I see myself as a peace steward and cultural ambassador for humanity. It all began at 15, when I decided to learn English with Amideast, and then in 2010, during my exchange year with the YES program. Living in Kansas, I quickly learned how human connections break down misconceptions about where we come from. This inspired my mission. I dreamed of traveling across the U.S. on a Greyhound bus, engaging with people everywhere. Through these interactions, I discovered that many people don’t communicate with each other; if we sat down and had conversations about our shared experiences, we could break down misconceptions and move toward peace and understanding.
Voyaj emerged from my efforts to connect people, using technology as a tool to facilitate cross-cultural exchanges. While my early twenties brought many proud moments (like bringing together kids from across the African continent to the United States on a Voyaj Experience, or collaborating with the World Bank Group to bring 100s of women entrepreneurs together across the MENA region) the true excitement now lies in inspiring thousands to go on their own voyages. Whether it’s someone from Lebanon staying with a family in the U.S. for an authentic exchange or people overcoming misconceptions about places like Morocco, the impact is profound.
Through my exchange experience, I’ve witnessed younger generations’ natural curiosity and readiness to engage with the world. As people age, maintaining this curiosity becomes challenging, but studying abroad early on can sustain it. It’s all about going beyond the touristic experience. How do you get people to ask themselves: What’s this person’s story?
By 2034, I see Voyaj uniting millions worldwide, fostering human connections that bridge cultural divides and promote global peace. It’s bold, but it’s my dream.
“Reach for the stars and land on the moon,” they say. Personally, I aim even higher—I dream of going to the moon one day. Because why not?
So believe in yourself, respond to ‘no’ with ‘why not,’ and surround yourself with people who believe in you. That’s the wisdom I live by.
