Hee Eun Kwon, born in Seoul and raised in Dubai, considers herself unusually intolerant to spicy food for someone of Korean descent. She prides herself on enjoying midnight Al Safa runs and learning new languages.

“I decided to become an RA because I’ve never lived in a dorm before coming to [NYU Abu Dhabi]; the RA was a new and intriguing position that I wanted to try out,” Kwon said. “I also thought that this position would really help me grow as an individual while also allowing me to build unforgettable relationships.”

Kwon is sweet and caring, so it is only fitting that her floor’s theme is called The Bakery. Her residents can expect a lot of sweet desserts, as she was inspired by her previous RA who introduced her to the wonders of choreos, oreos baked into a cookie.

“[I] look forward to the unique relationships that my residents and I will form throughout the year, and hopefully the wonderful memories that we will make,”  Kwon said.

By Daria Karaulova/The Gazelle

Graced with the ability to eat pistachio nuts really quickly and predict the weather in Abu Dhabi, sophomore RA Ðorðe Modraković is multitalented, to say the least. Born and raised in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Modraković intends to major in Psychology and Political Science.

Last year, Modraković was involved in three on-campus internships with the Office of Intercultural Affairs, Office of Community Outreach, and Athletics. He also volunteered at the Somali Cultural Center and St. Andrews Thrift Shop, sparing some time to practice capoeira and dance at social gatherings. He claims that his previous RA partly inspired his decision to become an RA.

“[I] wanted to become more engaged in the NYUAD community and the job of an RA is inherently community building,” Modraković said.

“Being a new RA is an advantage because one gains leadership skills and confidence,” Modraković added. “A disadvantage of being a new RA is that one can get caught up with work too much and start neglecting old friends. Neglecting old friends can also be a consequence of the difficulty of balancing the role of a student leader and a friend at the same time.”

One of his residents, freshman Toma Pavlov, may follow Modraković’s path as he is already considering becoming an RA.

“From my perspective being an RA is an undertaking in which you have to be fully committed in order [for] people [to] rely on you,” Pavlov said.

Most likely to be spotted smiling as she walks the halls of Sama Tower, junior Christy Maksoudian is majoring in Biology with a concentration in Brain and Cognitive Science and hopes to attain a medical degree and specialize in either cardiothoracic or neurosurgery.

“I knew I wanted a job that would allow me to be more active within the NYUAD community,” Maksoudian said. “However, I was confused as to whether I would prefer working with staff, administration or students. I found that the Office of Residential Education actually takes part in both, where an RA ... builds the bridge between the two parties.”

Maksoudian further explained the reasons behind her decision to become a RA.

“I realized I wanted to contribute to the growth and development of the students here, especially freshmen, providing them with a familial, healthy and safe environment in which they could mature as leaders,” Maksoudian said.

Freshman Alex Roşca shares the same mindset as Maksoudian.

“I think [becoming an RA] is an amazing opportunity to act both as a leader and as a liaison between people,” Roşca said. “And that goes both ways, because it also helps you as an individual to grow into a responsible and compassionate human being.”

Maksoudian is looking forward to spending this year with her residents.

“[I] hope to provide a seamless environment in which they could grow socially, personally, intellectually, and academically,” she said. “More importantly, this environment would be warm and welcoming.”

By Daria Karaulova/The Gazelle

Most likely to be spotted at the gym or on the soccer field, rising senior RA Abhishek Mehra is considered by most to be genial and superbly hilarious. Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Mehra is a busy man, simultaneously majoring in Social Research Public Policy and working with his clients in the construction business back home. Fueled by concern for his community, Mehra is also currently working on his capstone project by researching the relationship between instances of rape and gender-based citizenship in India.

“Another reason why I chose to be an RA is because it is a good learning opportunity to learn how to manage people who are your friends,” Mehra added. “If I will ever end up in a start-up with my friends, I will be [glad] to know how to juggle the different roles [of being friends and being professionals]”.

“I do not want to disclose my amazing ideas. Other RAs, if you are reading this, you are not [going to] get them.”

By Daria Karaulova/The Gazelle

Originally from California and currently attending NYU New York, Dylan Maurer came to Abu Dhabi as a RA, fell in love with the atmosphere and decided to stay as a RA for another year on the nineteenth floor. Maurer enjoys running, yoga and reading. He also loves the heat in Abu Dhabi. After he graduates in May of 2014, he hopes to apply for graduate school in higher education and work with Teach For America.

“I have been blessed with the opportunities that I know people in other parts of the world [have not],” Maurer said. “So I am really appreciative of the education that I am able to receive. It has been a really strong driving force in my life; hence, it is my passion to ensure that everyone is able to have that experience at some point or afford the opportunities.”

Maurer credited his desire to be a RA to the experiences he had as a freshman and the friendship that evolved with his own RA.

“I found the Hall Council during my freshman year to be my home, so it just feels natural to become an RA.”

Maurer is always happy and enthusiastic and welcomes anyone to stop by to have a chat over hot cups of caffeine.

By Daria Karaulova/The Gazelle

Originally from the small town of Adelaide, Australia, Daniel Brown was enjoying the close company of his brothers when he was catapulted into NYUAD's multicultural environment last year. Brown is passionate about human rights, equality and education. He also plays the guitar.

After he graduates, Brown hopes to teach English in Japan for a year, live in India without his mobile phone and focus only on reading and eating, attend law school, pursue politics and eventually save the world.

“Freshmen year was really hard for me at times so I want to make sure that freshman feel well and if they have any problem, they have someone to talk to,” Brown said. “I am passionate about the community here and I hope it will be successful.”

Brown advises freshmen to look out for one another, to avoid trying to be perfect and someone they're not, to not be too self-critical, to not worry about saying the correct things and to not be too ambitious.

Brown hopes to organize cultural visits and paintballing for his floor in the future.

By Daria Karaulova/The Gazelle

When she is free, Wu Xiaomei is either going to the gym or dancing. A senior majoring in political science, Xiamomei was born and raised in China. She hopes to one day live in snow-ridden countries where she can realize her goal of becoming a professional snowboarder. She is also passionate about fashion designing, and aspires to be a fashion designer in the future.

“[I wanted to be a RA] because [the school has done so many things for me], so I feel that I want to contribute to the community and take care of others,” Xiaomei said.

Unfortunately, Xiaomei is currently staying on an empty floor where the only residents beside her are a faculty member and her two cats.

“I am kind of disappointed,” Xiaomei said. “I want to do something for the community, to talk to the students and take care of them.”

Xiaomei is looking to help out fellow members of the NYUAD community. She asks those who are taking Chinese to find her if they have any questions about their classwork. She would be happy to help.