As a Palestinian refugee growing up in Amman, Jordan, Mohammad Sarhan came from humble means. Despite his family’s limited resources, he made his education a top priority and, in 2008, was awarded a scholarship to the King’s Academy in Jordan. He then earned a full scholarship to attend the College of Wooster in Ohio, where he recently completed his degree in international relations with a minor in economics. Mohammad’s academic work has helped him to develop the knowledge and tools necessary to bring about positive change in his community and wider Palestinian society. For his senior thesis project—which received the "honors" distinction—he investigated the relationship between refugee economic rights and conflict spillovers. He also became an international student ambassador, served as vice president of the college’s Model United Nations team, and completed several internships, including as a fellow at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) in Washington, DC. Mohammad hopes to acquire a Ph.D. in international relations. When Ghada Tafesh joined the Access Program in 2010, little did she imagine how it would change her life. The two-year program helped her qualify for the YES Program to spend a year of high school in Maryland. She then received a full scholarship to attend Wilson College, where she double-majored in biology and English. She also participated in the highly selective NeXXt Scholars Program for outstanding young women in STEM and won the Robert Shannon McElwain Prize, awarded each year to Wilson’s top mathematics student. Ghada, who graduated magna cum laude this spring and will soon start a master’s degree in English literature, is thankful for the educational opportunities she has had along the way: “I learned that the sky is the limit and as long as you believe in yourself, nothing is impossible. I want to make a difference by inspiring young Palestinians and encouraging them to develop the leadership skills I have gained as a Wilson student.” “The Hope Fund was a turning point in my life,” says Nisreen Zaqout, a refugee from Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip. She embraced the opportunity provided by the Hope Fund and graduated from Illinois College with a bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, and gender and women’s studies. Coming from a big family, it is perhaps no surprise that Nisreen also became interested in debate, honing her skills as a member of Illinois College’s official debate team. She also furthered her interest in gender studies through an internship last summer with Vital Voices Global Partnership, a Washington, DC-based NGO that works to train and develop emerging women leaders across the world. Having found great success in her undergraduate studies, Nisreen plans to go to graduate school with an eye toward a career focusing on women’s empowerment in the Middle East.
KEEP UP WITH HOPE FUND NEWS! Send us your email address via HopeFund@ amideast.org. We value your support and want to stay in touch!
Dear Friend, In this issue, we report great news: A record 15 Hope Fund scholars graduated in academic year 2015–16 from leading U.S. colleges and universities. Each of these young people deserves their own article. From underserved communities and often enduring occupation, discrimination, and repeated traumas, they overcame all of these challenges to earn degrees in the United States, while studying in a non-native language and foreign culture. To them, all praise and credit. AMIDEAST is humbled and honored to have played a role in assisting them—some as early as when they were in middle school—to begin realizing their great potential. Many of the 15 have received graduate fellowships that will permit them to earn advanced degrees in their fields of specialization. Others are taking advantage of a provision of their visas that allows them to work for a year in the United States in an area related to their field of study. All eventually want to make a difference in their own societies and to help the Palestinian people achieve their just rights. Those of you who donated to the Hope Fund or to related causes deserve our thanks and gratitude for helping to make it possible for AMIDEAST to help them. Together we can continue to do great things to ensure that the Palestinians remain known for their passion for education and excellence. Please visit our website to see how you can contribute to the Hope Fund to ensure the sustainability of this life-changing program. Theodore H. Kattouf President & CEO
AMIDEAST 2025 M St. NW, Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20036-3363
DONATE TO THE HOPE FUND AND HELP KEEP THE HOPE FUND MISSION ALIVE! • BY MAIL to AMIDEAST Contributions, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-4505 • ONLINE at www.amideast.org/donate/donate-amideast
Congratulating This Year’s Graduates! We’re pleased to congratulate this year’s graduating seniors. They are an impressive group, as their stories will tell you. For Mohamed Abo Sakr, education represented a pathway out of the Palestinian refugee camp in Tripoli, Lebanon, where he grew up. With the help of the Hope Fund, he received a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. His outstanding academics opened doors to research opportunities, a summer internship in South Korea, and the scholarship now covering his studies for his master’s degree at UPenn. He was also was on one of the winning teams in last year’s Penn YPrize competition. Mohammed envisions giving back to his community as a mentor, a reflection of his gratitude and appreciation for the life-changing opportunity he has received. “I honestly cannot conceptualize how my life would be without the opportunity the Hope Fund has given me,” he said. Mohammad Abudayyeh has achieved significant and well-deserved success, taking full advantage of opportunities available through AMIDEAST. After excelling in the two-year English Access Microscholarship (Access) Program and spending a year of high school in the United States on the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, Mohammad received a full scholarship from Washington and Lee University in Virginia through