About Me

“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.”  -Anton Chekhov

In the midst of the Arizona deserts, Phoenix was where I began my journey of knowledge, living with the humbling statement that I am a student until death. In 1990, less than one year in age, I moved to Homs, Syria with my grandmother, where it contrasted the United States in almost every aspect, culturally, politically, economically, and religious. It marked the end of the Lebanese civil war, after 30 years of Syrian military presence in the country. In the 1970’s, after the Syrian Corrective Revolution, Hafez al-Assad took power, and instilled organizational infrastructure for the Syrian government. After the Yom Kippur War, fighting alongside Egypt, Israel continued to occupy Syrian territory, and had initiated control of Southern Lebanon. With approval of the Arab League, Syria sent 40,000 troops into Lebanon to prevent it from being overrun. It all came to an end in 1990, after the Taif Agreement, which ended the civil war and Lebanon returned to political normalcy. Being in Syria, after all this, I became a strict advocate of peace and unity, while despising any actions of war, aggression, or occupation.

Arriving back into the United States, I had to learn to speak English all over again, yet carried valuable experiences from living in the Middle East for five years. I continued my schooling through Kyrene Del Sol Elementary School, Aprende Middle School, and Corona Del Sol High School, where I was the Vice-President of my Senior class. I remained active throughout my educational career, participating in Student Council, National Honor Society, and volunteer work with various clubs. I gained multiple job experiences, such as working for Albertsons Osco, Harkins Theatres, and Lowes Home Improvement for over two years. I currently work and volunteer at Chandler Regional Hospital, and conduct lab work for Dairy Herd Laboratory. Through numerous jobs, volunteer work, and activities, I gained multifaceted experiences in the workforce while managing income, as well as gaining personal knowledge. I live by the quote “Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice”. I believe that knowledge should be implemented towards the care and assistance of others instead of benefitting one’s self. I love helping, while seeking happiness and peace of mind through putting other peoples’ needs before mine. 

I am now a student at Arizona State University, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Pursuing an undergraduate degree in Global Health (BA), I plan to delve into the medical career with an interest in Cardiology and Pediatrics. I took part in the Study Abroad Program through ASU, and visited New Zealand and Fiji collectively for about one month, while studying health care, environmental quality, globalization, food/water quality, and sustainable living. Travelling internationally, and living in Syria for over 5 years, has given me distinct experiences and perspectives on cultural lifestyle, education, and especially health. It is fascinating to see how all humans, residents, and citizens of every nation are interconnected with challenges and difficulties they face together. Studying Global Health, my goal is to promote global unity and health equality, and to simply make a strong positive impact on individuals and the community, while raising the health standards, voicing the causal factors and effects of social stigma, and health inequities all over the world.