Profile Photo: Mahents Ravelomanantsoa

Mahents
Ravelomanantsoa

  • Distinguished Senior, 2020

  • Computer Science & Engineering



Why did you choose to attend LeTourneau?

To be honest, there was not much intentionality or thoughtful consideration from myself behind my choice to attend LeTourneau besides the fact that my sister attended LeTourneau, and I wanted to be like her since she is my role model. I just knew that I wanted to attend a college where being a student does not just mean sitting in a classroom and copying the professor’s notes from the blackboard, which is why I left my home country. I came here not really having many expectations beyond that, but I am so glad that God made a way for me to come and completely blew my mind!

 

How would you describe your time at LeTourneau?

I would say that my experience at LeTourneau has been enlightening and exciting. Before coming to LeTourneau, I did not really know myself and I did not have much confidence, but during my time here I was challenged and stretched to my core, and that’s how I started to discover myself and to be more confident. LeTourneau gave me many different opportunities that helped me find out who I was, what I like and what I am capable of, and that was very exciting! I am so glad that I tried new things and took up jobs and leadership positions that brought me outside my comfort zone because they actually brought me excitement and joy and boosted my confidence to a whole new level. My time here did not only foster personal development but also academic and spiritual development, and I am so humbled that I attended a university that created an environment where I could thrive in a comprehensive way.

 

Why did you choose your major?

When it was time to decide a major, I actually did not know what exactly I wanted to do in college or for my career that was realistic at the time, but I was encouraged to choose Computer Science because I really love math and logical thinking, and Computer Science is one of the fields that are most promising and which involves the subjects that I loved and that I was good at.

 

What does your LeTourneau education mean to you?

My LeTourneau education is a really big asset that I am taking with me wherever God is taking me next. The amount of development that has happened during my time at LeTourneau is very significant and has shaped who I am today. My LeTourneau education did not only teach me about Computer Science and Engineering and how to integrate my faith into my career, but also taught me to be a disciple, a servant, a leader, a friend and a lifelong learner. LeTourneau offered me a whole person education that I would have never gotten if I stayed back home.

 

What is one thing you'll take away from your time at LeTourneau?

One thing I will take away from my time at LeTourneau is the connections that I have made with people from all over the world and from different walks of life. At LeTourneau I got to meet many people whom I got to love, serve, follow and lead, and I hope that the relationships I have developed with them will last for a long time. I did not realize how much those connections meant to me until we had to be physically separated because of this global situation with covid-19, but I now know that community and relationship with people are things that I will not take for granted anymore.

 

What piece of advice would you give to an incoming freshman?

Do not let fear prevent you from trying new things and from saying yes to opportunities to grow! As an international student who is from a non-English speaking country, I was super scared to even approach anyone when I first came but once I decided that it’s okay even if I embarrass myself, so many doors opened for me -and I did not embarrass myself. I know you can achieve whatever you are scared of too! Also, do not compare yourself to others and do not be discouraged by those students who look like they already know everything. I did not know what I was doing but I kept pressing on and it started making sense in the process, and somehow I became a distinguished senior!