Hailing from Alexandria, Egypt, Lina Tammam came to UVA with passion, a history of hard work, and an unwavering desire to make a positive impact on the world. A quick chat with this dedicated McIntire third-year and squash player reveals how her drive to excel in athletics, academics, and creative pursuits came to be influenced by her family and experiences back home in Egypt and those she’s met since arriving on Grounds.
Tammam’s love for the game of squash started at age eight, thanks to her older sister. Growing up in the North African country, one of the top countries in the world for the sport, she was taken by the game despite being in a highly competitive environment that she found particularly challenging. She admits, “I wasn’t that type of player who was very talented. I had to work really, really hard.” Her determination kept her so committed that improvements in her game were pronounced by the time she was 15, and she faced the decision between going pro or continuing her education. Choosing the latter, Tammam found that the U.S. offered the perfect balance of squash and academics, particularly at the University.
“I specifically chose UVA because it’s a really big sports school,” Tammam says. But what attracted her even more was the warmth of the women’s squash team that she found—including some fellow international teammates, who made the program feel like home. “Having a big sports culture was really important to me, and UVA is one of the biggest sports schools that has squash.”
She was also drawn to Grounds by McIntire and what the school offered. Tammam was already interested in pursuing a Commerce degree, as her four siblings also studied business. Combined with her father’s background in the field, it naturally influenced her choice of major: “Business opens up a bunch of different paths that I can take,” she explains.
Her perspective on what she could achieve through business was the result of a class on the economics of Africa. “When I graduate, I hope that I can find a way to use finance to reduce poverty in Africa,” Tammam says, seeing herself possibly working at the IMF or World Bank. She believes she can use commerce to give back to the world.
On the squash court, Tammam has achieved significant milestones for herself, including earning second-team All-American honors in the 2023-2024 season, ranking among the top 16 players in the country. The most fulfilling moments came not just from individual victories but from playing with her teammates. “One of the best moments was when we won in the quarterfinals of the national championship. I’ve never felt happier in my life,” she recalls. Having grown up playing a sport that is largely individualistic, she discovered a new joy in working toward a common goal with a team of likeminded people.
While Tammam’s transition to UVA was filled with exciting opportunities, she also faced homesickness, much like many international students. Yet she found ways to manage it, leaning on her friends and teammates. She became close with her first-year roommate, who helped her navigate the ups and downs of both school and squash. “Having friends at UVA made me feel like I still had a home here,” she says. Her family remains a pillar of support as well; she talks to her mom and sister every day.
Beyond her academic and athletic commitments, Tammam nurtures a creative side as well. A talented guitarist and singer, she has managed to keep music an important part of her life, despite her busy schedule. “I actually play three times a week,” she says. She even collaborated with her assistant coach to create a song. For Tammam, music offers a welcome balance to her demanding life. “Guitar is just great,” she adds, explaining that if she ever had more time in her very busy schedule, she’d join UVA’s music club or a band.
As she looks toward the future, Tammam is determined to leverage her education at McIntire to make a difference in the world. Whether it’s through facing global challenges through commerce, promoting the sport of squash, or even combining her love for music with business, she believes that the skills she’s gaining will open doors to endless possibilities. “Just knowing that I can give back to the world in some way is amazing,” she says.