the Hope Fund. He graduated this May with a degree in chemical engineering. Earlier this year the Physics and Engineering Department selected him for the 2016 H. Thomas Williams Jr. Undergraduate Research Scholarship, an annual award that recognizes excellence in faculty-directed research. After graduating from high school, Mahmoud Abu Eid was concerned about a future that offered little opportunity for a job or higher education for youth in the refugee camp in Zarqa, Jordan, where he grew up. Not ready to give up, he turned to where most young people look for information— the Internet—and discovered the Hope Fund. Fast forward to 2016, and Mahmoud’s dream has come true: this spring he graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a triple major in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry and molecular biology. While at Gustavus, he engaged in research and was honored to present his study of cleft lip and palate care in the Middle East at a research symposium. “Thank you to the Hope Fund and for everyone who made a dream of mine come true,” he said. “The road is long and full of obstacles but I chose to fight and push through because I want to show everyone that I deserved this opportunity and worked hard for it.” When Ibrahim AbuNada arrived at Bridgewater College, he planned to study medicine. That changed, however, as he discovered his true passion—chemistry. Taking advantage of a college environment that encourages students to work one-on-one with their professors, he excelled in his new program and graduated with a degree in chemistry in December 2015. In addition to his academic success, he thrived in a diverse campus environment that allowed him to explore new experiences and broaden his perspective on life. This fall Ibrahim will begin a Ph.D. program in inorganic chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ibrahim recognizes that the Hope Fund helped open the doors to new opportunities, and he is prepared to step through those doors to achieve his goals. “I will utilize everything I have towards changing my fate for the better,” he said, “because that is what the Hope Fund has done for me.” Hadil Ayoub made the most of her opportunities during high school in Nablus by advancing through the Access, YES, and Abraham Lincoln Incentive Grant programs, before being matched with a full scholarship to Barnard College. At Barnard, the environmental science major participated in the U.S. Department of State’s NeXXt Scholars Program and pursued her research interest in the impact of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) on groundwater quality. She was also active in campus groups focused on social justice and appreciated the thriving arts scene in New York City. Her vision for her future includes furthering her education. “I would like to work and explore the different directions that I could take with a major as diverse in its applications as environmental science,” she said. “I hope that this experience would help prepare me for the next step, which is going to grad school for a Ph.D.”
West Bank native Shorouk Badir is developing herself into a leader and a role model in the STEM field. As a chemistry major at Bryn Mawr College, Shorouk conducted research into the total synthesis of the inhibitor molecules of an enzyme with significant capabilities in immunotherapy treatments. She was a leader on campus and founded the Voices for Palestine Club, where she hosted many events to raise awareness about Palestinian culture. But it was her experience as a Peer Lead Instructor (PLI), tutoring students in chemistry for two years, that led her to discover her passion for teaching. She will now pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Through her profession, she hopes to inspire more people—especially women—to study chemistry and other STEM-related fields. Mahmoud El Hazzouri graduated from Roanoke College with degrees in math and physics. He was very active on campus, participating in the physics and math clubs and the honor societies for both fields, as well as several other student groups focused on diversity and multiculturalism. Mahmoud is thankful to the Hope Fund for opening the doors to his education in the United States—an opportunity that allowed him to grow and create a bright future for himself. He stressed that, for many Palestinians, that is exactly what they need—opportunity. “Opportunities are the key to development,” he said, adding, “I truly find it inspiring to promote the idea that nothing is impossible, and that you can get wherever you want in life as long as you work hard and believe in yourself.” Shurouq Hijazi graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in electrical and computer engineering and a minor in business. At UR, she flourished academically, coauthoring a book chapter, publishing in two journals, and presenting one of her research projects at a conference. She also received the faculty award from UR’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, participated in several student organizations including the Student Association for the Development of Arab Cultural Awareness (SADACA), and studied in Spain for a semester. “The eye-opening college experience I had has definitely shaped the person I am today. The lessons I learned at UR will definitely have a lasting effect on my professional and personal career for years to come,” says Shurouq, who will soon begin her career as a technology consultant at Ernst & Young in New York City. Kamal Kaddoura graduated from Bridgewater College with a degree in physics and a minor in mathematics. He values the diverse opportunities encountered during his college experience—everything from meeting new friends and playing new sports to attending his first physics conference, and even presenting his honors project on several occasions. Kamal will begin a Ph.D. program in mechanical engineering next fall. Kamal stresses the need to use his education, skills, and experiences to benefit his community: “I am proud to say that I was a Hope Fund student. I would like to share my story and experience to encourage students to pursue a higher quality education. I would like to