33 Townshend Hall From Ohio to Afghanistan 2 La n American Studies FLAS Fellowship 7 Faculty Publica ons 8 1885 Neil Avenue A Journey of a Thousand Miles 9 Middle East Studies FLAS Fellowship 10 Teaching in Haifa, Israel 12 Columbus, OH 43210-1222 USA Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship to Senegal 14 Slavic & East European FLAS Fellowship 16 (614) 292-9657 internationalstudies.osu.edu Na onal Italian American Founda on 17 Living Jerusalem 18 Alumni Highlights 20
small world magazine - FROM OHIO TO AFGHANISTAN small world magazine - FROM OHIO TO AFGHANISTAN
being able to sustain more construc‐ were together, as hardware stores are One night, on the way to dinner at the FROM OHIO TO AFGHANISTAN on. Now, if you look around at Kabul, near one another. So, I found myself Kabul Health Club, we passed the Meredith Leal there are a plethora of buildings over following my friends and our Afghan house of General Rashid Dostum. Last two stories tall‐some even with 12 sto‐ counterparts into one appliance store semester I took a class on the rise of ries! We would turn down streets and a er another to look for the ideal re‐ the Taliban and for a few weeks we his wife and my best friend, Kim*, frigerator. Once again, the men talked focused on the men in Afghanistan would say excitedly, ¨Oh! They paved price, quality, warran es and I accept‐ who opposed the Soviets, who became this road!¨ Having not been back to ed not being in the middle of every‐ warlords and who have led the differ‐ Afghanistan for several years, she was thing‐a reality I do not typically live in. ent ethnici es in Afghanistan over the seeing some things new for the first The walk to the car a er our search last 30 years. Seeing the house of a me. Their stories helped me connect was extremely crowded. Every man in man I have only read about in books or with the city. Having them with me Kabul seemed to be on Electric Street on the news was one of those mo‐ was incredibly special. with us. I walked arm in arm with Kim, ments when I thought to myself, naviga ng our way through the ¨What the heck, is this real life?! Mind‐ I remember my first weekend there throngs of men, boys and carts on blown.” quite clearly. Saturday was a normal dusty sidewalks, in the heat of Kabul at
The Citadel of Herat was built in 330 BC. by Alexander the Great. It has been used for over 2,000 years, and now houses the Na‐ onal Museum of Herat.
workday for Afghans. My friends, two midday. A couple of days later, Ken took me to of their Afghan friends and I ran er‐ Lake Qargha, with our Afghan driver rands in central Kabul. To the bank we During the drive home I sat back and and friend. It’s a man‐made lake a bit went. I could feel everyone’s eyes on watched from under my hijab and be‐ north‐west of the city. On our drive, me, despite my headscarf, long pants hind my sunglasses as we drove from the guys pointed out that we were Meredith Leal is pictured standing on Bibi Mahru Hill overlooking TV Hill in Kabul, Afghanistan. “The traffic in Kabul can be quite and long sleeved shirt. This was one of north Kabul to the other side of TV Hill passing a former Al‐Qaeda training impressive. There is no such thing as a proper lane; crossing a street is a feat in and of itself, as there are no lights or stop signs. “ my first experiences not being able to to south Kabul. Women in blue burqas, camp. The land is now used by the Af‐ hold eye contact with men, and being boys on bikes, girls holding hands and ghan military. Another moment of Meredith Leal is a senior majoring in it¨ be er now. So, what drew me to were in my hands. On May 31, my ad‐ sidelined from being in the thick of men piled into cars and ¨buses,¨ and having absolutely nothing to say. Books Middle East Studies. She visited Af‐ Afghanistan in the first place? It’s not venture to Central Asia began. things. While bank accounts were onto motorbikes were close by. At and news stories were running through ghanistan over the summer. Here is just that it’s a world away and foreign a empted to be opened, I stood quiet‐ mes I could have reached my arm out my head as I tried to process the reality her story. to me in more ways than I can count. I quickly learned a li le bit of the lay‐ ly and drank it all in. One of the Afghan of the car and into the one next to me of what I was seeing‐what had been It’s also because very few other people out of Kabul on our way home from guys with us quizzed me on my Dari to tap someone’s shoulder. I never there and who had been there. I was “Write a story about my trip to Afghan‐ want to go. Very few other people the airport. The city is split in half by a reading skills‐which I impressed him would have done that, but I could driving on a road that Osama bin Laden istan, they told me. It would be easy, care to know about the country, its mountain. Embassies, ISAF HQ, NATO with, I might add! But, I didn’t under‐ have, we were that close. The traffic in had driven on, probably mul ple mes. they told me. To be honest, capturing history and its people. Several years HQ, Afghan government buildings and stand much unless someone translated Kabul can be quite impressive. There is I just stared out of the window trying one of the most life‐changing three ago I read a book that changed my life. the airport are all located in the north‐ for me. Kim apologized a er our two no such thing as a proper lane; crossing to comprehend what I was seeing. weeks of my 25 years with words has I have been cap vated by Afghanistan ern region. Parliament is on the south and a half hour visit because she felt a street is a feat in and of itself, as When we arrived at the lake we drove been anything but easy. The sights, the ever since, and always sadly had to say side with many neighborhoods, and like I must have been bored. I was there are no lights or stop signs. Basi‐ around it, past the hotel/restaurant sounds, the smells of Kabul and Herat “no” when people asked if I had been several NGOs. Driving the streets of quick to reassure her that “mundane cally, you just go whenever it seems that had been a acked by the Taliban are ingrained in me now. My perspec‐ over there. That all began to change downtown Kabul my friend, Ken*, who errands” were s ll exci ng to me, hav‐ like you have me, and you just as‐ a year earlier, past boys selling cold ves on things are more developed, this past February. Friends moved has been living in country for over 10 ing never a empted anything in Kabul sume no one will hit you. It seemed treats and lunch, as well as men who and my heart is more sensi ve to the back to Kabul, and we began to discuss years, would give li le history lessons. before! Later, we did something I like a jumbled mess, but somehow it were just staring at the two westerners struggles and the victories of the Af‐ a visit. Finally, ckets were purchased, Before 2002 there were very few build‐ wouldn’t be excited for typically: re‐ made enough sense to the drivers. in the car. When my friend saw Lake ghan people. I see pictures and I read packing lists were wri en, and details ings that were over two stories tall, he frigerator shopping! I learned that Experiencing Kabul traffic never ceased Qargha the first me, years ago, it was stories from countries all over the Mid‐ on how to navigate the Afghan consu‐ men oned once. Lack of structural stores are grouped by the type(s) of to amaze me. puddles, he said. Today it is at least dle East‐all over the world‐and I ¨get late in Dubai and the Kabul airport security, and bombs kept them from good(s) they sell. Appliance stores five stories deep. On one end there is
