Hussein AlRifai is a young citizen of the world, born in Lebanon and now living in Italy, in the Liguria region. At just 23 years old, he has already embarked on a path of personal and professional growth that sets him apart for depth, vision, and concreteness. Hussein is a computer engineering student, a civic representative, a passionate photographer, a creative cook, a digital communicator, and above all a young man who has been able to draw strength from his origins to build a present rich in meaning and a future full of purpose.
His story is a story of transition, adaptation, and transformation, which begins in the streets of Beirut and continues in the heart of Liguria, where he chose to grow, study, represent, and contribute. Hussein is the symbol of a generation that does not wait for change, but builds it with courage, skills, and humanity.
It all begins in 2013, when Hussein receives his first iPad. At just 10 years old, he does not limit himself to playing games or browsing the web: he explores it, analyzes it, customizes it. He dives into the world of jailbreaking, experiments with the limits of the iOS system, discovers tricks, enhancements, and alternative systems. In a short time, he becomes a point of reference for friends and family: anyone with a problem on their device knew that Hussein would find a solution.
He was not just “good with devices.” Hussein showed an analytical mind, uncommon patience, and a dedication to solving technological problems that went far beyond simple childhood curiosity. It was clear that this passion, born almost as a game, would become the backbone of his academic and professional growth.
In 2020, Hussein decided to move to Italy, driven by the desire to build a solid future consistent with his passions. Before university, he attended the Italian Cultural Institute in Beirut, where in just six months he achieved a B1 level in the Italian language. An impressive result, born of commitment and discipline, which allowed him to quickly integrate into the new linguistic and cultural reality.
He enrolled at the University of Genoa in the Computer Engineering degree program, thus starting the academic path that today forms the foundation of his professional profile. But Hussein does not stop at official programs: he also attends a specialized course to become an iOS App Developer, with the goal of developing useful, intuitive, and functional apps for the Apple ecosystem.
Alongside his studies, Hussein works on numerous digital projects. The most ambitious is undoubtedly the smart cooking website: a platform that allows users to enter the ingredients available at home and receive suggestions for compatible recipes. A project born from a personal difficulty—living alone and not knowing what to cook—transformed into an innovative and sustainable solution.
In addition to this, Hussein has developed:
- A personal portfolio website;
- The official website of the SCU Liguria Representation;
- A website for orders for a burger restaurant;
- A web-based simulation calculator;
- Numerous Excel spreadsheets for managing community funds and personal earnings.
He has obtained certifications in:
- Front-End Engineering;
- Web Development;
- HTML and CSS.
On February 21, 2025, Hussein was elected Deputy Regional Representative of the Universal Civil Service for Liguria. Following the resignation of the main representative, he was officially appointed Regional Representative. In this role, Hussein represents hundreds of young volunteers, interfacing with organizations, institutions, and national representatives.
During his service, he completed comprehensive training, including:
- Active citizenship;
- Conscientious objection and non-violent civil defense;
- Interpersonal communication and relationship management;
- Migrant integration and helping relationships;
- Associations and volunteering;
- Civil protection;
- Workplace safety.
He also produced:
- Promotional videos for the SCU 25/26 call;
- Official graphics for institutional communication;
- Support in creating the SCU section on the organization’s website.
He also worked at a digital help desk to assist elderly people in using tools such as SPID, demonstrating strong empathetic and operational skills.
Hussein managed a highly followed Instagram page for three years (later removed), where he published artistic photos, portraits, and street photography. He worked as a freelance photographer, offering services to private clients and refining his ability to capture beauty in everyday details. Even though photography is no longer at the center of his future projects, it remains an expressive language through which he communicates his view of the world.
Hussein is an excellent cook, with a strong preference for Lebanese cuisine. His dishes are a bridge between culture and flavor, representing one of his most authentic forms of daily creativity. For him, cooking is care, identity, and sharing.
In his free time, he plays football. After starting as a midfielder, he chose the role of goalkeeper, which perfectly reflects his character: calm, patient, reflective, yet always ready to intervene with precision in decisive moments.
Hussein AlRifai is a young man building his future with determination and vision. From the boy who took apart his Apple devices to discover their secrets, to the regional representative who listens to and guides young volunteers, Hussein has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to adapt, learn, and grow.
His passion for technology, combined with creativity and leadership skills, makes him an example of how young people can transform their passions into meaningful life paths. With his digital cooking project currently under development, Hussein seeks to leave a concrete impact on the world, using technology to simplify people’s lives and reduce food waste.
In the future, he could become a point of reference in the technology sector, combining technical expertise and humanity in a way that inspires other young people to pursue their dreams and build a better world.