For many freshmen in Civil Engineering, academically rigorous courses taught in English present a significant challenge. However, in the course "Introduction to Civil Engineering" delivered by Dr. Y. Shabana, students not only successfully navigated these challenges but also gained a profound appreciation for their chosen field through a unique hands-on activity—the "Campus Surveying" project.

The course was designed with periodic assessments and frequent quizzes, which emphasized the importance of consistent daily effort and built a solid foundational understanding for the students. A key innovative element was the outdoor teaching session initiated by Dr. Shabana, who strongly advocated for combining theoretical knowledge with practical application.

The "Campus Surveying" activity required students to measure various buildings on campus using the knowledge they had acquired in class. This experience was instrumental in transforming abstract concepts into tangible skills, allowing students to directly experience the joy and critical importance of practical work in engineering. This successful learning journey provided the freshmen with a primary understanding of civil engineering, broadened their international perspectives, and laid a robust foundation for their future academic and professional endeavors.