My personal interpretation of “salaamat” is also something that I feel toward my time serving as a traveler for Reach The World and toward all the incredible students and educators who have followed along my journey interpreting the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and perspectives of Palestine and of my identity as a Latina in Palestine.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has followed my journey. I hope that you have learned many new and insightful things about Palestine and its culture, customs and society. Most likely, you can now recognize and appreciate differences and similarities between my experience and yours.
To students who aspire to be global citizens and are determined to demystify and engage the world around you, my advice is that where there is a will, there is a way. Early on in my high school and college careers, I faced many obstacles ranging from financial hardships to lack of support from those around me in following my ambitions to learn about different regions of the world such as the Middle East. However, I never took “no” for an answer and simply became more determined in making my dreams to study and live abroad come true. I applied to countless scholarships and had countless discussions and dialogues with friends, family and loved ones to slowly but surely break down stereotypes and misconceptions, and to eventually achieve my goals. I know that it can be tough, but most worthwhile journeys aren’t easy. They require determination, passion and curiosity, and if you can channel these qualities into your goals and game plans, I’m sure that you will be unstoppable!
