our current students
INCOMING CLASS OF 2021
 | Khaled Abunijaila, a registered refugee from Gaza City, attended the private Rosary Sisters school through high school, where he maintained an outstanding academic record and continuously ranked at the top of his class. Keen to learn about different cultures and communities, Khaled spent his junior year in Michigan through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, completing more than 50 hours of community service and participating in varsity sports and other school activities. Khaled is excited to be back in Michigan, where he is the first Palestinian to represent his country at Siena Heights University. He plans to double major in marketing and international business. |
 | Mohammed Alhalimi’s passion for computers began at a young age, leading him to participate in local and international competitions and hackathons, where he won numerous prices. The Gaza native also launched his own tech startup with the help of GazaSkyGeeks, headed his school’s science and math tutoring clubs, and started many initiatives to help improve digital literacy in his school and community. Mohammed participated in the U.S. Department of State-funded, Amideast-administered English Access Microscholarship (Access) Program and spent a year of high school in California with the YES program. He is beginning his studies in computer studies at Caltech this fall. |
 | A registered refugee from Gaza, Zuhair Almassri attended Holy Family School, where he demonstrated creativity and academic excellence and volunteered at local organizations, such as Atfaluna Society for the Deaf and Al Rantisi Children Hospital. In addition, he helped initiate a summer camp where children could learn about Gaza's culture and history. Zuhair was accepted to the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Abraham Lincoln Incentive Grants and Hope Fund programs and, with their help, is thrilled to begin studying computer science at Union College. |
 | Mohammad Awwad, a registered refugee from Ramallah, is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in computer science at Roanoke College. He attended a private school, Latin Birzeit, through high school, except for a year spent in the United States through the YES program. He is also an alumnus of the English Access and the Lincoln Grants programs. Grateful for these opportunities, he says, “Amideast has been a huge part of my life; it helped me build the skills and confidence to follow my dreams. [It] always had an effect on my progress and my dream to make the world a better place.” |
 | Mohammed Hanoun, a registered refugee from Nablus, has been keenly interested in the subject of economics for many years. He attended Ramallah Friends School, where he dedicated his free time to learning more about the subject and graduated with an international baccalaureate diploma (IB). He is excited to begin his bachelor's degree program in international economics at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar. |
 | Raghad Hasanein, a registered refugee from the Gaza Strip, attended UNRWA schools before moving to public schools, where she was a top-ranked, well-rounded student. As she begins her undergraduate studies at Stanford University, she is planning to major in computer science and minor in gender studies but she anticipates that Stanford’s interdisciplinary environment will allow her to discover even more interests. |
 | Aya Ismail, a registered refugee from Gaza City, attended UNRWA schools for her primary education and completed her secondary education at a government school. She is at Tufts University, where she plans to major in media studies and minor in gender studies. Aya believes that visual media offer a vast potential for helping Palestinian women to be a part of the global community, as well as to empower them to voice their stories, successes, and hardships. She plans to use her undergraduate study of media theories to shed light on the many struggles that Palestinian women encounter from both the occupation and patriarchy. |
 | As a Palestinian refugee growing up in a rural Lebanese town, Majd Khalaf excelled at physics and mathematics and was passionate about constructing buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure. Today, at Norwich University in Vermont, he is taking his first step toward realizing his dream of completing both undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil engineering. Majd values the American college system’s focus on interdisciplinary learning and small class sizes that promote collaborative thinking and aspires “to help other students achieve their dreams as much as Amideast helped me.” |
 | Anas Matar is a registered refugee from Deir Al-Balah, Gaza. He attended the private Al-Salah High School, where he maintained an outstanding academic record, served as vice president of the English club, and was an active member of the technology club. In addition, he competed in the Ministry of Education’s National Competition, winning first place in the “Innovative Technologies” category during his junior year. Anas was accepted to the Lincoln Incentive Grants and the Hope Fund programs, both of which helped him develop academically and personally and prepared him for future study in the United States. He plans to major in computer science at Rhodes College. |
 | Yara Matar, a registered refugee from Al-Nuseirat Camp, Gaza, attended UNRWA schools for nine years before moving to government schools to complete her secondary education. Her profound interest in learning languages, evident throughout her education, led to her selection for both the English Access and YES programs. While on the YES program, spending a year with an American host family in Washington, D.C., she studied English, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL). When she returned to Gaza, she started an ASL club at her high school and shared her new knowledge with others. Yara is planning to continue her passion for languages at Earlham College, where she will major in comparative languages and linguistics. |
