Q&A with Mario Attalla

Western Engineering’s supportive, team-oriented culture made me feel included from day one and motivated to grow academically and personally.

Mario Attalla

Third Year Software Engineering

 

Mario is a student ambassador here to answer your questions. Click here to contact Mario.

Why Western Engineering?

I chose Western Engineering because of the supportive atmosphere that the faculty provides. From the very first day of orientation, I was welcomed as part of a family, and it was emphasized that engineering is a team sport where students support one another in their academic careers. This culture made me feel included and motivated. Additionally, the state-of-the-art campus impressed me during my first visit to the school, which only reinforced my desire to be part of this program.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I enjoy staying active by going to the gym. I am also a big sports fan and follow soccer, baseball, tennis, football, basketball, and Formula 1. Recently, the sport that I have gotten into the most this past summer has been golf. I also stay involved in my church by teaching Sunday School to young children and being part of the Coptic Orthodox Campus Association at Western.

What was your orientation week experience like as a fi rst-year student?

My orientation week experience was unforgettable. Having lived in Bayfield in my first year, I was part of many of the Saugeen events, and this is where I met many people that I am still close with today. The engineering events were also amazing, and I saw firsthand the culture that made Western Engineering unique. The biggest highlights for me from this week was the engineering karaoke, the mud baths, and the concert.

Why did you choose your specific stream of engineering?

I chose software engineering because of my programming experience before beginning my first year, which was reinforced by my positive experience in the ES1036 programming class. Furthermore, I have always been passionate about technology, and the versatility of software engineering always stood out to me because of the ability to work in many different industries. Finally, it is a field that allows me to use my problem-solving skills to create tools that people use in their daily lives.

What is your favourite book, movie or TV show?

My favourite movies are all three in the Creed series. My favourite book is 1984. My favourite TV shows are Breaking Bad and Invincible.

Who do you look up to/admire and why?

The people that I look up to the most are my parents. As immigrants, we moved from Kuwait to Canada when I was only five years old. They had to sacrifice so much just to move to a country for a better life for me and my older sister. Growing up, they always supported me in every activity and continue to do so today. Having them as support is one of the biggest reasons I have been able to do well in my first two years and is something I try not to take for granted.