This May, I graduated Cum Laude from New York University Abu Dhabi with a BA in Social Research and Public Policy, and minors in Arabic and Creative Writing. I received the NYU Founder's Day Award for my academic achievements. It is hard to believe that these four incredibly rewarding years passed by so quickly!
After starting the university experience remotely during Covid lockdowns, I was eager to finally call NYU, and Abu Dhabi, home. I am thankful to both for giving me the flexibility to explore different subjects, pushing me to pursue current interests and uncover new ones. Stand out classes included Wayfinding with Goffredo Puccetti, The Anthropology of Language with Ram Natarajan, Media & Politics with Korhan Kocak, and Intro to Sailing.
Outside of the classroom, some highlights were interning at the Embassy of Greece in the UAE, learning about diplomatic relations and processes, and CNN Academy, where I produced a feature climate story that aired on Connect the World.
New York University's global education truly fulfilled its promise—I was able to engage in class discussions with students from around the world, and use the world as my classroom. From news reporting during my semester in Buenos Aires, to engaging hands-on with cultural heritage in Socotra, the opportunities for learning about the world were remarkable. During my time in university, I was fortunate to visit all seven Emirates, every GCC country, and travel extensively in Central Asia, the Arab world and South America.
Post-graduation, I am not saying goodbye to Abu Dhabi just yet. This September I start a year of research as a CITIES Post-Graduation Research Fellow, continuing my Capstone research about cycling habits and infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. I am looking forward to researching under the mentorship of Rana Tomaira, and the resources of the CITIES Center for Interacting Urban Networks.
