Getting his kicks by following family to TU
Towson University international student Aizad Kamal went from soccer dreams to dissecting brains
By Kyle Hobstetter on November 15, 2021
International Initiatives
International Education Week
This fall, Towson University is home to 353 international students from 83 countries. Each student brings their experiences and shares their culture, strengthening the inclusivity that underpins the high-quality education TU students receive.
“We take tremendous pride in our diversity, and international students are a key part of our campus community,” says Melanie Perreault, provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs. “We all benefit from the different perspectives international students bring with them when they join our community.”
Towson University is proud to join the University System of Maryland in celebrating International Education Week (IEW). From Nov. 15 to 19, the International Initiatives Office will host events and programs that promote the celebration of international education and exchange.
One event being held on Tuesday, Nov. 16, is the Making Study Abroad Affordable with USAC. This special Zoom program allows students learn about affordable USAC programs, USAC scholarships and tips for making their study abroad experience both affordable and awesome.
For a complete list of International Education Week, check out the schedule through the TU International Initiatives website.
Read on to meet two-time Tiger Aizad Kamal and learn how his enthusiasm for soccer evolved into a passion for psychology.
Growing up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Aizad Kamal dreamt of becoming a professional soccer player. At 16 years old, he traveled to Washington D.C. for a tryout with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United.
While a knee injury cost him success on the pitch, he’s found a new passion—psychology. After earning a bachelor’s degree from TU in 2020, he is working toward his master’s degree in clinical psychology with a focus on neuroscience.
Initially, he was attracted to psychology because he was interested in why humans behave the way they do. But his interest in neuroscience came during his junior year after a class with professor Bryan Devan.
It was there Kamal heard the story of how thieves stole Albert Einstein’s brain and had it examined. The story inspired him, and now he studies how the brain works in animals and humans.
“I am currently doing brain dissections in mice to see [how] certain areas relate to the studying of neuro-degenerative diseases,” Kamal says. “Overall, we’re doing a neuro-anatomy study where we study certain parts of the brain and how it relates to diseases such as Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.”
Growing up in Malaysia, the thought of dissecting brains never crossed Kamal’s mind. He laughs as he admits that he’s just been following the flow of life.
That’s actually how he came to Towson University as an international student in 2014. His sister, Adriana, wanted to study in America and to be close to Washington D.C. and the Malaysian Embassy.
While looking at colleges in the area, a viral video about TU came up on YouTube. The campus and diversity shown in the video was attractive to Adriana. She was followed by brother Azri and then Aizad. All three now have bachelor’s degrees from TU.
While it may seem like Aizad was following in his siblings’ footsteps, he truly came to love TU’s campus.
“My experience has been amazing…there is a reason why I came back [for my master’s degree],” laughs Aizad. “At first it was really quite hard to adjust to a new culture—the food, the language, the people—but now it’s become second nature to me. I just love the atmosphere here.
“Especially the diversity, you can tell that by just walking around campus and then looking at the flags on the International Walkway that promote the different students from different countries.”
The International Initiatives Office helped Kamal transition to living in the United States. He also worked as a student assistant for the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO), where he gave fellow international students an introduction to Towson University.
“I would consider [the ISSO] as my family,” Kamal says. “Some of the staff would come visit me during the summer in Malaysia, and my parents would give them a tour of Kuala Lumpur and treat them like part of my family.”
ISSO and fellow international students even helped him get back in touch with his athletic side. Kamal is a fan of badminton, and when he realized there wasn’t a badminton club on campus, he partnered with Campus Rec to develop one.
Read more about Azri and Aizad Kamal: Finding their second home at TU
What started out small with less than 20 people grew to more than 80 club members at one time, including students from the United States, Africa and the United Kingdom among other countries.
“My intention was not to focus on the sport but on students coming together, having fun and making friends,” Kamal says. “And it became a reality. Everybody came in and had a great time and was able to meet new friends from around the world.”