When the International office was consulted about who should be featured in the inaugural issue of
SPOTLIGHT, their immediate response was, “The Yemeni Girl!” However, it wasn’t until we had the
privilege of interviewing Ms. Alhanoof Abdulmajid Abdo Anaam that we truly grasped the
extraordinary nature of her journey. Alhanoof is an exceptional student who has risen to the rank of
valedictorian for the class of 2023, and her path in aviation management is nothing short of
remarkable.
Soaring to Success: Alhanoof’s Odyssey
in Aviation Management
In our conversation, Alhanoof candidly revealed
that her journey as an aviation management
student at IAU was very enlightening, despite its
challenges. Moving to Turkey at the age of twenty,
leaving her home, family, and friends behind, was
a significant hurdle. She expressed gratitude for
the opportunity to explore the dynamic world of
business and appreciated her mentors and
professors. However, she faced hardships as her
bachelor’s degree program coincided with the
COVID-19 pandemic and an earthquake crisis.
Alhanoof described this as one of the most
challenging times in her life, being far from home.
Yet, she remained dedicated, coping by developing
effective time management strategies. Her
dedication allowed her to delve deeply into
aviation, exploring areas like airline operations,
airport management, and aviation safety, merging
her passion with a strong academic foundation in
the midst of turbulent times.
Her biggest challanges
Contrary to the stereotype that academic high
achievers tend to be antisocial and uninvolved in
extracurricular activities, Alhanoof argued that
effective task prioritization and time management
prevented her academic and social life from
encroaching on each other. She stated, “I used to
dedicate weekdays to academic pursuits and
reserved weekends for me and my friends.”
Balancing coursework, extracurricular activities,
and a social life while safeguarding her peace of
mind did hinder her from gaining work
experience. However, she noted that she is
actively addressing this during her pursuit of a
master’s degree in Business Administration.
Alhanoof emphasized the significance of
impeccable time management, unwavering
discipline, and seeking guidance from professors
and peers as her strategies for success.
Her strategy
“Stay passionate and committed to the field. Stay open to learning, embrace challenges, and network
with industry professionals. It’s a dynamic field with immense opportunities for those who are
dedicated and innovative.”