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their futures. rape brought to my mind a friend from being given such special a en on, you was the a ack by the Taliban on the college who also experienced this cannot help but be overwhelmed. Giv‐ military sec on of Kabul’s interna onal There are so many great things about abuse. My heart was being torn in so ing my me to do something I always airport. Less than a week a er arriv‐ Afghanistan, but there are also many many direc ons as I listened to her, do might not seem like a lot, but for ing and I was reading news stories and hard things, as well. There were sever‐ and watched her struggle to share her them, it was an enormous blessing. looking at pictures on the BBC of what al moments of wondering how people aching heart with me. I was trying to The smiles on their faces I will not soon was happening only 40 minutes away live in this reality, and do I really want hold back my tears, but I could not forget. and on the other side of the mountain to take on that responsibility. One of stop them from spilling over. Desiring from me. That might not necessarily those moments came my last week in nothing more than to hug her, I asked I could share how safe and taken care sound like much, but it was. If I had not Kabul. I went with a translator to a the translator if I was allowed; permis‐ of I felt there; I could try to explain been reading news reports, I would women’s shelter and heard three sion was granted. We both stood up how my life has changed forever be‐ have had no idea that anything was women share about their lives. Lives I and the girl wrapped her arms around cause of my me there and what I saw happening. The same thing happened cannot even imagine. They were some me so ghtly, and I hugged her back. and experienced. Maybe this will with the suicide bomber at the Su‐ of the most emo onally difficult hours We stood and cried together for sever‐ suffice; the family of one of our Afghan preme Court building in Kabul. I was of my me there. ¨Beauty in the midst al minutes. I asked the translator to tell friends invited us to lunch one day. My taking a nap when the a ack hap‐ of pain,¨ is a phrase that comes to her that she is beau ful, that she is friends have known this family for pened. About thirty minutes later I was mind when I remember that morning. I important, that she is extremely valua‐ years and have a special bond with preparing to leave to meet with some would not trade it for anything. ble. Through the translator, she them. I was so excited to spend the friends of Kim’s. We called a taxi, I got thanked me for listening to her and day ge ng to know them. Once we in and told them my des na on and One of the stories I heard was from a crying with her. She said being able to arrived, we had all‐star treatment. the driver’s response was, ¨Are you girl, several years younger than me, share her story with someone who Afghans are incredibly hospitable and sure you want to go there? There was who was raped by a man who said he showed compassion towards her made generous. The food was absolutely an explosion there just recently.¨ Well, loved her, and whose family no longer it easier for her to talk with me. My delicious, and there was so much I had never been asked a ques on like accepts her. She talked about feeling me with this precious girl is impossi‐ laughter. This family did not have a that. I had never been anywhere intense shame from what happened, ble to forget. Since returning home I separate room for the men and a sepa‐ where my comings and goings had as if it had been her fault. She con n‐ have emailed with the translator and rate room for women while we were been hindered by explosions. I paid the ues to deal with the scars of being asked about my sweet friend. She said there. Instead, they included everyone driver for his me, and went back in‐ saved from death just to be sent to the girl asks about me all the me; she in one room. The adult sons took turns side to talk to Kim and Ken. Several prison, with that man, by her family as is doing well and taking classes. Listen‐ showing off tricks, and I taught one of mes throughout the rest of my me punishment. In order to lessen their ing to the stories she and the other the girls how to make paper snow‐ in Kabul we drove past the Supreme sentence, they married. Yet, when he women shared that day was incredibly flakes. I was included as one of their Court building, or at least within a cou‐ was released, he returned to a wife heartbreaking. But, if I had to choose own. The father, who reminded me a ple of blocks. I remember si ng in the and children she did not know existed. to do it all over again I would always li le of Rafiki from the Lion King, told office at Kim’s house and one of their Meredith sits on an old rusty an ‐aircra gun, le over from the Soviet / choose to hear about their lives. Their me I was like another daughter and I Afghan friends walking in and showing Afghan war of the 1980’s. Her family does not acknowledge or accept her, so she came to Kabul, to stories are too important to miss. now had many new brothers and sis‐ Ken a picture of the scene at the court‐ the shelter, and has been there for ters. I spent mere hours with this fami‐ house. They refused to let me see it. I a Ferris wheel, a merry‐go‐round, food es them, helps to educate them and over a year. At 19 years old, she is try‐ My final contribu on was also a huge ly and already I was being adopted. It didn’t even protest; and for me, that’s tents and paddle boats. I never would eventually aids in assimila ng them ing to get a divorce, and prays every joy for me‐and the other women, too. was one of the most special moments saying a lot. I like to know and see eve‐ have expected to see any of this in back into their socie es. I worked sev‐ day that she will meet and marry a I am a massage therapist here in the in my life, to be welcomed and loved, rything. Knowing that I was in the Afghanistan. It was beau ful and eral days in the office with the Afghan good man; a man who will treat her US. My friends have always joked so openly and so quickly. I think about same city as these events was another helped to make the city, and the coun‐ employees educa ng them on group well. She knows if she does not then about me doing massage in Afghani‐ that day and I s ll get warm fuzzies mind‐blowing realiza on that I did not try, a place that was easier to relate to. ac vi es they could do with their Af‐ she will have to learn how to support stan because it does not seem like remembering how wonderful that day know how to process. I flew in and out I love water and beaches. They calm ghan clients to help build and develop herself. She told me that she would do something people are clamoring for. was. of the Kabul airport, I knew people me down, they bring me peace and personal values and life skills. The val‐ absolutely anything‐even si ng inside However, I was able to do just that. whose flights were delayed because of considering I was in a landlocked coun‐ ue of rela onships, self‐worth, com‐ her parent’s home and never leaving‐if For most of the women I met with, The first ques on people asked me the gunfire. I know where the court‐ try, I really had not been prepared for munica on, honesty and conflict reso‐ it meant her family would talk to her none of them had ever been touched when I told them I was headed to Af‐ house is, and I know that where I was the beauty that is Lake Qargha. I count lu on were among our topics. These again. She had a really hard me accu‐ with much care, especially not a touch ghanistan was, ¨Is it safe?¨ Well, ¨safe¨ headed a er it happened was an ex‐ that as a really special day with my things are very important to me and I rately expressing how she was feeling. that was meant also to heal and re‐ is a rela ve term; one tends to find tremely short drive away. I was never friends. feel very strongly about them. Being By the end, she had tears in her eyes. I store. Being a massage therapist is my that out the more they travel and ex‐ afraid for my life, but coming to under‐ One of the really interes ng things I able to share with the Afghan women was overcome with emo ons but tried job, and I love it, but giving these perience different situa ons. I have stand a small iota of what it means to was able to do while in Kabul was vol‐ the significance of those lessons and not to show them too much. Her face women massages was rewarding in touched on the fact that I felt safe and grow up in a country where war, vio‐ unteer with an NGO, Hagar Interna‐ how they can affect lives was incredi‐ was beau ful and innocent, except she ways I had not expected. When the well taken care of. But there is a reality lence, and bombs is your baseline for onal**, which works with women and bly special. I was also given the task of knows too much pain to be innocent. only words you can catch are ¨thank that there were three incidents that exis ng felt very heavy. However, I do children who are vic ms of human interviewing some of the women who Her features reminded me of a very you¨ but you are able to understand took place while I was in Kabul. The not wish to have come and gone from rights abuses. This organiza on res‐ live in the shelter, wri ng up stories dear friend of mine, and her story of the emo on behind them because of first two made major headlines, the Afghanistan without experiencing cues these women and children, hous‐ that describe their lives and maybe the awe in their voice that they are third had less news coverage. The first these, and other, difficult moments.
