Anas Abu Amar

-September 2023
LinkedIn

Meet Anas Abu Ammar, a 17-year-old coming from Bethlehem, whose journey through Meshka, a transformative program, ended up in one of the US top schools. 

It all began for Anas in 2020 when he joined Meshka's first cohort. The program introduced him to challenging training sessions and competitive programming competitions that required hours of dedication and commitment, alongside his studies.

In 2021 and 2022, Anas took part in the Palestinian Collegiate Programming Contest (PCPC) for university students. Together with his Meshka team, they ranked 11th both times, the competition ignited a spark within him.

“It was a very new and interesting place to be, working with a team in Meshka, where we are all in a competition working on one problem, on one computer, and trying to work together to win, dividing the problem into each one of us and complementing each other. That taught me a lot about working with people”

Anas then reached another remarkable milestone in 2022 when he and his Meshka teammates represented their program in the Arab Future Programming Contents held in Jordan. The competition takes place between students from the Middle East. Anas and his team secured the 3rd place, proudly showcasing their talents on the international stage. His outstanding performance in the contest secured him a 50% scholarship at the University of Applied Science in Jordan.

In 2023, Anas participated in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a global competition. To everyone's amazement, Anas achieved an impressive 3rd place in Behavioral Social Science. His project focused on simplifying healthcare services for the elderly, demonstrating not only technical expertise but also a deep sense of empathy and social responsibility.

“The training with Meshka provides countless hours of training on solving different problems with different levels. Each problem can take up to 45 minutes to solve. After half an hour of working on a problem, I can suddenly find a hint, and that’d be it for this problem; it is a very interesting process”

However, the real turning point in Anas's life came during a visit to Texas in May. It was here that he realized the profound impact of his problem-solving skills. Applying his knowledge to real-life situations, he underwent a significant mindset shift. He discovered that problem-solving wasn't just about writing code; it was about approaching life's challenges with creativity and resilience. Through Meshka, Anas's English and academic skills underwent a remarkable transformation. Working as part of a team in intense competitions taught him valuable lessons in collaboration and teamwork. Meshka also equipped him with essential life skills, such as crafting persuasive personal statements and resumes, which played a pivotal role in his application to United World College USA.

Anas's achievements didn't go unnoticed. Khadoori Tech University recognized his talents and awarded him a scholarship for the IC programming contest. However, the pinnacle of his success was receiving a full scholarship to the prestigious United World College USA. In their acceptance letter, the college praised his local problem-solving initiatives and his ability to work effectively in programming contests. In the acceptance letter he received from the school, the admissions wrote: “We are inspired by your achievements and how you solve your local problems and work with your team in the programming contests.”

“Training with Meshka helped me learn how to write a personal statement, a strong resume, and how to properly apply for schools, if it wasn’t for these methodologies I learned I wouldn’t have gotten close to UWC acceptance.”

Anas's journey continued to evolve as he qualified to represent his school in the International Olympics for Robotics 2024, where he showcased his skills in robotics and AI. Currently, he's studying under a fully funded scholarship at UWS High School, with all his tuition, accommodation, and other expenses covered. As Anas reflects on his Meshka experience, he proudly recalls the countless hours spent tackling challenging problems and the unmatched support he received from his instructors and teammates. To him, Meshka was more than just a program; it was a warm and nurturing environment where his passion for programming and problem-solving flourished.

“I got a lot of support and motivation from my team and instructors at Meshka, it is a very warm and family-like environment”

Anas's story is a testament to the transformative power of education, determination, and the support of a nurturing community. His journey inspires us all to chase our dreams, surpass our limits, and embrace the opportunities that come our way.