 | The youngest of five children, Ameer Mohra grew up in Gaza, where he graduated from Arafat Secondary Boys School, a highly selective, competitive government magnet school for gifted and talented students. An outstanding student, he excelled in the sciences, particularly computer science, and was active in extracurricular activities. He started learning about computers and programming after joining One Million Arab Programmers, a competitive opportunity that included online Android development courses from Google. He also participated in a robotics competition between schools in the Gaza Strip, developing a robot that could be moved by voice. Ameer is majoring in computer science at Bridgewater College. |
 | Mohammed Murtaja excelled academically at governmental schools in Gaza and, at the age of 12, began learning to code and design websites, interests he continued to develop through the “Code for Palestine Program,” which put him in touch with professors and graduates at elite American universities like Stanford, Harvard, and MIT. He received a MEPI Lincoln Incentive Grant and another U.S. Department of State scholarship to study English and business at the University of Tennessee for one month. Upon his return, Mohammed made several contributions to civil society as a part of the “Voices from Palestine Team.” He also won the Novell Gaza competition and was recognized by the Ministry of Education as the most talented student of the year. Mohammed is excited to begin his studies this fall at Washington & Lee University, where he is majoring in computer science. |
 | AbdAlrahman Najjar, a registered refugee from Gaza, attended UNRWA schools before he was accepted to Arafat Gifted Secondary School, where he excelled academically and was ranked as one of the top students. In addition to his academic achievements, AbdAlrahman was active in his school community and the IT club and was accepted into the two-year English Access Program. He is the first Palestinian to be accepted at Sewanee: The University of the South, where he plans to double major in computer science and neuroscience. |
 | Ismail Nashwan is a registered Palestinian refugee from Gaza. During his junior year of high school, he served as a citizen-ambassador in the United States through the YES program and is excited to be back in the United States this fall to begin the pre-med track at the University of Notre Dame, the first step toward his goals of studying medicine and becoming a neurosurgeon. |
 | A native of the West Bank city of Nablus, Abdelrahman Qamhia has been fond of technology, especially computers, since his childhood. He participated in both the Access and YES programs. During his exchange year in the United States, he excelled academically and received many certificates in recognition of his skills, including a certificate of academic excellence for achieving a 4.0 GPA. Abdelrahman is excited to start his studies this fall at Lehigh University, where he intends to major in computer engineering and minor in computer science. |
 | A registered refugee from Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, Mohammed Jamal Qudaih attended UNRWA schools until the ninth grade before switching to a public school in Khan Younis. His parents instilled the value of higher education in Mohammed and his nine siblings, all of whom have either completed or are pursuing a university degree despite their family’s limited financial resources. Mohammed credits the opportunities that he had at Amideast, starting with the two-year Access Program, for enabling him to realize his dream of pursuing his higher education in the United States. Mohammed is pleased to be studying computer science at Bridgewater College. |
 | Farah Sabbah, a registered refugee from the Gaza Strip, attended UNRWA schools for most of her life. An academic high-achiever, she supplemented her studies by participating in several clubs and in many workshops related to environmental issues. Selected to participate in the YES program, Farah spent a year of high school in the United States, taking advantage of the opportunity to experience the rewards of volunteering as a math tutor for students with special needs. Returning home with plans to continue her education in the United States, she is excited be at Oberlin College, planning to major in psychology to help people in her country and make a change in the world. |
 | Mayssa Salameh is a registered refugee who grew up in Ramallah, where she attended the public Al Bireh High School and completed the two-year English Access Program. Through her active participation in the EducationUSA Competitive College Club (CCC) and the Hope Fund, she was able to receive college preparation and resources that allowed her to be a competitive applicant to U.S. higher education institutions. Mayssa is preparing to study communication, technology, and culture at Bridgewater College. |
 | Aseel Sharawneh is a passionate young woman from Jerusalem who has been working diligently during the past four years to apply to universities. She participated in the English Access Program as well as Bridge Palestine, an initiative of Taawon (formerly the Palestinian Welfare Association) that helps outstanding Palestinian youth prepare applications for universities abroad. Alongside the Hope Fund program, these programs helped her strengthen her academic and language proficiencies. Aseel plans to double major in education and Middle Eastern studies with a minor in human rights at Barnard College. |