Page 4 Page 5 small world magazine - FROM OHIO TO AFGHANISTAN small world magazine - LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES FLAS FELLOWSHIP LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES FLAS FELLOWSHIP Ka e Drown
Meredith sits among the glassware in the Herat Glass Shop. Glassware is s ll made in the tradi onal way, by hand. The industry dates back to the 15th century. Ka e Drown is a senior majoring in My passion for Brazil and the Portu‐ between the ages of four and ten. Out‐ They may be hard to process, and un‐ when we discovered fro‐yo had arrived country and people of Afghanistan per‐ World Economy & Business and Portu‐ guese language began while living in side of classes I stay updated with Bra‐ derstand, but they are real. People in Kabul! I can s ll recall the first me I sonally. I know that, beyond militant guese. She was awarded a Foreign the city of Piracicaba, São Paulo from zilian current events. Learning as much experience these moments day in and heard the call to prayer my first night a acks, despite the horrible treatment Language and Area Studies Fellowship August 2009 un l June 2010 as a Rota‐ as I can about Brazil and the language day out. I hope, one day, that there are there. I was si ng on the back pa o of some women, Afghanistan IS a (FLAS) through the Center for La n ry Exchange Student. While there I is crucial to my career goals. I am cur‐ genera ons of Afghans who do not ea ng pizza from Pizza Brasil. I as‐ beau ful place. There are men and American Studies at Ohio State. a ended high school and language rently fluent in Portuguese and hope to have war as their baseline. sumed it was the call to prayer, but I women of courage, of strength, of school. I was involved in many extra‐ reach a level near to na ve fluency so asked Kim and Ken just to be sure. good character, of deep moral convic‐ Thank you for awarding me a 2012 curricular ac vi es such as plays, danc‐ that I can be compe ve in the inter‐ There are many random things I re‐ They chuckled as they realized, yet ons and with a genuine desire to Summer and 2013 Academic FLAS Fel‐ ing lessons, and mul ple solo musical na onal job market as well as qualify member from my trip. How they use again, what was second nature to make their country be er than it is. lowship. With the summer FLAS I trav‐ performances. In February of 2010 I to be an interpreter or translator. I Kleenex for napkins, or the feeling of them, was brand new for me. I will They have hope and want to give hope eled to Florianópolis, SC, Brazil and got a job in a language school where I hope to reach this fluency level so that driving on roads that have never been never be able to forget the sounds of to future Afghans. They are our broth‐ studied for seven weeks earning high taught English for four months. I made I may be hired to work at the Olympics touched with asphalt or concrete, for the ice cream carts that are pushed all ers and sisters. My heart broke many marks and six transferable credits. I many friends and developed las ng in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. example. I remember the amazing around the city. They played jingles of mes there, but even more o en was I benefi ed from the exposure to south‐ rela onships that s ll con nue today. beauty that is the mosque in Herat, three songs, including ¨Happy Birth‐ filled with joy and love for these peo‐ ern Brazilian culture and gained Because of my success with the lan‐ I firmly believe that I am capable of and how much cleaner the air smelled day¨ that I could never fully block out! I ple and this country. I hope to con n‐ knowledge by familiarizing myself with guage and the culture I was inspired to nearing this level of fluency with hard in that city during my weekend there. I could regale you with tales of airports ue being a part of its growth. the renowned ci es of Blumenau and con nue to study Portuguese and to work and by spending the fall semester cannot forget how hard it was to not with five security checkpoints before Curi ba. The academic year FLAS has focus my academic career towards of 2013 at the ESALQ branch of the be able to hug some of the people I you even get IN to the airport, and sev‐ I hope that as my senior year at The also benefi ed me greatly by allowing Brazil. University of São Paulo in Piracicaba, came to know well, because of our eral more once you get inside. But that Ohio State University con nues I will me to focus on school rather than fi‐ SP. While there I will study alongside genders. And how pu ng my hand on would take forever. have more opportuni es to share nancial burdens. Overall the FLAS fel‐ I am very commi ed to the region. I my Brazilian peers. I plan to take busi‐ my heart when I greeted people be‐ about my experiences, and one day, lowships have helped me to become a have spent the past three years study‐ ness and economics classes in the hope came second nature, in lieu of hand‐ I brought back some beau ful pieces of hopefully, make it back to Afghani‐ fluent Portuguese speaker, learn first‐ ing the country’s language, literature, that they will teach me the Brazilian shakes and hugs. I will always remem‐ Herat glass, scarves, lapis lazuli and of stan!” hand the culture of southern Brazil and economics and history. During spring business culture that I will need to ber how great I feel about chicken ke‐ course, photos. But, even more than all fuel my passion and goal to work as a quarter of 2012 I interned as a Portu‐ know in the future. The classes I have babs and how they might be my favor‐ of those things, I have this: the incredi‐ business woman between the USA and guese teacher for the Mosaic Home‐ taken here at OSU, especially those ite food. And the joy my friends got ble privilege to know some of the Brazil. school Program teaching basic Portu‐ taught in Portuguese, have prepared guese and Brazilian culture to students me for this experience.
Page 6 Page 7 small world magazine - FACULTY PUBLICATIONS small world magazine - A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES A Journey of a Thousand Miles Daniel Zaas
Daniel Zaas at Logan Pass, which intersects the Con nental Divide, in Glacier Park, Montana.
