Within the next two months, Houssein Al-Eidan, who's pursuing a master's degree in accounting at UMSL, will graduate, earn his CPA license and start his dream job at Ernst & Young. (Photo by August Jennewein)

Houssein Al-Eidan feels like he is proof that dreams do come true. Growing up in Abu Al-Hasaniya, Kuwait, he envisioned coming to the United States to study, work hard and find his ideal job. And that’s just what happened for the 22-year-old University of Missouri–St. Louis student.

After graduating from high school, Al-Eidan attended the Gulf University of Science and Technology in Kuwait where he learned about the University of Missouri–St. Louis. UMSL is an international partner to GUST, with faculty providing strategic and course planning. He transferred to UMSL to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting, which he received in May 2011. He is now pursuing a master’s degree in accounting at UMSL and plans to graduate in December.

“I chose UMSL because I’ve always wanted to experience an American education. After learning about its accredited accounting program, wonderful faculty and numerous networking opportunities, I decided it was right for me,” Al-Eidan said. “UMSL has made it possible for me to find and receive my dream job.”

That job will begin Jan. 2 when Al-Eidan starts his position as an auditor for Ernst & Young in Clayton, Mo.

“When I first decided I wanted to be in the accounting profession, which was my sophomore year, I set the goal that I wanted to get my certified public accountant licensing done because it’s the highest you can go in terms of accounting and the most prestigious,” he said.

Al-Eidan began preparing for the four-part exam in late 2011. He’s completed and passed the first three parts of the CPA exam this year and is preparing to take the fourth test on Nov. 21.

“My goal was to work for one of the big four accounting firms in St. Louis,” he said. “Thanks to the efforts of Beta Alpha Psi, and the support and mentoring of faculty members, I was able to do that. I’m very thankful for this opportunity and consider myself really fortunate to have found a job doing what I love. I definitely don’t take anything for granted.”