 | Elias Tannira graduated secondary school in Jordan but his family currently lives in Birzeit, Ramallah. As a student, he engaged in many extracurricular activities, from playing the cello in the school orchestra to participating in theater productions and founding an astronomy club that hosts seasonal observation nights to look at the sky through telescopes. In his free time, he writes short stories and poetry. Elias plans to double major in English literature and history at Carleton College, an important step towards his goals of becoming a professor of Middle Eastern studies and author of historical fiction about Palestine and the Middle East. |
INCOMING CLASS OF 2020
 | Abdul Rahman Abbas was born in the Nahr Al Bared Camp in Lebanon, where he lived a normal life until the war of 2007 caused his family to move to nearby Tripoli. Although no longer living in the camp, he considered it to be the epicenter of his life, where he spent his days with friends and relatives and at the UNRWA Nazareth Secondary School, where he graduated with top honors. Abdul Rahman is excited to study physics at Middlebury College, the first stage in an academic journey that he hopes will allow him to complete his graduate studies within 10 years and become a researcher in the sciences. “Getting this opportunity will help me to make my community better by applying my expected potential experiences to the daily life of the camp,” he says. |
 | Ahmed Alassar grew up in Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, where he is a registered refugee. He attended UNRWA schools until grade nine and then moved to the public school system for high school. As a result of his strong academic performance and other competitive selection factors, Ahmed was awarded a United World Colleges (UWC) scholarship and attended UWC-USA in New Mexico. Ahmed attributes this success to the knowledge, skills, and life-changing experiences he gained through his participation in the U.S. Department of State-funded, Amideast-administered English Access Microscholarship (Access) Program and EducationUSA Academy. Ahmed has had a passion for engineering and understanding how things work ever since he can remember and looks forward to exploring that passion as a pre-engineering major at Lake Forest College. |
 | Salim Alwazir is a determined and inquisitive young man from Gaza City. After completing an academic year of high school in the United States through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, he decided to return to the United States to pursue his undergraduate education in political science and economics. In addition to the strong academics offered by Gettysburg College, he is looking forward to continuing the intercultural experiences that he discovered while a YES student, which made him realize the importance of intellectual openness and problem-solving skills for our modern world. “I am very thankful to Amideast for its generous and kind support throughout the application process to reach my goal,” Salim says. “I am exhilarated about all that I will study and hope to take part in solving some of the challenges in my field.” |
 | Marwa Anchassi has lived her entire life in Beirut, Lebanon, where she attended the Khalid Bin Al Walid School/Al Horj. She comes from a family of five, with an older brother and sister who already completed their education in the United States on scholarships earned through the Hope Fund. Marwa enjoys many activities, including basketball, cooking, and volunteering with Foodblessed, an NGO that prepares food for the underprivileged. She is looking forward to attending Smith College, where she plans to pursue a major in economics or psychology, or both, as she would like to gain a better understanding of both the economy and the “maze” that is the human mind. |
 | Francis Habash, from Bethlehem in the West Bank, will be enrolled in Brigham Young University in fall 2020 and will major in applied mathematics. He was a participant of the U.S. government-funded English Access Microscholarship (Access) program at Amideast, where he studied English and American culture for two years. He feels that this will be the first step to achieving his goals. Francis has been always passionate about technology. His goal is not only to contribute to the emerging fields in computer science, but also improve and find solutions for the high-tech industry in his home country, particularly artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. Francis is also passionate about sports, particularly soccer and table tennis. Francis is looking forward to start this new experience at BYU. “I am excited to take on the challenge of adapting to a different culture and expanding my horizons. The Hope Fund and Amideast support me in all means to succeed." |
 | Mohammed Mansour is from Rafah City, Gaza, where he attended both UNRWA and public schools. While in high school, he participated in both the English Access Microscholarship (Access) and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs, taking full advantage of both opportunities to elevate his academic and language proficiencies. During the two programs, he also volunteered for different community service projects, developing his social awareness and leadership skills. Mohammed is studying environmental/environmental health engineering at Notre Dame University. “I am very grateful to have received so much support from Amideast,” he says. “I am especially happy to be in the Hope Fund program. It has enabled me to build upon my previous successes with competitive readiness to pursue a quality education in the United States.” |
 | Eman Muamar, a registered refugee from Rafah City in the Gaza Strip, has ranked at the top of her class throughout her academic career, first at UNRWA schools and then public schools. She has pursued her passion for science and mathematics through frequent participation in science and math competitions. She also excelled in the English Access Microscholarship (Access) program, which helped her to qualify to spend a year of high school in the United States through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. As a YES student, she continued to stand out, engaging in over 200 hours of community service in her host community and taking part in a civic education workshop in Washington, D.C. Eman is looking forward to her studies at Washington and Lee University. “Since my first days in the Access program, I knew I wanted to pursue my academic goals at the highest possible level,” she says. “I trusted Amideast’s support would always be there to help fulfill that ambition. Indeed, that faith has become a reality today.” |