Daniel Zaas is a senior majoring in De‐ were gone. At first we slept in the trip was the incredible people that velopment Studies. Over the summer campgrounds but a er a p from a we met along the way. A surprising he biked across the U.S.! Here is his fellow cross‐country biker we learned amount of people bike across the story. that many small towns would let us country every year, and it is great fun camp in their public parks for free. Our to ride with them for a few days or to “Laozi, a 6th Century BCE philosopher, third op on was to scout out a friendly unexpectedly run into them. The best said: “A journey of a thousand miles looking local near the park and they example of this was when we ignored must begin with a single step.” Well, would o en let us sleep in the back‐ a detour sign in Minnesota. We ended for my high school teammate Ethan yard. A few people even took pity on up having to walk our bikes through a and I, it was three thousand miles and us, and allowed us to sleep in their couple miles of sand only to run into Dr. Schnell teaches Introduc on to & Doctrine Command), Fort Eus s, insights regarding how a empts to instead of a step, it was a pedal. It all homes and provided us with food. another group of bikers, who we had intelligence. His new book describes Virginia. His role has focused on sup‐ opera onalize cultural principles in started the morning of June 12, 2012. first met and last seen struggling up a the crea on, development and man‐ port via implementa on of the U.S. support of mission accomplishment We had just hopped off a train near Our route was to take us through the mountain pass in Washington. It was agement of the U.S. Army Culture & Army Culture & Foreign Language have evolved within the U.S. Army and Mt. Vernon, Washington, a few miles states along the Canadian border un l amazing to see the biking community Foreign Language Enterprise from the Strategy from its beginnings as an In‐ how the Army bureaucracy has re‐ from the Pacific Ocean. A er loading we hit home in Cleveland. The high‐ that the cross‐country route has creat‐ vantage point of Dr. Jim Schnell, U.S. telligence func on and recruitment, sponded to this kind of innova on. our bikes with about 50 pounds of gear lights of the trip included riding ed. There are so many people paying it Army Culture & Foreign Language hiring & management of the Culture & we took our first shaky pedals on our through and hiking in the North Cas‐ forward because one day they were Management Office Lead Social Scien‐ Foreign Language Advisors. As such, journey home to Cleveland. cade Na onal Park, Glacier Na onal helped out on their bike trip. I wish I st at Headquarters TRADOC (Training this has provided Schnell with relevant Park and Teddy Roosevelt Na onal could tell all their stories but it would We averaged riding about 60 miles a Park, traversing the Rockies (including take volumes. day however days ranged anywhere a 30 mile, 4000 foot ascent followed by from 20 to 90 miles depending on the about a 15 mile, zero‐pedal, descent So, 57 days, 3162 miles, and many, terrain. We carried all of our food, one day), riding 90 miles in Montana to many pedals later, we rode into our which usually consisted of Pop‐Tarts make it to a decent town for a surpris‐ driveways as if coming back from any for breakfast, peanut bu er on tor llas ingly good 4th of July fireworks display other ride. The ride took a toll, both for lunch, and mac and cheese for din‐ and our tradi onal post ride ice cream physically and mentally but was worth‐ ner. We also carried a tent, sleeping treat which happened nearly every while in every imaginable way. “ bag, and our clothing which we washed day. Honestly, the biggest highlight of maybe three mes over the 57 days we
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MIDDLE EAST STUDIES FLAS FELLOWSHIP Brianna Baar
Brianna Baar is pictured above at the Dome of the Rock, in Jerusalem. “We got special permission to enter the al‐ Brianna (right) with a fellow traveler admiring a ki y mural during the “Living Jerusalem” study abroad program. Aqsa compound as most of us were non‐Muslims. “ “In Jerusalem cats are everywhere!”
Brianna Baar is a senior majoring in across the room, I am not going to quit. with and twist the meanings of words. Middle East Studies. She was awarded a I have had my heart set on knowing this I an cipate that by Autumn 2013 I will Middle East, I can only imagine that the last fall as I was working in the MESC my Arabic to help people. Foreign Language and Area Studies language for years. I know that the road be at an intermediate level. As far as number of people fleeing their homes office, a woman who works somewhere Fellowship through the Middle East ahead of me is long, but I want to be language proficiency goes, I will have will increase. I would like to work for in Oxley Hall came in and asked to speak Learning Arabic is not easy. I struggle Studies Center for the 2013‐14 Academ‐ fluent. And honestly, I take a fair completed Arabic 2104. United States Commi ee for Refugees to the Assistant Director. She was won‐ with it every day. It is something that I ic Year. She has shared her FLAS essay amount of sa sfac on from the im‐ and Immigrants, or some private NGO, dering if we could donate some Arabic do not have a natural ap tude for, but if below. pressed look on people's faces when I I am a emp ng to graduate a year early or even a small social work firm. dic onaries to a woman in her church anything, the challenge makes me want say I'm studying Arabic. I listen to Arabic so I can begin working on a Master's who volunteered to help a group of Ar‐ to con nue with it even more, because “I have wanted to learn Arabic for years. pop music and Al Jazeera and YouTube degree in Social Work and con nue with I understand that most of the FLAS Fel‐ ab immigrants. She didn't speak a word the more difficult it is, the more I will When I was a sophomore in high school, videos, to both train my ear and try to my Arabic. I plan to focus my studies on lows are for people planning to work of Arabic herself and she was struggling feel I have achieved. I wanted to go into poli cs, and I pick out things I can understand. I think helping immigrant and refugee popula‐ abroad, which of course is very im‐ to help them with the many obstacles thought a good way to stand out would the language is beau ful, I love the raw‐ ons here in the United States. A er portant for na onal security as well as they faced as new immigrants and teach be to learn Arabic. And from then on, ness of the sounds, and I love its rich this, I would like to do the bulk of my foreign rela ons. But I also believe that them English. While this is extremely though my goals and ambi ons have history. I love how I have to really focus work domes cally working with immi‐ it is equally vital to have people in the admirable of her, I had to wonder if changed, my desire to learn Arabic has and use my brain to read the script be‐ grants and refugees from Arabic speak‐ U.S. who are capable of assis ng immi‐ there was no one else who was be er remained. I love the language, and cause of the similarity of the le ers. I ing countries. Whether they are Pales‐ grants and refugees with adap ng and equipped to assist these people. Even if though it o en frustrates me to the love how the structure of the verbs nian, Syrian, or Iraqi, I would like to assimila ng into life here. My asser ons my career takes a different turn and it is point of wan ng to throw my textbook make so much sense and that I can play help them. With all of the turmoil in the are supported by an encounter with a only something I am able to do on a coworker I had in the past year. One day volunteer basis, I want to be able to use
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Jason Silverman is a senior majoring in population of Arabs and Jews, Chris‐ ble conversations we engaged in con‐ Middle East Studies and Hebrew. He tians, Muslims, Druze, secular and reli‐ cerning issues within the society, poli‐ had the opportunity to teach English in gious, and those belonging to the Bahai tics, and discussing the various cultural Israel. Here is his story. faith. The program took place on norms that exist between us. This ex‐ Mount Carmel at the University of Hai‐ perience alone was invaluable and “In 2011, after making my first trip to fa where my studies consisted of Mid‐ greatly attributed to my further under‐ Jason pictured in Merom the Middle East, I developed a great dle East studies, ranging from the poli‐ standing of Israel, that co‐existence Golan, an Israeli se lement desire for learning and gaining an un‐ tics of the region to the culture of the does exist and it can be obtained. and a kibbutz in the derstanding of the region, its culture, various social groups present in Israel Throughout the year there were edu‐ northern Golan Heights. and its people. I then decided to pur‐ and the Middle East. I also studied cational trips and tours around all of sue a Bachelors degree in Middle East throughout the academic year in inten‐ Israel. These included the ancient city Studies and Hebrew with the hope of sive Hebrew language courses called of Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, the gaining experience and knowledge to Ulpan that challenged me greatly and desert in the Negev, the southern city make my interests my career as well. forced me to utilize my Hebrew skills of Eilat, and more. This year was full of Studying abroad was a great interest of daily. unforgettable experiences and my ho‐ mine and I felt that it was necessary to rizons were broadened. I will be able acquire firsthand experience of my I lived in the dorms of the university to use this gained experience here at studies in order understand in a deep‐ and had the privilege of being assigned home and, therefore, am able to ap‐ er way. Thanks to the program coordi‐ to all Israeli roommates. They all came proach existing issues in the Middle nators here at OSU I was able to find a from different social groups within the East with a unique, and informed, per‐ perfect program for the pursuit of country; one coming from an Arab spective. Thus far, this was the most studying the Middle East and the He‐ Muslim background, another from an important and influential year of my brew language. That program was in Arab Druze community, two from Rus‐ academic career. “ Israel, not in the frequently chosen city sian Jewish families, and the last from of Jerusalem, but Haifa, located on the a Tunisian German Jewish background. northern Mediterranean coast. This allowed for great cultural experi‐ Haifa is a port city with a very diverse ence and learning, and the unforgetta‐
