Shahd Mosa

Aspiring Architect | Student Leader & Co-Founder

Class of 2027 Admissions Portfolio

Hello

My Story

Hello, my name is Shahd Mosa. I am a senior at the Universal Academy of Florida and an active member of my school community, where I love connecting with my peers and teachers to build heartfelt relationships.

I was born in Cairo, Egypt, where I spent the first 7 years of my childhood. I have spent the rest of my life in the USA.

**The Pyramids of Giza**Photo: aboud17 via Pexels

Fun factI lived in Giza, right next to the Great Pyramids. Yup, right next to them.

Why architecture

My Passion

I am deeply passionate about architecture. I have dreamed about becoming someone who builds things ever since I was 6 years old. It actually goes back to driving past the Pyramids of Giza and feeling completely awed by how tall and ancient they were. I remember looking up at them and wondering how such massive monuments were built.

As I grew older, I explored other iconic structures like Big Ben, the Florence Cathedral and the Muhammad Ali Palace. In middle school, my fascination with designing and creating things from scratch truly took off, and that passion stayed with me all the way through high school.

I believe in beauty and truth. One thing I find beautiful about buildings is their ability to preserve the past while expressing the future. My passion for architecture is deeply tied to my love for history, my favorite subject. I love exploring how the world works, and what better way to do that than through the buildings people leave behind?

**Big Ben, London**Photo: Colin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

**Florence Cathedral, Italy**Photo: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

**Muhammad Ali Palace, Manial, Cairo**Photo: Summering2018, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“Every building tells a unique story.”

The journey

Timeline

Childhood · Cairo & GizaBorn in Cairo and lived next to the Great Pyramids for the first 7 years.
Age 6Dreamed of becoming someone who builds things, inspired by the Pyramids of Giza.
Growing upExplored Big Ben, the Florence Cathedral and the Muhammad Ali Palace.
Middle schoolFell in love with designing and creating things from scratch.
High schoolCo-founded the architecture club at Universal Academy of Florida with a friend, to inspire fellow students interested in design.
The club growsGuest lectures from professional architects and advisors, hands-on lessons in design skills and architectural history, and field trips including the 1001 Inventions exhibition.
TodayA senior building this website to host club resources and guide students as they create their own portfolios and explore design careers.

Who shaped me

My Inspirations

Zaha Hadid

Pioneering architect

She revolutionized modern and futuristic design by experimenting with unconventional materials. Inspired by her, I want to create my own approach: blending classic historical elements with modern styles to design spaces rich in culture, unity and depth.

“There are 360 degrees, so why stick to one?”

Malcolm X

Always searching for the truth

A truthful and knowledgeable man who stood out to me because he never stopped searching for the truth, something I strive to do every day. Finding the true purpose behind things is crucial to doing them right.

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

My father

My moral compass

My guide through life. His honest feedback has taught me to embrace constructive criticism and to keep learning from my mistakes.

Creating opportunities

Making a Difference

I strongly believe in creating opportunities for positive change. To act on this belief, a friend and I co-founded an architecture club at our school to inspire fellow students interested in design.

Through our club, we offer guest lectures from professional architects and advisors, hands-on lessons in design skills and architectural history, and field trips, including a visit to the 1001 Inventions exhibition. I also built a website to host club resources and guide students as they build their own portfolios and explore design careers.