be able to use my degree to benefit the general community in Lebanon as well by making it a better place.” Tala AlRaheb graduated from St. Olaf College, in Minnesota, with degrees in both psychology and religion. She was, in fact, able to explore the connections between these two fields through a research project into the psychology of faith development. Tala was active on campus as a member of the Theology Club and the Interfaith Coalition and by serving as the president of Oles for Justice in Palestine and as an admissions fellow during her senior year. She also completed an internship in psychological counseling in her hometown of Bethlehem. Tala will be attending Emory University to pursue a master’s degree in theological studies in the Candler School of Theology and plans to become a professor. With her knowledge and skills, Tala would like to improve the education system in Palestine. Iyyad Rayyan makes a habit of jumping at opportunities and maximizing his potential. He recently graduated from Grand View University with a triple major in accounting, finance, and information systems management. He also managed to serve as chief financial officer for the student body and president of the Business Club, receive numerous awards, and complete seven different internships, including one with the World Food Prize Foundation — an experience that opened his eyes to the extent of global poverty and malnutrition. “Sometimes we get so hung up in our own lives,” he laments, “and forget about the suffering that millions of people around the world have to face on a daily basis.” After graduation, Iyyad will remain in Iowa as an associate with PricewaterhouseCooper, a prestigious multinational firm specializing in financial and professional services.
Congratulating This Year’s Graduates! We’re pleased to congratulate this year’s graduating seniors. They are an impressive group, as their stories will tell you. For Mohamed Abo Sakr, education represented a pathway out of the Palestinian refugee camp in Tripoli, Lebanon, where he grew up. With the help of the Hope Fund, he received a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. His outstanding academics opened doors to research opportunities, a summer internship in South Korea, and the scholarship now covering his studies for his master’s degree at UPenn. He was also was on one of the winning teams in last year’s Penn YPrize competition. Mohammed envisions giving back to his community as a mentor, a reflection of his gratitude and appreciation for the life-changing opportunity he has received. “I honestly cannot conceptualize how my life would be without the opportunity the Hope Fund has given me,” he said. Mohammad Abudayyeh has achieved significant and well-deserved success, taking full advantage of opportunities available through AMIDEAST. After excelling in the two-year English Access Microscholarship (Access) Program and spending a year of high school in the United States on the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, Mohammad received a full scholarship from Washington and Lee University in Virginia through the Hope Fund. He graduated this May with a degree in chemical engineering. Earlier this year the Physics and Engineering Department selected him for the 2016 H. Thomas Williams Jr. Undergraduate Research Scholarship, an annual award that recognizes excellence in faculty-directed research. After graduating from high school, Mahmoud Abu Eid was concerned about a future that offered little opportunity for a job or higher education for youth in the refugee camp in Zarqa, Jordan, where he grew up. Not ready to give up, he turned to where most young people look for information— the Internet—and discovered the Hope Fund. Fast forward to 2016, and Mahmoud’s dream has come true: this spring he graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a triple major in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry and molecular biology. While at Gustavus, he engaged in research and was honored to present his study of cleft lip and palate care in the Middle East at a research symposium. “Thank you to the Hope Fund and for everyone who made a dream of mine come true,” he said. “The road is long and full of obstacles but I chose to fight and push through because I want to show everyone that I deserved this opportunity and worked hard for it.” When Ibrahim AbuNada arrived at Bridgewater College, he planned to study medicine. That changed, however, as he discovered his true passion—chemistry. Taking advantage of a college environment that encourages students to work one-on-one with their professors, he excelled in his new program and graduated with a degree in chemistry in December 2015. In addition to his academic success, he thrived in a diverse campus environment that allowed him to explore new experiences and broaden his perspective on life. This fall Ibrahim will begin a Ph.D. program in inorganic chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ibrahim recognizes that the Hope Fund helped open the doors to new opportunities, and he is prepared to step through those doors to achieve his goals. “I will utilize everything I have towards changing my fate for the better,” he said, “because that is what the Hope Fund has done for me.” Hadil Ayoub made the most of her opportunities during high school in Nablus by advancing through the Access, YES, and Abraham Lincoln Incentive Grant programs, before being matched with a full scholarship to Barnard College. At Barnard, the environmental science major participated in the U.S. Department of State’s NeXXt Scholars Program and pursued her research interest in the impact of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) on groundwater quality. She was also active in campus groups focused on social justice and appreciated the thriving arts scene in New York City. Her vision for her future includes furthering her education. “I would like to work and explore the different directions that I could take with a major as diverse in its applications as environmental science,” she said. “I hope that this experience would help prepare me for the next step, which is going to grad school for a Ph.D.”
