Coming from a multicultural background, I have always been interested in learning about various ethnicities, cultures, and ways of life. The Qisasna internship, from Amideast, provided this opportunity to expand my knowledge of students, just like me, from across the globe. Qisasna translates to “Our Stories,” in Arabic, the native language of the Yemeni students we worked with. This intercultural exchange was filled with eye-opening dialogues, as I learned more about my peers and their experiences. The unified goal of creating a podcast allowed for a creative outlet and a collaborative effort. I learned a variety of important aspects such as teamwork, communication, adaptability, and cultural awareness, from working with our Yemeni friends. These are skills that I will utilize throughout my academic and professional career as a Global Affairs student at George Mason University.
In courses such as Anthropology and Conflict Analysis and Resolution, I learned the importance of understanding human experiences and behaviors from several lenses, such as cultural and social dynamics. I applied these insights during the production of our podcast, which compared and contrasted the technology gaps in and between America and Yemen. Details, such as economic and political disparities that affect the daily lives of American and Yemeni students in the context of having adequate accessibility to technology, are important. Paying attention to these concepts shapes the future political actions and the cultural and social norms within both of these countries.
Looking ahead, I am excited to bring back new perspectives and experiences to my studies and future careers in humanitarian aid and policymaking initiatives. The most important takeaway for me is to be willing to listen and understand how certain situations and issues impact people’s multidimensional experiences. Being able to adhere to a compassionate, yet objective stance, in the future of my Global Affairs career, is what I have learned to be most effective in promoting awareness, expanding my knowledge, and bridging the gap between diverse communities as a global citizen.