Driven for Change
Written by Leen Alfatafta
It is nearing the end of my time with the Arab Studies Master’s program at Georgetown University and I could not be more grateful to the Kuwait-America Foundation for granting me this opportunity. My experience thus far has been one of constant growth. Intellectually, I have been challenged by the rigor of the MAAS program in ways that were new to me. Luckily, the involved faculty and supportive staff of the program walked me through every challenge, and they did so in a way that equipped me with the necessary tools to navigate future challenges. Working as a research assistant to Professor Fida Adely has been one of the most fulfilling and fascinating experiences I have had throughout my education. From coding interviews to building a database, I was introduced to different research skills and methods that prepare me well for a career in knowledge production and management. Likewise, my participation in multiple paper workshops hosted by the Center for Contemporary Studies has been invaluable for building a global professional network of knowledge producers that I continue to be inspired by everyday.
I cannot speak of my experience at Georgetown’s Arab Studies program without mentioning my cohort, who were the best company- intellectually and socially. I am proud to be part of a cohort that mobilized in the face of each and every critical moment of our time together. The thoughtfulness of my peers, their eagerness to help, their hospitality and affirmations ensured that I never felt alone or out of place, feelings that creep in way too often in the world of Academia. Collectively, during our time together we have witnessed the outbreak of COVID-19, protests from DC to Beirut, and a change in US administration. At every turn, my cohort engaged in critical reflection, asking ourselves and each other what is our role - our responsibility - as future knowledge producers and practitioners in this changing world? While our answers might differ from one another, the fact that we belong to a program that propels each of us to think of worlds outside and beyond our own is commendable.
As I gear up to pursue a PhD in Cultural Anthropology, I cannot help but recognize how far I have come since joining MAAS. My intellectual curiosity is now complemented by a deeper understanding of the history of the modern Middle East and the different configurations of power that shape and inspire change in the region, all thanks to MAAS. None of this would have been possible without the support of the Kuwait-America Foundation. Alongside my thanks, I extend my commitment to support future generations of Arab scholars and carry the mission of the KAF scholarship wherever life takes me.
