In this Ramadan special of Tea with GenZ, host Mahra Alshamsi sits down with Mohammed Alghazali, the Student Council’s Emirati Representative, a content creator, and an aspiring triathlete, to talk about discipline, productivity, and work-life balance during the holy month. From fasting while training to managing academics and leadership responsibilities, Mohammed shares how he stays consistent, grounded, and motivated. This episode explores building strong habits, protecting your energy, and showing up with purpose, even when your schedule is full.

In this episode, we spotlight MedHack, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between medicine and innovation. AUS student Jurie joins us to discuss a critical challenge within the vast field of healthcare: groundbreaking ideas often remain untapped due to the disconnect between medical insight and technological development. To address this, MedHack is bringing one of its largest initiatives yet to AUS on March 28, MedEngineers. This hackathon-style competition unites students from medicine and engineering to collaborate, design functional prototypes, and pitch their solutions to potential investors. By fostering interdisciplinary teamwork, MedEngineers aims to turn innovative ideas into impactful healthcare solutions.

When did we start getting older, and who decided there was a deadline for life milestones? In this episode, we reflect on age, mindset, and the pressure society places on young adults to have everything figured out in their twenties. From expectations around marriage and children to reflections on personal growth, the conversation explores how maturity and mindsets do not have strict timelines, but evolve differently for each person and across generations. A thoughtful discussion on what it really means to grow, discussing the factors that influence it, such as self-awareness, frontal lobe development, and generational differences.

In this episode, we sit down with the owners of Soul Cafe—an AUS student, Ahmad Yaqoob, and alumni, Mohammed Yaqoob, duo —to uncover the journey behind one of campus’s most soulful spots. From the first spark of an idea to the final product you know and love today, we dive into the highs, hurdles, and heart that shaped the café. We also unpack the deeper meaning behind the name Soul Cafe and how identity, culture, and community are brewed into everything they do.

This episode digs into men’s mental health with the Mental Health Association (MHA) representative, Hamza, and counsellor Toubia Farah. We unpack toxic masculinity, society’s expectations, and why men are often silenced when expressing their struggles. A real conversation about stigma, vulnerability, and giving men the space to feel and heal.

In this episode of Tea With Gen Z, we sit down with Dr. Aqeel Taher, a long-serving AUS faculty member. We discuss the strengths and challenges of Gen Z engineering students, touching on ethics, learning styles, and the evolving academic landscape. The conversation concludes with Dr. Aqeel’s perspective on AI, its ethical use, and his advice for the next generation of engineers.

In this episode of Tea with Gen Z, new host Tira and creative director Oussama Jamal examine the rising cycle of overconsumption shaping Gen Z. They explore the rapid spread of microtrends, the growing influence of de-influencing, and the impact of fast fashion—all accelerated during the COVID-19 era. Through focused questions and clear insights, the conversation uncovers how trends move faster than ever and why this pace affects identity, sustainability, and personal choice. The episode concludes with a call for more mindful, intentional consumption.

This episode dives into the idea of balance; the constant act of managing all the moving parts of our lives. Whether it’s school, work, friendships, or personal growth, finding balance helps us make thoughtful choices and stay grounded in the chaos. We talk about how to manage responsibilities, explore new interests, and remind ourselves that it’s never too late to take part in more activities or try something new!