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Growing up in Jordan, Jafar Al Zoubi (M.S. CS 2nd Year, Ph.D. CS 1st year) has always been fascinated by computers and technology. In high school he was introduced to programming languages and computer architecture, sparking a lifelong interest in computer science and software engineering.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2018, Jafar discovered a love for teaching, which allowed him to share his knowledge and passion for technology as a high school teacher.

“I focused on making my students better off in the way they are thinking critically,” Jafar says.

Though teaching remains a high priority for Jafar—he has been a teaching assistant for the past five semesters during his time as a graduate student at Illinois Tech—he soon realized that he wanted to pursue a higher degree in computer science. His journey at Illinois Tech began in 2022, when he enrolled in the English Language Services (ELS) program to hone his English skills to prepare for his graduate work.

“I struggled a little bit with the (Test of English as a Foreign Language), so I started looking with my brother—who is living in �糵����—about Illinois Tech,” says Jafar. “They can bring you in, spend some time to improve your English, and get you ready for the actual degree. The interest in the ELS program started as an opportunity to go to the United States. You have the chance to stay in the U.S. for an entire year. You’re learning about how to apply, who’s going to be taking care of my application, having the opportunity to meet the faculty in person. It was a great opportunity.”

Moving from Jordan to �糵����, Jafar emphasized how much of a culture shock it was when he first arrived. From the skyscrapers to the mix of cultures and cuisines, it was an eye-opening experience.

“There are people from all over the world. The faces, the colors, the traditions here—in the same street, you’ll find people from all around the world,” says Jafar. “I got shocked at the beginning, but it’s in a nice way. The feeling the first time that I went downtown, when the train enters the downtown after Roosevelt [Street]. Oh, my goodness! When I got out to the train and start walking in the streets downtown, it's just like I’m in a movie.”

Jafar maintains that his time as a master’s student was made easier because of the training he received in the ELS program. In addition to exploring �糵���� and immersing himself within American culture, he says that his English training improved many aspects of his work as a master’s student, from learning the proper way to construct a research paper to becoming comfortable giving presentations in front of an audience.

He even describes going through the application process with the ELS faculty, ensuring that he put his best foot forward in his application.

“I was familiar with the school facilities; I was familiar with the school services,” says Jafar. “I also was familiar with how to interact and how to build a connection with the professors around me. Even during the ELS program, I got to build connection in my major.”

After completing the ELS program, Jafar enrolled in his master’s degree in computer science. He was fascinated by programming languages, the architecture within a computer, and how they interact with each other. While he just began his Ph.D. in spring 2025, he hopes to ultimately conduct research that focuses on building systems and writing programming languages.

He’s also excited to pass along all of his new skills and knowledge to the next generation of computer scientists.

“I’m hoping to add to the field,” says Jafar. “I want to have the opportunity to improve myself and have the opportunity to share my knowledge, my interests, and help my students in their lives.”