 | Feras Natsheh, from Bethlehem in the West Bank, participated in two highly competitive U.S. government-funded programs, the two-year English Access Microscholarship (Access) Program at Amideast, during which he studied English and learned about American culture; and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, which enabled him to spend the 2018-19 academic year in Washington state. Physics and astronomy are not Feras’s only interests; he is also passionate about sports and studied martial arts for many years. Feras plans to major in physics, with a minor in astronomy, at Whitman College. Grateful for this opportunity, he says, “I believe that there is more to learn and explore in the world. [This] scholarship will help me get closer to my future goals. I could not have made it this far without the Hope Fund, Amideast, and EducationUSA. My dream has become a reality. Thank you!” |
 | Ghassan Saadeh, from Tulkarm, plans to major in chemical or mechanical engineering at Lehigh University, not surprisingly given his passion since childhood for figuring out how things work and how many small interactions between parts create a functioning machine. Ghassan, who hopes to eventually earn a master`s degree, is excited to return to the United States, where he spent an academic year on the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, representing his country as a scholar-ambassador in the United States. Grateful to the Hope Fund for helping him achieve his goal, he says, “The Hope Fund offered tremendous help in many ways, especially general guidance on test preparation and college choices, which helped me land the scholarship. Thank you!” |
 | Sarah Salah, a Palestinian refugee who has lived in Beirut her whole life, attended a Lebanese public school through sixth grade before having to switch to UNRWA schools when her public school ended and her parents couldn’t afford the alternative of a private school. Undaunted, she excelled in her studies while also serving as the president of her high school’s parliament for three consecutive years. Sarah plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Richmond. She would also like to study international relations, after discovering a passion for it during Model United Nations and deepening her understanding of the causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. "I want to proudly represent my country, Palestine, and change how people around the world perceive both Palestine and refugees in general." |
 | Salma Shaksher, from Nablus, plans to major in neuroscience at Brigham Young University. She is looking forward to getting the most out of this opportunity and returning to her home country with new ideas. Salma appreciates the guidance and counseling she received as a high school student, especially through the Hope Fund, which enabled her to define her college goals and apply successfully for admission and the scholarship support that made her dream of study in the United States possible. Salma says, “Applying to colleges was a hard process but the Hope Fund made it easier. I encourage every high school student who wants to study in the United States to apply to the Hope Fund program.” |
 | Osama Shihada grew up in Khan Younis City as a registered refugee and attended both UNRWA and public schools. Despite the pain of losing his mother at an early age, Osama consistently achieved academic excellence while further pursuing his passion for technology and computers. “For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by how computers work,” he says. “I had a knack for finding solutions to technical errors, and the more I practiced it, the more I developed my problem-solving and self-learning skills.” Osama has enhanced his computer skills by taking free online courses and starting his own blog. He also developed English language proficiency and leadership skills by participating in the English Access Microscholarship (Access) program. With this background, Osama is thrilled that he will be starting formal academic study of computer science at Bridgewater College. |
incoming class of 2019
 | Abdallah Abu Al Kheir comes from Gaza, where he is a registered refugee from Al Nosairat camp. After attending UNRWA primary and elementary schools, he completed his secondary education in a government school, where he excelled academically and showed strong leadership abilities. In addition to winning second place in a country-wide English language contest, he was selected for the U.S. Department of State-funded English Access Microscholarship (Access) Program. As an Access student, he also did community service and advocacy work to promote technology literacy amongst his peers. Now a freshman at Whitworth University, studying computer science and business, he asserts, "I would have never made it this far without Amideast's help and guidance. I know that a lot of people would want to be in my place now, and I'm grateful for it.” |
