Social Environment in the Palestinian Territories, I

¶ … social environment in the Palestinian Territories, I have a tremendous appreciation for some of the benefits and opportunities available to young people in the U.S. that many of my future classmates may take for granted. For example, in my homeland, there is a desperate need for a more efficient and affordable energy supply. As a result, I appreciate the convenience of affordable electricity in the U.S. that might never occur to some of my classmates who have never known life without it. Partly because of the need for affordable clean energy in my homeland, I developed an interest in pursuing the technical challenges of developing affordable energy sources for use in areas of the world where energy needs are not currently being met by the existing infrastructure and systems available. I hope to pursue that interest, beginning through my choice of a double academic major in Theoretical Mathematics and Physics. In addition to helping my community of origin, this academic focus will also fit my passion for solving complex problems and devising solutions for them.

My developmental experiences also included continual exposure to delicate social and political environments and situations. As a child of a Palestinian-Muslim father and a Polish-Christian mother, I speak Arabic to my father, Polish to my mother, and English to both parents when together. At the Lycee Francais de Jerusalem, I spoke French to my classmates and Hebrew to my peers in the streets of Jerusalem. I have always had an interest in understanding social conflicts and in reconciling different perspectives and beliefs that often cause conflict among different people. Toward that end, I have participated in several peace organizations such as the Peres Center for Peace, PeacePlayers Middle East, and Seeds of Peace.