Page 12 Page 13 small world magazine - BENJAMIN A. GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP TO SENEGAL small world magazine - BENJAMIN A. GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP TO SENEGAL
Thankfully, my 15‐year‐old host sister BENJAMIN A. GILMAN Scholarship to Leslie gathering Khady and 20‐year‐old host brother tomatoes at a Malick understood and spoke French women’s farm. that they learn in their local school. SENEGAL They were my main source of communi‐ Leslie Minney ca on, and as me progressed I grew to “I am forever understand basic commands in the Ser‐ thankful for my rer language. I am forever grateful to cia on for other cultures. study abroad my family in Sessène, and some mes experience as it when talking to the other nine American When I had finally completed my 17‐ has absolutely students on the trip, I preferred to be hour transit and was stepping off of my defined my called by my granted Senegalese name, final flight, I immediately felt the coastal undergraduate “Ndèye Diop.” breeze from the West African Atlan c career at Ohio hit me and make me start to sweat in State. There is no I am forever thankful for my study my purple co on sweatpants I was doubt it will open abroad experience as it has absolutely wearing as I le Ohio’s January weather. doors for my defined my undergraduate career at The ten students and I quickly experi‐ future studies Ohio State. There is no doubt it will enced West African’s defini on of and career open doors for my future studies and “ me” (or lack thereof) as we waited for aspira ons..” career aspira ons. I came to under‐ our ride for several hours at the airport. stand deeply what it means to live in a Once Waly, our program director, ar‐ community and another culture. I grew rived to pick us up we were welcomed closer to becoming a “global ci zen.” I Diène, and expanded my French vocab‐ our first host families, and made a five with open arms and hearts. Mee ng my learned how to cook over an open fire ulary on topics one does not usually hour trip outside of Dakar. I was the first host family in Dakar was my first inde‐ (which takes hours upon hours), and I learn in a basic French classroom, such one to get dropped off to my new host pendent experience of speaking French, indulged in making and drinking as how to reduce domes c waste water family, the Diops, who lived in Sessène, the na onal language of Senegal. I was “a aya” tea and ea ng couscous with from laundry or dishes, the problem of Senegal. When I got out of the van, it so eager to speak and test my my hand. What I was not prepared for se ng up waste management and trash was hard to dis nguish which of the knowledge of French with my family I was how the culture would cause my pick‐ups in rural areas, conserving fish‐ li le kids and elders were part of my did not even unpack un l the following defini on of love and sharing to alter so ing environments which are so vital to family; in fact, I ini ally thought they night. My daily walk to school in the dras cally, or who I would meet that Senegal’s export economy, and finding made up the majority of the village. In capital city of Dakar was filled with ex‐ would cause my heart to ache in joy for sustainable solu ons for flood‐prone the next few days, I quickly realized how haust pipes, busy people on their way to them every day since leaving. areas and the displaced Senegalese. large my polygamous family truly was ‐ work, and children asking for spare Learning about specific development an approximately 15‐person group francs. I walked every morning to a end The tradi onal classroom is important techniques while one is living and fully made up of 12 sisters and brothers! In class and study at the West African Re‐ and o en where a great deal of learning present in that country allows for an this remote village, where my family search Center (WARC) at 8am. At WARC, occurs in our society today, but what is experience of the underlying cultural had no electricity or running water, I Leslie Minney (back center) pictured with her host family the Diops, during I met incredible professors who had more, in order to fully understand, is barriers to development. We also was placed in an internship with her stay in Senegal. much to say about the country in which experiencing first‐hand his/her passion. learned about tradi onal values, like the AGRECOL AFRIQUE, or “Agriculture they were raised, both in terms of the Although Senegal’s developing social, Wolof word “maasla,” which is the un‐ Ecologique,” an NGO represented in 14 Leslie Minney is a senior majoring in tween the Office of Interna onal Affairs history of development and their hope economic and poli cal na on told a spoken agreement between Senegalese regions of Senegal as well as Mali and Development Studies and Anthropolo‐ at Ohio State University and the Twin for the future. story that was some mes difficult to people to keep peace and harmony in Burkina Faso, that focuses on the agri‐ gy. She was awarded a Benjamin A. Ci es Learning Abroad Center of Minne‐ hear or see, I cannot forget the many their society, which o en means over‐ cultural ecosystem and the sustainabil‐ Gilman Interna onal Scholarship. The sota University. I was the only repre‐ The MSID program is unique in that you hearts I was fortunate enough to come looking li ering or other detrimental ity of organic farming within rural villag‐ Gilman Scholarship Program offers senta ve from Ohio State along for this get to choose an internship track based to love. ac ons affec ng the environment. es. Every morning around 8am, I either awards for undergraduate study abroad. journey; the other nine students were on five op ons including Cultural Stud‐ Learning solely in French, picking up a walked or rode on the back of my co‐ She used her scholarship to fund her coming from every corner of the na on ies, Environment/Ecology and Sustaina‐ No ma er where your passion and li le tribal language and adjus ng to the worker’s motorcycle (which was ex‐ study abroad trip to Senegal. to partake in a seven week in‐classroom ble Agriculture, Microbusiness and Al‐ dreams lie, whether it is in volunteering, culture all proved challenging and well tremely difficult to stay balanced on and study of the development of Senegal terna ve Economies, Educa on and traveling, cooking or star ng a business, worth the effort. And my French im‐ steer in the desert sand) to neighboring “Through the Minnesota Interna onal and a six week fieldwork/internship ex‐ Literacy, and Public Health. All courses I fully encourage you to live courageous‐ proved enormously! villages, touring the large families’ gar‐ Development in Senegal (MSID) and perience. My experience greatly altered are taught in French, and one course is ly, always moving forward and following dens and learning the methods of grow‐ awarded funds through the Benjamin A. my percep ons of what it means to be taught in Wolof, the tribal language spo‐ your heart, to be daring and to live only Just as our group of ten American stu‐ ing and selling organic food, which in Gilman Interna onal Scholarship, I was an American in a developing country ken by the majority of the Senegalese. I as you have imagined. It is truly through dents were growing red of the hustle many cases was the main source of in‐ allowed the privilege to par cipate in a and especially a tradi onal village, but chose to focus on Environmental/ answering our fears of exploring into and bustle of Dakar, it was me for our come for the family. My family, the Di‐ semester‐long study abroad experience what I did not expect to experience was Agricultural Studies. I had an intensive the unknown that we are able to experi‐ internship phase. We all piled into a van ops, spoke Serrer, a tribal language I had in the developing country of Senegal. the profound shi in the way I define six week classroom phase with our ever‐ ence living fully and to fulfill aspira‐ on the morning a er saying goodbye to not learned during the classroom phase. The MSID program is a partnership be‐ love, family, communica on and appre‐ so‐pa ent and towering professor ons!”