 | Rulan Abu Nahla is a talented young woman from Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Rulan attended UNRWA schools for nine years before moving to a government high school, where she maintained high grades and was always one of the top students in her class. In tenth grade, she participated in the Scientific Research Competition, with her team earning a high ranking for their research into obesity. Rulan was selected to participate in both the Access Program and a second competitive, U.S. Department of State-funded program, the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, which enabled her to spend a year of high school in Oregon. Rulan stood out as a YES student; she participated in Model United Nations and the National History Day competition and was one of 100 YES students selected to participate in a civics education workshop in Washington, D.C. Rulan, who is studying business administration at Stillman College, is grateful for these opportunities: “Despite the stress about traveling abroad, the expenses and the separation, thank you, Amideast, for letting me live my dream. Thank you for letting each scholarship be a new start with new opportunities to create our own paths.” |
 | Ismail Basel Ajjawi comes from Tyre, South Lebanon, where he attended Deir Yassin UNRWA School in Al-Buss camp. Ismail enjoys a wide variety of hobbies and interests, including reading mystery novels and the classics and playing soccer, his favorite sport. Passionate about science, he enjoys watching online tutorials about biology, chemistry, and the different innovations taking place in the scientific world. Ismail received some of the highest scores on Lebanon’s baccalaureate and Brevet exams, making him an academic star in his community. He was accepted to Harvard University with a full scholarship, where he intends to major in chemical and physical biology. He hopes his rigorous pre-med studies will lead to admission to medical school and his dream of becoming a doctor and medical researcher. Acknowledging Amideast’s role in his journey, Ismail notes, “With the tremendous help of Amideast, I now have the opportunity to learn more about chemical and physical biology and to unravel the scientific laws governing everyday life. Thank you, Amideast, for making such a dream attainable.” |
 | Rashed Alfarra is a registered refugee from the west-camp of Khan Younis, where he spent his childhood until his family moved to Khan Younis city in the Gaza Strip. Rashed attended governmental schools, where he excelled both academically and as a student leader. His strong academic performance led to his selection for the English Access Program. In addition to winning an award in a science competition and excelling in science, Rashed is a passionate student of languages. After learning the basics of French at school, he prepared himself for internationally recognized exams, receiving one of the highest scores in Gaza on the Diploma in French Language Studies. Rashed, who was accepted to Bridgewater College to study computer science, notes, “As a Palestinian student, I have always dreamed of joining one of the U.S. universities. Amideast has helped me to make this dream come true.” |
 | Ruslan Al-Jabari, a registered refugee, spent the early years of his life living in Beach Refugee Camp before moving to Gaza City. He attended governmental schools as there were no UNRWA schools in his neighborhood. Throughout high school, he was a top-ranked student, with a nearly perfect GPA. His commitment to academics earned him a spot in the highly competitive Access Program. In addition, he participated in many science competitions, served as the president of his high school’s physics club and co-president of the technology club, and was a fellow at Gaza Sky Geeks, Gaza’s largest entrepreneurship hub and tech business accelerator. He also used his science expertise to mount knowledge-sharing campaigns in order to advance STEM fields in Gaza. Ruslan currently finds himself enjoying the many opportunities available to him as a freshman at Stanford University, where he is majoring in computer science: “I always daydreamt about studying in the most supreme universities in the world; thanks to Amideast, the Hope Fund and EducationUSA, I don’t have to anymore. I get to live it.” |
 | Amir Amer, from Nablus in the West Bank, is majoring in finance at Lehigh University. He participated in the YES program, representing his country as a scholar‐ambassador and engaging in community service. Amir continued to volunteer after his return home, completing 60 hours of community service in 2018, while maintaining an outstanding academic record and actively participating in extracurricular activities, including Model United Nations (MUN), debate, and racial and ethnic diversity clubs. With the help of the EducationUSA Competitive College Club (CCC) at Amideast, he gained admissions and a scholarship to attend Lehigh University, where he intends to major in economics and business administration. “Never have I felt this gratified from a decision I’ve taken than the decision of applying to Amideast to help me set my future. Thank you to everyone who helped me.” |
 | Nader Almadbooh, a registered refugee from Bethlehem in the West Bank, is majoring in astrophysics at Swarthmore College. Nader graduated from Terra Sancta High School, where was on a scholarship. He was also selected for the highly competitive English Access Program. Then, determined to achieve his dream of pursuing his higher education in the United States, he joined the EducationUSA College Competitive Club (CCC) at Amideast. In addition to standing out as one of the brightest and top students in his school, Nader won the “Best School Debater” award at the national level in 2015 and was selected in 2016 to represent Palestine in the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) in Qatar. He was also a member of the Arab Educational Institute Debating Club and received a Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)–FMS scholarship to attend a summer leadership program at Yale University for high school students. Reflecting on his experience, Nader says, “In an ever-growing world, one needs more than smartness and skill to achieve his/her ambitions; tools and guidance are as important. Amideast’s role in my journey has been essential in helping make the choices and the decisions that put me where I am today.” |
