People of Intel - Subiya Yaseen

Subiya Yaseen,
Pre Silicon Design Verification Engineer, Intel Shannon

As I was growing up and studying in Bangalore, I fostered an intense passion for Math. Despite having learned 6 languages throughout my life I still have nightmares about sitting in a language exam. But math was fun and I always scored high marks. The dedication and creativity required in mathematics increased my enthusiasm for mathematics. In fact, my friends and I often communicated through the language of math, using math symbols and expressions as codes for words and sentiments.

After working as an Assistant Professor for a few years training electronics graduates with respect to communications and hardware design language, I felt the need for something more challenging. To gain new knowledge and skills I decided to make a change in my career. I had already done a master’s in technology in VLSI (Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits) and Embedded System Design and was looking to do another master’s or Ph.D. During this time, I recalled that a few of my students had done masters in Ireland and had enjoyed the experience, so I took the plunge and came to do a Masters in Computer Communication Systems in Limerick.  

It was my first time leaving India and I arrived in Dublin at 2am and instantly got on a bus to Limerick. When I got there, I told my landlord that I wanted to go back home! There was no Indian food in the kitchen and I thought I would have to starve to death. Luckily, a former student of mine was working at Dell, and when we met, she showed me the Asian supermarkets and calmed me down. It didn’t take me very long to settle down. I thought I would experience a huge culture shock but that didn’t happen as the Irish community was so warm and welcoming that I straightaway felt at home. Bangalore is known as the Green City in India, so the landscape here felt familiar to me. Initially, I was anxious about how I would adapt, especially me being sensitive to cold, but I love it so much now I have a cold water shower every morning and never feel the cold.

While I was studying here, I also worked as a mathematics specialist at a local tuition center for senior cycle students and the manager was working with the migrant community so I joined her and provided free lessons. It was a wonderful way of making connections and meeting people from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. It helped me enlarge my worldview and gave me a greater sense of understanding of others. That’s why as soon as I joined Intel last year, I joined the Inclusion Team as it gave me a platform to express my thoughts on inclusion and its importance. I believe our one-to-one connections with each other are the foundation for change. The inclusion team has been very encouraging and amicable. Although I come from a different country and a different cultural background I felt like I could be myself.

I joined Intel in the middle of the global pandemic. My present manager went out of his way to meet me and made sure I felt welcomed in the team and Intel, even though I didn’t meet most of my team or visit the campus for the first 15 months on this job. I began to really enjoy being here and got accustomed to my new life. I was living in a house with four other women from different parts of the world, so it wasn’t too bad working remotely. I’ve even embraced the food here. All my life I’ve struggled to gain weight but ever since I moved to Ireland, I’ve put on 15kgs and I finally feel I’m the weight I should be. Must be something in the water! I think it’s also the fact that I’m achieving my dream and I feel very content. 

Back then I was very shy and used to worry about every silly thing. One day I was crying to my professor back in Bangalore and he advised me saying “this is the one day you hold in your hand, so live it. Everything will pass”. This one piece of advice had a huge impact on my life. I thought about this a lot and realised that there is no point in worrying about anything. You have to put in the effort for the things you want, and that is all you can do. Accept the day as it is. That is why I take a cold water shower challenge as a Mo Sister supporting Movember because every day is a rebirth. That’s the only way I want to live. I have no worries and know everything will always work out.

In the apartment complex where I live, I spend time with the children during weekends and in the summer. They call me ‘The Teacher’.  I sometimes take them out and I’ve been training them on basic things like mental well-being and teaching them some exercises and games. They’re all from different nationalities - Irish, Indian, Pakistani, Nigerian and they’re also learning the concept of inclusion. It’s important to me because it can be hard accepting someone from a different culture and outlook and it requires a generous heart. I appreciate the love, affection, and acceptance I received in Ireland. I have never felt a sense of not belonging here.

Every day is a rebirth and I know that if I want to achieve something, I will pursue that as long as I’m not harming anyone else. But what I hope for is that I somehow benefit someone enough to be remembered after I’m  gone. I want to have made a difference.

Read more from of our People of Intel series.