This past week, I was fortunate enough to be present for the launch of the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for Undergraduate Students (IYLEP) 2016 application. While we knew students were waiting for the chance to apply, the results were astonishing. Once the application was released, applications began to arrive almost immediately. Over 250 applications were started within the first 24 hours, and that number has steadily increased. Currently, nearly 3,000 applications have been created and several thousand more are expected by the application period’s closing on December 1, 2015. Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for Undergraduate Students is implemented by...
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Halloween and Día de los Muertos are two holidays that are commonly associated together, and most people assume they are interchangeable. However, contrary to popular belief, they are two separate holidays that have their own history, significance, and cultural background. Halloween has a long and extensive history, and its roots can be traced to a nearly 2000-year-old festival called Samhain (pronounced sah-win) to celebrate a new year. The Celts, a group of people that occupied lands stretching from the British Isles to Gallatia, celebrated Samhain on November 1st, a day that marks the end of summers and the harvest,...
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At the entrance of my alma mater, there is a sign that reads, “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve.” I passed by this sign every week on my way to school. It became a pivotal reminder as to the purpose behind my education – to become a more prepared global citizen and community leader. Since my time with Meridian International Center, I have continued to ponder on the sign and how it’s words apply to my experience with Meridian and its international programs. Last October, I decided to apply for the Washington D.C. Internship Program at my university....
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I am so incredibly lucky. I was born in America in a prosperous time to parents that not only valued my education, but had the time, resources, and capacity to be fully engaged. They sacrificed to send me to private schools, staying up until all my homework was done and explaining difficult concepts until they wanted to pull their hair out. But they did so I would have as many opportunities as possible. They poured their all into my education and in turn, gave me an impassioned outlook on my future. That is why I cannot get Deputy Secretary...
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