 | Noor Assi, a registered refugee from the West Bank city of Ramallah, is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in computer science at Brigham Young University. Noor attended an UNRWA school in Ramallah through the ninth grade before moving to a public school. She is an alumna of the English Access Program and the EducationUSA College Competitive Club (CCC) at Amideast. Passionate about technology, she was also involved in several programs related to programming and IT, including An-Nayzak’s “Badir” program and TechGirls, a U.S. government-funded summer exchange program designed to empower and inspire young girls from the Middle East and North Africa to pursue careers in science and technology. These programs opened the doors to her participation in the Intel ISEF competition, for which she developed a device that enables blind and illiterate people to vote in elections without the help of others. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “Climbing the ladder of education takes time, effort and sacrifices. Amideast helped me and hundreds of students climb our ladders and reach places that at some point felt unreachable. Thanks, Amideast." |
 | Nadr Elhelu is a hard-working student and an involved member of his community in Gaza. His feelings of connection to his Palestinian roots are even stronger now that he is representing his country while pursuing his dream of studying computer science at Whitman College. Although he has always been passionate about learning, he finds his coursework at Whitman especially thought provoking. In his free time, Nadr also makes a point of participating in campus clubs, including Justice for Palestine, Man of Color, and Whitman’s archery club, in order to stay connected to his homeland and to help him integrate into his new community. Nadr notes that, "With the poor financial situation in Gaza, I have never dreamt to study in the United States, but with Amideast’s help the dream became a reality." |
 | Yousef Hanafi is a registered refugee from Al-Amal Camp in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. Yousef attended UNRWA schools from grades 1-9 and then transitioned to public/governmental schools from grades 10-12. Always a top student, his outstanding academic record helped him earn a place in the English Access Program. Yousef demonstrated a particular interest in IT and computer science. Through the IT club in his school in Gaza, he developed courses on programming, logic, and game design. At the College of Idaho, Yousef plans to major in computer science while seeking a broad liberal arts education through the university’s unique degree program that he will design. “It has always been my dream to study in a U.S college. I wouldn't have possibly achieved it without Amideast’s guidance and funding.” |
 | Huda Hashash, a registered refugee from Balata Refugee Camp near Nablus in the West Bank, graduated from Pioneer Baccalaureate School, where she was on a full scholarship all through high school. She joined the EducationUSA Competitive College Club (CCC) at Amideast in order to pursue her dream of studying in the United States. An academic achiever, she earned top grades and numerous awards, including certificates of achievement for distinguished character, outstanding behavior, and outstanding performance in mathematics. Her quest to study in the United States was further helped by a full scholarship to attend a summer exchange program at Lehigh University in 2017, during which she studied business and worked with TeenCentral, an online company, and a scholarship to participate in the EducationUSA Academy at CU Boulder-Colorado in 2018. She is looking forward to starting her program in neuroscience at Roanoke College in spring 2020. “I have always had the dream to be an independent, strong, young woman who would travel and study abroad, and my dream has become a reality. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me to reach my dream!” |
 | Nour Kanaan is a graduate of Nazareth UNRWA High School in Baddawi refugee camp in Tripoli, Lebanon. She never let being a refugee stand in the way of her dreams. Faced with limited opportunities to receive a quality education, she took advantage of the ones she found. Nour never thought she would have a chance to visit the United States, let alone study at her dream university, but her efforts and determination paid off when she was accepted into Duke University! Nour plans to pursue her passion for neuroscience. While not sure what her next step will be, she thinks that it will involve research, because there’s so much in neuroscience she would like to explore. “Duke is an inspiring place for academic and personal growth. I’m very thankful that I now belong there;” she observes. “Thank you, Amideast, for making this possible. Your guidance, moral and financial support have been incredible.” |
 | As a registered refugee from Gaza, Lana Sabbah went to UNRWA schools for her primary and middle grades, before moving to a public governmental school for high school. She was first introduced to Amideast as a participant in the English Access Program, in which she became known for her thoughtful comments in class discussions about language, culture, and history. She also participated in civic engagement campaigns, such as the Access Back to School campaign to provide underserved children with school supplies, and volunteered at Saja Center for Brain Paralysis in Gaza to help children who had been traumatized during the war of 2014. Lana hopes that her studies at Smith College will prepare her to be able to make a difference in her community, particularly for its children. "I believe that pursuing my future career in the States will put me on the right track to build a concrete experience and achieve my dream of helping children in Gaza. This dream wouldn’t be true without Amideast’s help and support.” |
