After finishing my PhD in Germany about masonry structures, I went back to my country Syria proud of my new degree. My father, a simple farmer, asked me whether I can deploy my knowledge of masonry buildings in an earthquake endangered region like Syria. In a country  like Germany this was not an issue, Germany has almost no remarkable earthquake activities.

I had to come back to Germany and look for possibilities to support my studies at the University of California in San Diego, a leading university in designing structures subject to earthquakes. Marie-Curie Fellowships offered by the European Union was my best choice to cover my trip and study costs in the United States as well as support my further professional development.