“I was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland as the eldest of five children to two Somali immigrants who fell in love and met in America. My journey to Georgetown began after a conversation I had in a small gelato shop located in Assisi, Italy. I participated in a Student Ambassador program where I travelled with a group of American high school students to Greece, Italy, and France. I was overwhelmed and moved by the people, stories, and cultures I came across during my travels but it was not until I had a chance to reflect with one of my group leaders one evening during our stay in Assisi that Georgetown could provide me with an education and an environment to thrive as a Somali-American Muslim. Although many of my teachers and peers were perplexed with my ambition in attending Georgetown, I ultimately proved to them that Georgetown can be a place for someone like me. My time here on the hilltop has been difficult in attempting to disprove this idea that a Georgetown student looks a certain way or comes from a certain socio-economic background, but I believe that I have been presented with several opportunities as a proud GSP Hoya and student faith leader to challenge these misconceptions.
One moment that I believe encapsulates my Georgetown experience was when I was presented with an incredible opportunity to recite a few verses from the Holy Qu’ran on Gaston stage alongside several faith leaders before an audience that included the former Vice President of the United States. It was such a powerful and moving experience to bear witness to Georgetown’s commitment to Interreligious understanding and dialogue. “
