Hlina Beyene Loves Everything About MIU
“I love everything about Maharishi International University (formerly Maharishi University of Management). There is a positive energy here, and people are welcoming. I love the diversity. I love how the faculty care about each student. They’re concerned about everyone and they guide us through everything, and I love TM (the Transcendental Meditation technique).” — Hlina Beyene (from Ethiopia)
In 2018, many of Hlina Beyene’s friends studying computer science were planning for a master’s degree in a research field, but she decided to pursue a master’s degree in a university that would prepare her to work in the IT industry. She found Maharishi International University on Google.
“I did not think MIU would help me catch up to be competent in industry. I thought I would need to do that on my own. Having completed the on-campus courses, however, I felt excited! I felt prepared. I felt competent.”
Transcendental Meditation® technique helps students
Before coming to MIU, “I didn’t know exactly about TM, but I knew I wanted to meditate. I knew through meditation I would gain some energy, some peace. I was looking for that.
“When I found MIU, I didn’t know that they would take Transcendental Meditation very seriously, but I knew I had that opportunity. When I found out that they take it seriously, and we had a chance to meditate twice a day, every day–that was a great experience for me. It is beautiful.
“MIU courses are on the block system. So, we study one subject at a time, full-time. We really have to learn each subject in a month. Sometimes it’s challenging, because we may have to finish projects within three days and do assignments every day.
“We manage the block system by doing the Transcendental Meditation technique every morning, before lunch, and at the end of classes in the afternoon. This is really helpful because it relaxes my body, and it helps me to relieve stress and focus on my work. I feel my brain is getting more and more energy every time I do TM. It is like exercising my body every day.”
Preparing to find a professional internship
“Studying advanced computer science courses was great. After 8-9 months of academic courses, we took a special course called Career Strategies. This was a 3-week workshop where Career Center staff helped us create our professional resume, prepare for internship/job interviews, and for adapting well to the US culture.
“They gave us all the necessary information we would need. In particular, we learned that when being interviewed it isn’t just them looking for special skills from me—it is also me looking at them to see if I would be happy there. I was well prepared to excel in my interviews. They give us all the necessary information we need.
“I got the internship really quickly—within a week I was hired as an Application Developer 5 at Bank of America in North Carolina. They found me through their contact with our Computer Science Career Center. The recruiters actually came to the University and they matched me to their need.”
Personal goal
“I have a special goal—to make a difference in our world. I want to encourage more women to become software developers. In developing countries, women want to take on more responsibilities, but often do not see opportunities to get ahead.
“Education such as what MIU offers will better prepare women for success in leadership positions. Educating a woman in developing countries means uplifting the whole family.
“In Ethiopia there are not enough opportunities for women to develop their careers. I want women in all developing countries to believe in themselves, and if they can get the opportunity, I highly recommend and advise them to come to MIU—a place where they can progress in their life and career.”
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