Page 14 Page 15 small world magazine - SLAVIC & EAST EUROPEAN FLAS FELLOWSHIP small world magazine - NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION
NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION SLAVIC & EAST EUROPEAN FLAS FELLOWSHIP Chris na Bi oni Eric Connelly “There is a saying in As a Globaliza on and Russian Lan‐ Russian that goes, "Be er to have 100 friends than guage major at Ohio State I get to 100 dollars". This is a study in an interdisciplinary fashion the photo of my friends and I many ways people all over the world from Tobolsk in the summer are becoming connected. The emer‐ of 2010. Kneeling in front of me in the peach shirt is gence of a global society is par cularly Zhenya. He is a self‐taught interes ng to me, as are the differ‐ English and Spanish speaker ences that remain between na ons. and an an ‐drug and alcohol advocate who Language, as both a difference be‐ organizes classes dedicated tween cultures and as a communica‐ to alcohol abuse awareness. on tool, can be like a key to overcom‐ Behind my le shoulder in ing the hindrances of cultural misun‐ red is Alexey, an aspiring rap ar st who also speaks derstanding. I have always admired o en through local media those with the ability to understand against the use of drugs. foreign languages and my study of Rus‐ To my right is Denis, an English teacher. Above the sian has been a very enriching experi‐ group in black is Daur, and ence. Russian has consistently been in red at the bo om is a my favorite course each term and my friend I nicknamed "Crazy" Slavic culture courses have also been Dinar.” enlightening and enjoyable.
Eric Connelly is a senior majoring in creasingly more connected world. Upon gradua on I hope to gain experi‐ Globaliza on Studies and Russian. He ence teaching English abroad through was awarded a Foreign Language and Several co‐workers with whom I be‐ Fulbright or a similar program. I also Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS) from came closest are from Russia, and I plan to a end graduate school in pur‐ the Center for Slavic & East European became enraptured with the difference suit of further studies in Slavic culture Studies for the 2013‐14 Academic between their accounts of life there as well as a Master’s of Educa on. Year! Here is his FLAS applica on and my own preconceived no ons. Ul mately I would like to pursue a ca‐ statement. While con nuing my work in Outdoor reer which allows me to promote the Educa on I studied Russian inde‐ type of cross‐cultural exchanges I and “My academic interests have been pendently for two years before enter‐ my interna onal colleagues were for‐ shaped by those whom I have go en ing Ohio State. During that same me I tunate enough to experience. A For‐ to know over the past six years. A er traveled to Russia twice, each visit eign Language and Area Studies Fel‐ my freshman year at Columbus State I las ng two months and consis ng of lowship would allow me to further ex‐ took some me away from school to stays in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tyu‐ plore my interests in the process of teach Outdoor Educa on for the YMCA men, and Tobolsk. I was immersed in globaliza on and improve my ability to and other organiza ons around the the language and culture, with few communicate across cultural and na‐ Chris na Bi oni is a sophomore ma‐ joring or minoring in the Italian lan‐ “My study abroad will take place at the country. As part of these experiences I people to communicate with in English. onal borders. As we become more joring in Interna onal Rela ons and guage, Italian studies, Italian American American University of Rome from lived and worked with individuals from I received very warm welcomes from connected we should be able to pro‐ Diplomacy and Italian. She was award‐ studies or a related field who demon‐ January 20 ‐ May 14, 2014. I will be many cultures and came to strongly many who had never met an American mote acceptance by improving our ed two $5,000 scholarships from the strate outstanding poten al and high pursuing Interna onal Rela ons and value the diversity among people both before, and I remain friends with those understanding of others. The support Na onal Italian American Founda on academic achievements. Italian courses. I look forward to living at home and abroad. Interna onal I met to this day. During my stay we of a FLAS would allow me to con nue (NIAF). Each summer the NIAF awards in the university‐appointed housing at exchange programs like CCUSA im‐ o en exchanged language lessons and striving for that ideal.“ scholarships to outstanding students Scholarship awards range from $2,000‐ the top of the Gianicolo hill in Rome! I proved my knowledge of life abroad for a short me ran a club which we for use during the following academic $12,000 and are awarded to under‐ am also very excited to travel to vari‐ and honed my interest on the ways our called ‘English Alive!’ within which year. The awards are made on the ba‐ graduate, graduate, post‐graduate, ous parts of Europe throughout the lives con nue to become more inter‐ those interested in English could prac‐ sis of academic merit and divided be‐ medical, dental, and legal students. trip!” dependent across borders. Greater ce with me alongside Russian conver‐ tween two groups of students; those of Chris na is using her scholarships to awareness of this inter‐dependency sa on. My studies at Ohio State have Italian American background who fund a study abroad program to Italy helped foster within me a passion to allowed me to more strongly com‐ demonstrate outstanding poten al and this Spring semester! She hopes to further understand the connec ons municate with my friends abroad. high academic achievements, and stu‐ increase her Italian language fluency. among people living in what is an in‐ dents from any ethnic background ma‐
Page 16 Page 17 small world magazine - LIVING JERUSALEM small world magazine - LIVING JERUSALEM LIVING JERUSALEM Open House, one of the only Israeli LGBTQ rights organiza on located in Noura Dabdoub Jerusalem. Students listened to deeply personal stories about how members of the organiza on came out to their families and how they address the difficul es of living in Jerusalem. The group also visited Beit Safafa, a neigh‐ borhood of Jerusalem located directly in the path of a planned Israeli high‐ way that would divide the area in two, and met with local youth who orga‐ nized legal opposi on to the highway. Experiencing music was a highlight of the tour. The group visited the studio of Sabreen, a Pales nian band and non ‐profit organiza on that provides mu‐ sic educa on. Students were treated to a live jam session with Said Murad, singer and producer, using tradi onal instruments such as the Oud (lute), Shibabah (reed flute), and Tablah (skin drum). The group toured the Hand‐in‐ Hand school, where kindergarten through high school students are taught using a model of bilingualism (Arabic and Hebrew), mul culturalism, Students on the Living Jerusalem trip had the opportunity to tour the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy and equality. The OSU students wit‐ Sepulcher, the Dome of the Rock, and the Al Aqsa Mosques. nessed a music class where children sang songs in Arabic—but read the The ancient walls, gli ering domes and changing trip surpassed all of my ex‐ The Living Jerusalem tour group spent lyrics of songs in both Arabic and He‐ graceful spires are iconic symbols of pecta ons…we met with ac