 | Belal Shaheen is a registered refugee in the Gaza Strip. Although he spent his early childhood in Beach Camp, his family eventually moved out of the camp to live in Gaza City, where for most of his education, he attended governmental schools since there were no UNRWA schools in his neighborhood. During his school life, Belal consistently achieved high marks. His strong academic performance was matched by his leadership skills, which he used to promoted digital literacy, innovation, and entrepreneurship while a leader of his high school’s IT club. That included forming a team that developed Dislep, an application, featured at Gaza’s Startup Weekend, to assist people with disabilities. In addition, he participated in Al-Nayzak’s programs in Gaza and won his school’s nomination to represent the Ministry of Education schools at Expotech, Palestine's Technology Week. Belal is excited that the Hope Fund is enabling him to continue to develop his computer skills. The Hamilton College freshman in computer science says, “I have always dreamt of studying in the United States, but the financial situation in Gaza didn't help, until Amideast came and helped to make this dream come true.” |
 | Farah Suboh graduated with high grades from International Independent Schools in Amman, Jordan. A hard worker with clear goals, she loves outdoor activities such as volleyball and riding horses and being on stage, whether to perform in a play or to give a speech. She also enjoys meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures. She has engaged in a variety of community service activities, which she says has taught her to accept different opinions and to focus on finding common ground. She is attending Coe College, where she plans to major in biology. “I would love to thank the Amideast for making my dream possible of going to one the best colleges ever. I’m having the time of my life and the Amideast name is always going to bring me unforgettable memories!” |
 | A Palestinian refugee living in Lebanon, Saleem Solayman spent his early years in Dubai, where he attended a private school. After his father was fired from his job because he was a Palestinian, his family moved to Lebanon, where he completed his schooling at Al Galilee UNRWA High School in Burj Al-Barajneh camp in Beirut. Amideast, the Competitive College Club, and the Hope Fund helped Saleem discover opportunities for college in the United States and guided him through the difficult application and testing process. Saleem is thrilled to be studying applied physics at Bridgewater College, a major he dreamed of pursuing since he was a child: “With the help of Amideast, I got to learn a lot of new skills. They made my character stronger and taught me how to be a well-rounded student. It was totally worth it because of that moment [when] you realize all your hard work paid off.” |
incoming class of 2018
 | Farah Abdel Jawad is a first-year architectural engineering student at Drexel University. Originally from Jaffa, she grew up in Amman, Jordan, where she excelled at the Modern Montessori School. Outside the classroom, Farah is a talented athlete and has dedicated much of her time to community service projects. She is passionate about design and architecture and hopes to use her degree to improve the lives of people in Palestine and across the Middle East. |
 | Tawfiq Abuaita’s goal in life has long been to create new technologies that will aid Palestine’s development. Thus, it comes as no surprise that he is already looking ahead to graduate studies in medical engineering after he completes his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering at Western Michigan University. Before leaving for the United States, Tawfiq, who comes from Beit Sahour-Bethlehem, had a fear of adapting to American culture. Finding himself well into his first semester, he reports that “people are really kind and ready to answer any question I do have. I am now very happy to experience such a culture and new life in the U.S.” |
 | Noor Abu Rabie, an ambitious young woman from Nablus, is majoring in international studies at the University of Oregon, hoping to emerge with strong qualifications to serve in international organizations that aim to assist and empower children in third-world countries. She also hopes to start her own organization to improve, empower, and educate people in Palestine. “My experience so far as a student studying in a U.S university is incredibly rewarding,” she reports, adding that she is thrilled with the connections and friendships she is developing with other students. |
 | Malak Abusoud was born in Jerusalem, five days before the beginning of the second Intifada. Raised by a single mother, she studied in the British A-Level system at a French school where classes were taught in Arabic. She also launched a blog, “The Life of a Palestinian Jerusalemite,” to highlight the daily struggles of life as a Palestinian. Malak’s strong academics and intellectual drive earned her a scholarship to Georgetown University, where she plans to major in international political economy. |
 | Coming from Gaza, Yousef Al-Amassi considers himself lucky to have a family that always celebrated and supported his academic accomplishments and interests, allowing his intellectual curiosities to flourish, despite the challenges of daily life. Today, Yousef is pursuing his scholarly interests in physics and the natural sciences at Williams College in Massachusetts. The esteemed liberal arts institution is also well suited to enabling him to explore his many other interests and realize his goal of becoming a renowned scientist and well-informed global citizen. |
 | Noor Al-Shaer grew up in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, in a large family of 10, where she found ample support for her dream to study in the United States. During high school, Noor spent an exchange year in Louisiana on the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. Now she is excited to be in the United States again, beginning her studies at Washington and Lee University. She plans to major in biochemistry, in preparation for becoming a renowned scholar whose scientific discoveries will advance the quality of life for all people. |
