer 2004, David Manuel, a senior lecturer in the math department, spoke with Greg Kline, a fellow math lecturer, about his experiences at Qatar. Kline said he would not be returning to Qatar after the ensuing year. Manuel talked with his family, then jumped at the opportunity.
Being the only Math 151/152 professor, Manuel met most of the Qatar students, as it is a required course.
The incoming freshman class is usually about 100 students, and a math class consisted of 25-30 students, which allowed Manuel to know students and meet individual needs.
"One of the nice things there was I enjoyed being able to walk to class and say 'Hi' to everybody by name," Manuel said. "People are friendly here, too, but you do not know everybody by name. You are lucky if you know two or three people walking [across campus]."
Manuel said that while he was most impressed with the students over there, they are not that different from the students here.
"They do not have Northgate to go drinking at on Thursday nights, but they have their own distractions and hardships," Manuel said.
Manuel said two groups of students really stood out to him: students from war-torn and conflict driven countries and Qatari female students.
Manuel talked of two Lebanese students, Kareem and Danni, who especially stood out to him because of their extreme perseverance during hardships at home and with their families, all the while managing to maintain their studies.
Another student who had an impact on Manuel was from Iraq.
"There were times you could see the impact of what was going on [in Iraq] in him, but he is persistent and has done very well," Manuel said. "I expect him to be an outstanding leader somewhere down the road."
During summer 2004, David Manuel, a senior lecturer in the math department, spoke with Greg Kline, a fellow math lecturer, about his experiences at Qatar. Kline said he would not be returning to Qatar after the ensuing year. Manuel talked with his family, then jumped at the opportunity.
Being the only Math 151/152 professor, Manuel met most of the Qatar students, as it is a required course.
The incoming freshman class is usually about 100 students, and a math class consisted of 25-30 students, which allowed Manuel to know students and meet individual needs.
"One of the nice things there was I enjoyed being able to walk to class and say 'Hi' to everybody by name," Manuel said. "People are friendly here, too, but you do not know everybody by name. You are lucky if you know two or three people walking [across campus]."
Manuel said that while he was most impressed with the students over there, they are not that different from the students here.
"They do not have Northgate to go drinking at on Thursday nights, but they have their own distractions and hardships," Manuel said.
Manuel said two groups of students really stood out to him: students from war-torn and conflict driven countries and Qatari female students.
Manuel talked of two Lebanese students, Kareem and Danni, who especially stood out to him because of their extreme perseverance during hardships at home and with their families, all the while managing to maintain their studies.
Another student who had an impact on Manuel was from Iraq.
"There were times you could see the impact of what was going on [in Iraq] in him, but he is persistent and has done very well," Manuel said. "I expect him to be an outstanding leader somewhere down the road."
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