My name is Deiahdeen Alhjaj and I am a student at the University of Oregon majoring in business administration with a concentration in business analytics, and a minor in mathematics. My whole life I have lived in Beaverton, Oregon, so moving to Eugene has been a different life experience. This is my first year in Eugene, so I’m excited to become a part of this community by working at Farmers Insurance.
I love Oregon! I think it is one of the most naturally beautiful parts of the whole country. I love spending my mornings outside taking in the fresh air and hopefully some sunshine every once and a while! Outdoor activities are my favorite, such as hiking, camping, and going to the coast.
I’ve lived in Oregon my whole life, but my parents are originally from Libya, so like many with immigrant parents, I grew up in a multicultural environment. I think this has taught me to be open-minded and treat everyone with an equal level of respect. More specifically, Arabic culture has taught me hospitality, determination, loyalty, and honesty.
In addition to visiting Libya every few years, I have also been to several other countries. I’ve been to the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Egypt, Tunisia, and of course Libya. If I had to say my favorite place that I’ve been to, it would be a little island off the coast of Tunisia called Djerba. Relatively unknown, it is a popular site to visit in North Africa, and the beaches, architecture, resorts, and food there are absolutely fantastic.
On the topic of food, one of my hobbies is experimenting with new recipes. Whether it turns out delicious or below average, the process is what I get the most enjoyment out of. My favorite dish to make is a traditional Libyan plate called Makaruna Imbaukha, which is a fusion of Italian and Arabic flavors.