 | Lora Assi, from Ramallah, is on the premed track at the University of Pennsylvania, preparing for medical school and eventually becoming a surgeon. She is excited to be meeting many students and participating in extracurricular activities, including the Penn Undergraduates for Refugee Empowerment. Looking ahead, Lora hopes to be able to provide surgeries at low cost that are affordable for underserved communities in Palestine and around the world. She also aims to improve mental healthcare across the Arab world. |
 | Dareen Awwad, from the West Bank village of Jefna, is pursuing a double major in physics and economics at Bridgewater College in Virginia. She is excited to have the opportunity to pursue her studies in the United States, which represents “a whole new world to me―it has opened my mind to new experiences and challenges.” Dareen views this period in her life as an important stepping stone to the future. Envisioning the possibility of starting a nonprofit organization to support Palestinian women who had to drop out of college, she asserts, “when we get educated, we actually can then help other people get educated. You’re basically helping generations, not only one generation.” |
 | Luna Bseiso, from Gaza, is thrilled to be embarking on an academic and personal journey that has taken her to Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. By majoring in political science, she wishes to emerge with strong qualifications that will enable her to serve in international organizations and help improve the humanitarian situation in war-torn communities, including her own. She thanks the Hope Fund for enabling her to be on track to fulfilling her goal. |
 | Berge Hagopian, from Jerusalem, is a student at Pomona College in Claremont, California. A talented classical guitarist, he has won numerous prizes. At Pomona, Berge is majoring in molecular biology in pursuit of his goal of becoming a forensic pathologist equipped with the tools to solve crimes. He is also excited about the opportunity to try new things; that includes a camping trip during freshman orientation at the California school, which he says took him out of his “comfort zone” in a good way. |
 | George Kassis, who comes from Beit Jala in the West Bank, is studying neuroscience at the University of Rochester. Driven by his dedication to improve medical services in Palestine and other countries, he endeavors to become a surgeon and researcher in the area of neurological diseases. As a student in the United States, George reports that he is discovering new cultures, ideas, and views, an experience he describes as inspiring. “I am starting to discover myself more and assure my belief that…it is indeed possible for anyone to make a difference in this world,” he says. |
 | Salma Khalaf grew up as a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon. Passionate about history and literature, she attended La Cité Culturelle School but her family’s limited finances precluded her from participating in many extracurricular activities. However, she took part in the Model United Nations and the Model Arab League, experiences that nurtured her interest in political science and economics. She also interned with EducationUSA in Lebanon, helping younger students prepare for the SAT and TOEFL exams. Now at Earlham College, she plans to double major in political science and physics, with a minor in French. |
 | An ambitious young woman and talented cellist from Gaza, Nicole Khouri currently attends Smith College in Massachusetts. Nicole, who spent the 2016-17 academic year as a YES exchange student in Wisconsin, is excited to be in the United States again to expand her global and intercultural awareness. Smith has a lot to offer to its thriving academic community, and Nicole is eager to take advantage of these exceptional opportunities to grow her knowledge, skills, talents, and connections. |
 | Akram Sbaih, from Kufr Rai’ in the West Bank, is passionate about computer science. Even before beginning his studies this fall at Stanford University, he travelled to Japan to participate in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI 2018) as part of the Palestinian team. He also participated in Bridge Palestine, an initiative of the Welfare Association-Taawon that helps outstanding Palestinian youth prepare to apply to universities abroad. Akram is eager to take advantage of the exceptional opportunities offered at Stanford, already joining the school’s junior marching band. As he told us, “Classes are overwhelming with all the readings and assignments but in a way that expands one’s curiosity to new extremes.” |
 | Khaled Shehada attends the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he plans to major in electrical engineering and computer science and minor in physics. Growing up in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, Khaled worked hard to excel in his community, learning programming from a young age and contributing to several community service projects and extracurricular activities. Grateful for the opportunity to study in the United States, he is committed to sharing and exchanging his people's stories with the diverse community at MIT. |
 | Diaa Sirsawi from Gaza is attending Seattle Pacific University, with plans to major in English. Driven by a fascination with languages and literature, he hopes to one day become a writer – a talent already in evidence when he won the Novell Gaza 2 award in January 2018 for his short stories Scars of Wars and My Cat. He is also passionate about music, having played the classical guitar for nine years, and looks forward to performing with his fellow students at Seattle Pacific. |
 | Saad Teeti is from Nablus, Palestine. He spent a year of high school in the the state of Washington through the YES program. Saad currently attends New York University Abu Dhabi, where plans to study computer science. |
