How Volleyball Changed My Life

Athletics is not usually promoted among Arab girls, but that did not prevent me from pursuing volleyball. I have been playing volleyball since the 8th grade, and I eventually was ranked in the state in digs per set. I received a scholarship to play volleyball at Henry Ford community college, and was the 1st female athlete at my high school to play any college sport. Volleyball helped me get out of my comfort zone and see what I am capable of accomplishing.

Attending HFC assisted me to build on the skills I attributed through playing volleyball with a focus on academia. However, I was still undecided on a career until I took an introduction to political science course; my professor asked the class what we thought politics meant. The first

As a Lebanese American, I came to realize how the Arab community in Dearborn has created a melting pot of its own. Arab-Americans trace their roots to over 22 countries and I am able to get a glimpse of this this every-day. I have Lebanese immigrant parents. A refugee from Syria, an international student from Yemen, a first-generation Lebanese-American, an American born Citizen with Iraqi parents—all live next door to each other on my block. While commuting to work I stop by Qahwah house and grab a cup of Yemeni coffee, thanks to Ibrahim Alhasbani, a native of Yemen who imports all his coffee beans from a family farm in Yemen. I now work at ACCESS, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social services, and help Arabs of all backgrounds whose cultures show a richness missed by most. Chances are, if an Arab American grew up in Dearborn, they have some personal relationship with ACCESS as a volunteer, a worker, or receiving services, or like me, possibly all three. ACCESS has been a bridge to bring the varied immigrants and transition from throughout the Middle-East to find their place in Dearborn’s melting pot. During my lunch period at ACCESS, I often stop by Al-Chabab restaurant where chef Chamo Barakat, who in Aleppo was a five-star chef, provides me with a delicious experience of Syrian cuisine. Either by enjoying all the different cuisines, music and art or talking politics to get different

If given the chance to participate in the Michigan Community College Summer Research Fellowship Program (CCSFP) at the University of Michigan's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, I will take full advantage of the opportunity to tour the campus and learn about the many opportunities at UM-Ann Arbor. I would fully utilize the resources that the University of Michigan provides, and learn from fellow students, and mentors. With rigorous classes and a demand for excellency, I I am open to the new opportunities for learning. My desire to attend and conduct research at the University of Michigan is because of its reputation of academic rigor beyond the realms of memorizing facts and ideas. Being a wolverine involves understanding of the material in the classroom and being able to interact vigorously and critically with the content outside of the classroom. I am interested in political science and international relations and I want to be challenged me to help build and strengthen the requisite learning and skills so I am better prepared for work, life and the challenges tomorrow will bring with my field of study. A University of Michigan education offers me an platform to help me better understand structural inequalities and provide me with the tools to develop solutions to social