vists, reli‐ the first week in West Jerusalem, the brew. the Old City of Jerusalem. Eleven Ohio gious leaders, and families all with predominately Jewish Israeli sec on of State University students had the op‐ unique opinions and perspec ves on the city, and the second week in the Food and family were also memorable portunity to visit Jerusalem this May life in this mul faceted city.” Hannah predominately Muslim and Chris an features of the trip. The group experi‐ for two weeks as part of the Living Trate, a sophomore in Poli cal Science Pales nian East Jerusalem. Trate de‐ enced a tradi onal Shabbat dinner Jerusalem Project study abroad tour. and Middle Eastern Studies, echoed scribed experiencing the mul ple divi‐ with a Jewish family living in the The group, led by Dr. Amy Horowitz this sen ment, sta ng “a few weeks sions of Jerusalem, saying “We had Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem— and Noura Dabdoub, toured the well‐ before arriving in Jerusalem, I remem‐ opportuni es to meet incredible peo‐ complete with fresh‐baked Challah known sites: the Western Wall, the ber casually remarking in a moment of ple, analyze conflic ng narra ves, and bread and beau fully chanted prayers. Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the arrogant ignorance that I suspected try to understand the impact that living Later in the trip, students were invited Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa ‘li le would surprise me in Jeru‐ within such tangible conflict has had to lunch at the homes of Pales nian families in Beit Sahour, close to Bethle‐ mosques. salem’... As it turned out, no amount of on people’s daily lives. At the same Enjoying a tradi onal meal. Even French fries! secondhand knowledge could have me, we were forced to recognize that hem, and tasted tradi onal foods such The students, however, were exposed fully prepared me for the coming two life in Jerusalem is so much more than as Ma ool and Hummous. to perspec ves of Jerusalem rarely weeks.” Tour par cipants were hosted conflict. It’s family and friends and sions about the city. Dr. Amy Horowitz, confronted their own preconceived experienced by tourists. Before em‐ and guided by Israeli, Pales nian, Mus‐ food and shopping. You could have a A er the scheduled daily events, stu‐ Living Jerusalem Resident Director, no ons.” barking on the trip, students of the lim, Jewish and Chris an scholars, protest on one side of a street, while dents were free to explore Jerusalem summarized the experience of the trip, Interna onal Studies Living Jerusalem ar sts, poli cians, diplomats and reli‐ the other side is filled with merchants, on their own. They navigated the saying, “What I loved the most about The Living Jerusalem class, Interna on‐ course studied Jerusalem’s religions, gious prac oners on a program de‐ restaurants, and people going about crowded and hec c marketplace of the this Living Jerusalem study tour was al Studies 4200, is offered during mul ple histories, complex poli cal signed to present mul ple‐‐and at their daily lives. And this, in Jerusalem, Old City, bartered with vendors, sam‐ how much I learned from the students Spring semester. The next Living Jeru‐ issues, and intersec ng cultural prac‐ mes conflic ng‐‐perspec ves that is normalcy.” pled local food, and met new people. as they discovered the city. To say this salem study abroad tour will take place ces. Chandni Pawar, a senior in keep Jerusalem at the center of imagi‐ In the evening, students spent me was a sharp group of cri cal thinkers in 2015. More informa on regarding Chemistry, noted that “Despite our na on and inquiry. The group met with several community with local college students and en‐ would be an understatement ‐‐ they the course and tour may be found at classroom prepara on, this life‐ ac vist groups, including the Jerusalem gaged in thought‐provoking discus‐ relentlessly probed beneath surfaces, h p://www.livingjerusalem.com/. challenged conflic ng narra ves, and
Page 18 Page 19 small world magazine - ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS small world magazine - ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS UNITED STATES AGENCY ALUMNI Highlights FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Oghogho Igodan (2011) THIRD FEDERAL SAVINGS & LOAN “My upbringing in Nigeria and South Senior Modeling Analyst Africa led me to major in Interna onal Kirk Harrington (1999) Studies and concentrate in Interna on‐ al Rela ons and Diplomacy at the Ohio State University. While at Ohio State, I par cipated in the John Glenn Wash‐ ington Academic Internship Program, learned R, and learned the program‐ professionals from all over the country studied abroad in Dijon, France and ming language SQL (on mul ple (and recently out of the country in volunteered with Buck‐I‐Serv in Belize pla orms). Sweden). City, Belize. My plan a er gradua on
was to pursue a graduate degree in The other thing I appreciated from my Thanks to my understanding of some Interna onal Development & Foreign Interna onal Studies program is that it interna onal laws, I was able to marry Policy and then work in the Foreign taught me to be a good world ci zen a Canadian, help her become Ameri‐ Service. However, during the last and to give to my na on, community, can, and had three really great children quarter of my senior year, I took an and world whenever I had the chance. (ages are 8, 13, and 16). I have been Anthropology Women, Culture and I have taken with me this spirit ever able to help them enjoy life as well by Development course which required a since I graduated. For example, I’ve being involved in ac vi es such as mu‐ final research project. I decided to “The Interna onal Studies major from served as a merit badge counselor for sic (my daughter plays the clarinet for write a research paper Ohio State taught me to write, to re‐ the Boy Scouts of America, Ci zenship Orchestra and Marching band and my on tackling maternal mortality and search, and analyze. These skills have in the World merit badge. I have also son plays the French horn), science morbidity in Nigeria. It was during this been invaluable to me in my current done service for the Snow Leopard clubs, and many other unique ac vi es me period that I realized that I no career as senior sta s cal analyst in Trust which helps protect snow leop‐ (including interna onal ones). longer wanted to pursue a career in the banking industry. I have worked in ards in Mongolia (snowleopard.org). I diplomacy but in global health. Thus, Credit Risk and Marke ng for several have volunteered for many events One other thing I’ve enjoyed since my a er gradua ng in June 2011, I moved major Midwest banks, including Na‐ (including interna onal ones) through gradua on are travels to different US to Washington, DC. onal City, Fi h Third, Key, and Third my various employers over the years states (either with my family or by my‐
