Rita Barhouche

A smiling young woman with curly brown hair and freckles stands before a blue door with a knocker.
Class of
2027
Major(s)
Aerospace Engineering
Hometown
Sahel Alma, Lebanon

Rita is a senior aerospace engineering major from Sahel Alma, Lebanon. Rita lives in Pasquerilla East Hall, and her favorite hall tradition is Red Hot Wings, a hot-wing-eating competition between dorms that raises money for charity.

For Rita, Notre Dame has become home. "I've never resonated with the statement 'home away from home' more," Rita says, "because even though I am over 6,000 miles away from Lebanon, ND has given me a home through my classes, my dorm, my clubs, and every single experience."

On campus, Rita plays ultimate frisbee, works on The Dome yearbook, and serves as a Senior Fellow with the McDonald Center for Student Well-Being. Rita has also participated in ND Bridge, a summer research fellowship at Notre Dame, and the Naughton Fellowship in Dublin.

Ask Rita about being an international student, careers in aerospace engineering, art, mental health, hiking, and all things ND.