West Bank native Shorouk Badir is developing herself into a leader and a role model in the STEM field. As a chemistry major at Bryn Mawr College, Shorouk conducted research into the total synthesis of the inhibitor molecules of an enzyme with significant capabilities in immunotherapy treatments. She was a leader on campus and founded the Voices for Palestine Club, where she hosted many events to raise awareness about Palestinian culture. But it was her experience as a Peer Lead Instructor (PLI), tutoring students in chemistry for two years, that led her to discover her passion for teaching. She will now pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Through her profession, she hopes to inspire more people—especially women—to study chemistry and other STEM-related fields. Mahmoud El Hazzouri graduated from Roanoke College with degrees in math and physics. He was very active on campus, participating in the physics and math clubs and the honor societies for both fields, as well as several other student groups focused on diversity and multiculturalism. Mahmoud is thankful to the Hope Fund for opening the doors to his education in the United States—an opportunity that allowed him to grow and create a bright future for himself. He stressed that, for many Palestinians, that is exactly what they need—opportunity. “Opportunities are the key to development,” he said, adding, “I truly find it inspiring to promote the idea that nothing is impossible, and that you can get wherever you want in life as long as you work hard and believe in yourself.” Shurouq Hijazi graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in electrical and computer engineering and a minor in business. At UR, she flourished academically, coauthoring a book chapter, publishing in two journals, and presenting one of her research projects at a conference. She also received the faculty award from UR’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, participated in several student organizations including the Student Association for the Development of Arab Cultural Awareness (SADACA), and studied in Spain for a semester. “The eye-opening college experience I had has definitely shaped the person I am today. The lessons I learned at UR will definitely have a lasting effect on my professional and personal career for years to come,” says Shurouq, who will soon begin her career as a technology consultant at Ernst & Young in New York City. Kamal Kaddoura graduated from Bridgewater College with a degree in physics and a minor in mathematics. He values the diverse opportunities encountered during his college experience—everything from meeting new friends and playing new sports to attending his first physics conference, and even presenting his honors project on several occasions. Kamal will begin a Ph.D. program in mechanical engineering next fall. Kamal stresses the need to use his education, skills, and experiences to benefit his community: “I am proud to say that I was a Hope Fund student. I would like to share my story and experience to encourage students to pursue a higher quality education. I would like to be able to use my degree to benefit the general community in Lebanon as well by making it a better place.” Tala AlRaheb graduated from St. Olaf College, in Minnesota, with degrees in both psychology and religion. She was, in fact, able to explore the connections between these two fields through a research project into the psychology of faith development. Tala was active on campus as a member of the Theology Club and the Interfaith Coalition and by serving as the president of Oles for Justice in Palestine and as an admissions fellow during her senior year. She also completed an internship in psychological counseling in her hometown of Bethlehem. Tala will be attending Emory University to pursue a master’s degree in theological studies in the Candler School of Theology and plans to become a professor. With her knowledge and skills, Tala would like to improve the education system in Palestine. Iyyad Rayyan makes a habit of jumping at opportunities and maximizing his potential. He recently graduated from Grand View University with a triple major in accounting, finance, and information systems management. He also managed to serve as chief financial officer for the student body and president of the Business Club, receive numerous awards, and complete seven different internships, including one with the World Food Prize Foundation — an experience that opened his eyes to the extent of global poverty and malnutrition. “Sometimes we get so hung up in our own lives,” he laments, “and forget about the suffering that millions of people around the world have to face on a daily basis.” After graduation, Iyyad will remain in Iowa as an associate with PricewaterhouseCooper, a prestigious multinational firm specializing in financial and professional services.
