Have you ever experienced that urging kick for a coffee while studying for an exam? Or the need to socialize with your friends in the warmth of a Sunday morning? Well, we all did! As we get ready to head for our survival kit for the day or night, we can’t but think of all the familiar faces that we will be seeing once we step foot in the cafeteria. From the people who reserve spots at the same tables all day to the faculty that show up for a cup of coffee at specific hours sharp, to the familiar personnel that after numerous interactions a day end up learning your specific orders, we can’t but appreciate those little moments that end up becoming our college memories. Among these amazing people, there is one person who marked the days of AUIers for several years. This person is Si Hamid.
AUI chronicle decided to interview this familiar and dear face in our community that became part of the AUI experience.
If you are an Auier and you don’t know Si Hamid ma3refti walou!
AUI Alumni
I interviewed Si Hamid on a rainy Thursday afternoon. While I was waiting for him to end his shift, I couldn’t but notice the high spirit and big smile on his face every time he was serving students, staff, or faculty. His excitement for the interview and the happiness that he expressed every time that I mentioned the Alumnas, the students off-campus, and the students on campus made me realize that during these 4 years we get to build our own AUI family.
Si Hamid first came to AUI 12 years ago as personnel of the cafeteria. He always enjoyed human interactions with the student body. The experience overall was full of happy memories and funny anecdotes with a few ups and downs that he qualified as normal and recurrent in every person’s professional life. When comparing previous generations of AUIers and current students, he funnily remarked that previous AUIers used to look physically so grown up you wouldn’t think that they were only teenagers in their first university years. While now, he feels that students are looking younger from one cohort to another. But he specified that most students come to AUI with objectives and ambitions to fulfill.
Although several years have gone by, Si Hamid still remembers the familiar faces. He is in constant contact with AUIers and a lot of Alumni pay a visit to him the same way they would do with a relative. For him, everyone must be treated with respect and warmth. He believes so because most of the AUIers are away from home and for him, the cafeteria should feel like their comfort zone. If they ever have personal issues, academic or professional matters, with a smile and a good attitude you can make them forget about all their problems.
Among the things that he likes in AUI are his everyday job and the campus atmosphere when it’s full of students. He narrates that sometimes he is sent on duty to serve in other rooms, but the feeling was never the same and it’s incomparable to being in direct contact with students.
Students are educated, knowledgeable, they know how to communicate so the interaction with them is easier. The company with whom he works is a big organization that serves in different cities and in different state departments but his work and this feeling of belonging to AUI would never be felt the same way if he had worked somewhere else.
He noticed that there are different profiles among students. While some are extroverts and easy to engage with, others are shy and introverted. Mentalities and behaviors are different. For him, the two different profiles should be treated with regard and respect.
Most students are considerate of the personnel, at least from what he noticed in the cafeteria. Many times, some students that know him personally try to skip the queue to get their order ready. While this may put him in a delicate situation with other people in line, he just tries to explain the constraint to them and they understand right away. In addition, if others have class and are already in a rush and they just want a drink he may accept their order while making sure to apologize to the person in the line.
It is normal that some days people may feel down or not in the mood. Regardless of my state of mind, I like to start my day with a big smile. You always have to separate your personal issues from your daily interaction.
Si Hamid
When I asked Si Hamid what would the campus vibe be if students were not allowed back to campus, he answered that he wouldn’t want to work. He laughed and stated that he would rather stay confined as well. He adds that if the university ever locks down the campus and we all get stuck inside he will be ready to stay inside and continue his work within the community. Last month when the university decided to close the doors and to continue teaching remotely, he stayed in contact with students asking about their news and well-being. They were doing the same for him.
Among the anecdotes that he told me was one that happened to him a few years ago. While he was walking in the streets of Casablanca alongside one of his colleagues, he was surprised by hearing a voice shouting their names out of nowhere, he turns around and he finds out that it was one of the AUI alumni. The girl was so excited to see them that she stopped in the middle of the road and said hi to them and asked about their news. That moment made him feel so happy and it proved how much the relationships built in AUI are not ephemeral but rather lifetime ones.
With tears in his eyes and nostalgia, Si Hamid addressed a message to all AUIers, wishing them a happy and successful life. He stresses how much all AUIers are dear to his heart and these moments will remain in his mind forever.
PS: He can’t wait to serve you your usual cup of coffee!
