Most incoming freshmen spent their summers shopping to furnish their dorms, going to the beach or working summer jobs.

Ademola Sadik spent his writing a book on international relations, but the freshman business major is too shy to tell you.

“I don’t need all of the fanfare,” Sadik said nonchalantly. “I’m not that type of person.”

It isn’t a big deal to Sadik, just something he did before coming to the university last month.

“There are other students who have done more than I have,” he said. “I wrote the book because I thought that it would be an interesting experience, and I love to write.”

The New York native, twice published already by an anthology from the International Library of Poetry, was one of four students recognized for their outstanding achievements in high school during the New Student Orientation in Comcast Center on Aug. 30.

He is so modest about his accomplishment that several faculty and administration members have no idea about the book. “[I was only recognized] for the poetry,” Sadik said.

His nonfiction book is just one of a 26-part series published by Mason Crest Publishing. Each book focuses on one particular country in the European Union.

“[The series] focuses on a lot of stuff,” Sadik said. “It goes from the history of the country and the history of the European Union to the demographic information about the people in the country relating to that of the EU, and the economic restrictions placed on the country because of the EU.”

He was given the opportunity to participate in the series while working for Harding House Publishing, an extension of Mason Crest Publishing. He was one of just two writers in his age group.

“We had hired him as a summer employee, and we happened to find ways to use his skills,” said Ellyn Sanna, editor in chief and owner of Harding House Publishing. “Ademola was highly recommended as a bright, responsible guy who excelled at school, and we were working to employ a student.”

During the summer, Sadik wrote the text.

“I did quite a lot [of research], but all the pictures in the book, [Sanna] took care of that – just stuff about demographics, who lives in the country, the history of the country. Most of the stuff about Italy tying into the EU was done for me.”

“There was a mixture [of emotions] while writing the book,” he said. “Obviously it was exciting [initially] when it was new. But it takes a long time and personal input … and that can be frustrating. It’s a combination of feelings.”

There was no particular reason as to why Sadik focused on Italy; it was one particular country that just happened to be assigned to him. “It was just my assignment. I’ve been there, and I have relatives there, so I was okay with working on that.”

After several edits by himself, the publisher and those who worked in the publishing office, the 88-page Italy (The European Union: Political, Social and Economic Corporation) was ready for the presses. Its release date is set for Jan. 1.

“It’s exciting,” Sadik said. “I’m looking forward to going to the bookstore and seeing my book on the shelves.”

Contact reporter Nina Sears at newsdesk@dbk.umd.edu.