As a Palestinian refugee growing up in Amman, Jordan, Mohammad Sarhan came from humble means. Despite his family’s limited resources, he made his education a top priority and, in 2008, was awarded a scholarship to the King’s Academy in Jordan. He then earned a full scholarship to attend the College of Wooster in Ohio, where he recently completed his degree in international relations with a minor in economics. Mohammad’s academic work has helped him to develop the knowledge and tools necessary to bring about positive change in his community and wider Palestinian society. For his senior thesis project—which received the "honors" distinction—he investigated the relationship between refugee economic rights and conflict spillovers. He also became an international student ambassador, served as vice president of the college’s Model United Nations team, and completed several internships, including as a fellow at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) in Washington, DC. Mohammad hopes to acquire a Ph.D. in international relations. When Ghada Tafesh joined the Access Program in 2010, little did she imagine how it would change her life. The two-year program helped her qualify for the YES Program to spend a year of high school in Maryland. She then received a full scholarship to attend Wilson College, where she double-majored in biology and English. She also participated in the highly selective NeXXt Scholars Program for outstanding young women in STEM and won the Robert Shannon McElwain Prize, awarded each year to Wilson’s top mathematics student. Ghada, who graduated magna cum laude this spring and will soon start a master’s degree in English literature, is thankful for the educational opportunities she has had along the way: “I learned that the sky is the limit and as long as you believe in yourself, nothing is impossible. I want to make a difference by inspiring young Palestinians and encouraging them to develop the leadership skills I have gained as a Wilson student.” “The Hope Fund was a turning point in my life,” says Nisreen Zaqout, a refugee from Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip. She embraced the opportunity provided by the Hope Fund and graduated from Illinois College with a bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, and gender and women’s studies. Coming from a big family, it is perhaps no surprise that Nisreen also became interested in debate, honing her skills as a member of Illinois College’s official debate team. She also furthered her interest in gender studies through an internship last summer with Vital Voices Global Partnership, a Washington, DC-based NGO that works to train and develop emerging women leaders across the world. Having found great success in her undergraduate studies, Nisreen plans to go to graduate school with an eye toward a career focusing on women’s empowerment in the Middle East.
KEEP UP WITH HOPE FUND NEWS! Send us your email address via HopeFund@ amideast.org. We value your support and want to stay in touch!
Dear Friend, In this issue, we report great news: A record 15 Hope Fund scholars graduated in academic year 2015–16 from leading U.S. colleges and universities. Each of these young people deserves their own article. From underserved communities and often enduring occupation, discrimination, and repeated traumas, they overcame all of these challenges to earn degrees in the United States, while studying in a non-native language and foreign culture. To them, all praise and credit. AMIDEAST is humbled and honored to have played a role in assisting them—some as early as when they were in middle school—to begin realizing their great potential. Many of the 15 have received graduate fellowships that will permit them to earn advanced degrees in their fields of specialization. Others are taking advantage of a provision of their visas that allows them to work for a year in the United States in an area related to their field of study. All eventually want to make a difference in their own societies and to help the Palestinian people achieve their just rights. Those of you who donated to the Hope Fund or to related causes deserve our thanks and gratitude for helping to make it possible for AMIDEAST to help them. Together we can continue to do great things to ensure that the Palestinians remain known for their passion for education and excellence. Please visit our website to see how you can contribute to the Hope Fund to ensure the sustainability of this life-changing program. Theodore H. Kattouf President & CEO
AMIDEAST 2025 M St. NW, Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20036-3363
DONATE TO THE HOPE FUND AND HELP KEEP THE HOPE FUND MISSION ALIVE! • BY MAIL to AMIDEAST Contributions, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-4505 • ONLINE at www.amideast.org/donate/donate-amideast