Federal. Further, I enjoyed working in and through my church. I’ve also had self), including Boston, New Jersey, During my me in DC, I had internships Interna onal Banking (Le ers of Cred‐ the opportunity to write for a trade New York, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, with various organiza ons, including it) for both Fi h Third and Hun ngton and various business publica ons. Illinois, Iowa and Pennsylvania. Along the Georgetown University's Ins tute Banks. with these travels I have sought to ap‐ for Reproduc ve Health, Interna onal The Interna onal Studies program also preciate the diversity of our na on and Medical Corps and also worked part‐ A er I received my degree at Ohio help me enjoy the diversity of life enjoyed the adventures I’ve had along me with the Global Health and WASH State and worked a couple of years at which has boosted my desires to get the way. Team at World Vision. My experiences Hun ngton Banks in the Interna onal more out of it. Thanks to this passion, at World Vision, Georgetown Universi‐ Department, I went back to school at I started an effort to promote the in‐ I will always be grateful for my degree ty's Ins tute for Reproduc ve the State University of New York to duc on of Duran Duran (my favorite from Ohio State, and par cularly my work as a Program Assistant sup‐ ters of Public Health from the John Health and Interna onal Medical obtain my Masters of Economics. I band) to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame degree in Interna onal Studies. It has por ng the President's Malaria Ini a‐ Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Corps enabled me to also con nued some interna onal (see www.dd rh.info). Through this imprinted on me a passion for diversi‐ ve in the Global Health Bureau. The Health and also become a midwife. I gain experience providing research studies, including (for example) studies effort I have met people from all over ty, a love for research and wri ng, and President's Malaria Ini a ve aims to am an advocate for women's health assistance for Requests for Applica‐ of Asian Economies. To advance in my the world, including professionals in the desires to enjoy life a li le more reduce malaria‐related mortality in locally and globally. I strongly believe ons/Proposals, wri ng proposals, chosen career I felt like I needed the the music and film industry. Further, I every day.” 70% of at‐risk popula ons in sub‐ that every woman despite her age, reviewing program narra ve reports, addi onal schooling and I was right. It started a group called SAEG which Saharan Africa. I provide program‐ geographical loca on, socio‐ and working on global health projects was only one year later a er I received stands for ‘Sta s cal Analyst Effec ve‐ ma c and opera onal support to the economic status and ethnic back‐ funded by donors such as DfID, the my Masters that I was promoted from ness Group’ which seeks to share with PMI headquarters team and also sup‐ ground should have access to quality Global Fund, USAID and OCHA. within at Fi h Third to be a Senior junior and intermediate‐level analysts port the Democra c Republic of Congo and affordable maternal health ser‐
Credit Risk Analyst. Here I learned the skills that they can use to advance in country team. vices. I s ll have a heart for diploma‐ In April 2013, I was offered a posi on valuable sta s cal tool, SAS, which their careers. I have also been success‐ cy—global health diplomacy!” at the U.S. Agency for Interna onal helped me in the next several years of ful in networking with many business In the future, I hope to pursue a Mas‐ my work. I have since used SPSS, Development in Washington, DC. I
Page 20 Page 21 small world magazine - ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS small world magazine - ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS Payne Fellow, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson Center DEVELOPMENT FRONTIERS INTERNATIONAL (DHI), SOMALIA for Public and Interna onal Affairs Education Project Manager Herve Thomas (2003) Muhamed Farah Abdulahi (2012)
Foreign Service Officer, I hope to chan‐ nel his passion for public service as I work to sustainably improve the liveli‐ hoods of poor and underserved com‐ muni es."
Prior to joining the Payne Program, Hervé worked in Hohenfels, Germany where he developed training materials and supported various training events for the Joint Mul na onal Readiness Center. Before this he spent nearly two and a half years in Afghanistan with the U.S. Agency for Interna onal Development (USAID). In his capacity as Ac ng Water Team Leader there, he led and coordinated the agency's wa‐ ter por olio. Addi onally, Hervé took on various du es including Lead Civil‐ ian Representa ve for Zormat District, a remote, dangerous, poverty‐stricken area of Paktya province in Southeast Afghanistan.
Before serving in Afghanistan, Hervé spent three and a half years in Iraq as Principal Consultant for Displacement and Migra on with the U.S. Depart‐ ment of State, Senior Program Officer Herve Thomas joined the Payne Pro‐ row Wilson School for Public and Inter‐ for the Na onal Democra c Ins tute, gram as part of its 2013 inaugural na onal Affairs where he is pursuing a Deputy Country Director for Interna‐ class. Born in Orange, New Jersey, Master's in Public Affairs and a cer fi‐ onal Medical Corps, and Director of Hervé grew up in Port‐au‐Prince, Hai cate in Science, Technology, and Envi‐ Muhamed Farah Abdulahi graduated lives with an educa on project that I structed nine schools, one school in Assessments and Evalua on at RTI In‐ where his passion for public service ronmental Policy. While at Woodrow with a major in Development Studies. am leading @Uunsi Primary School. Dollow town and eight in remote vil‐ terna onal. and interna onal affairs evolved. Her‐ Wilson, Hervé plans to further build on lages that didn’t have schools before. vé holds a BA in Arabic and Develop‐ his interna onal experiences and “I work with a local humanitarian or‐ My responsibility is the coordina on There are now 1432 students who are ment Studies from The Ohio State Uni‐ deepen his background in environmen‐ ganiza on that works in Somalia called and comple on of the educa on pro‐ enrolled in these schools and we sup‐ versity. As a Boren Scholar, Hervé tal policy and economic analysis. He is Development Fron ers Interna onal ject. I set deadlines for the contractors port and pay incen ves to 42 teachers. studied at The American University in looking forward to a career in the (DFI). This organiza on empowers who are building schools; I assign re‐ Cairo in 2002 – 2003. USAID Foreign Service. Asked about his communi es against poverty. They sponsibili es to the staffs that closely I also engage students and parents and experience thus far, he said, "Over the have offices in Kenya and Somalia. work with the Educa on Officer. I mon‐ encourage parents to send their chil‐ In addi on, Hervé spent academic last year, I learned a lot about our A er I graduated from The Ohio State itor and summarize progress of the dren to the school which is free for all. summers in Syria and Jordan and has namesake and I am honored to be one University in the spring of 2012, I was project. I also prepare reports for up‐ Bringing parents into a collabora ve traveled extensively throughout the of USAID's two inaugural Payne Inter‐ offered a job by the DFI country direc‐ per management regarding the status environment gives students the sup‐ Middle East. na onal Development Fellows. I am tor in Somalia as an Educa on Project of the educa on project. port they need to perform at their inspired by late Congressman Payne's Manager. highest levels.” As a Payne Fellow, Hervé currently advocacy against genocide and on be‐ The educa on project that I lead con‐ a ends Princeton University's Wood‐ half of poor communi es. As a USAID Children are offered the opportunity to structed schools in the Gedo region in go to school for the first me in their Southern Somalia. So far, we have con‐
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