Dr. John Agresto for the Third Eye: "One of your pieces inspired me to write an article of my own."

Dr. John Agresto, the former
AUI-S provost. Photo courtesy of google

After I shared my MEPI experience in a series memoirs in the Third Eye, Dr. John Agresto, the former provost of the AUI-S, was inspired by my U.S memoir and wrote his own article quoting several words of it.

 The Third Eye will publish Dr. John's article with great honor. The Third Eye is always looking forward to hearing from the great people like Dr. John. We, on behalf of the Third Eye, thank Dr. John in deep of our heart for his consideration about us, the AUI-S students. Dr. John left AUI-S with a spirit that will never let any of the AUI-S members forget him.

It is worth mentioning that Dr. John has sent his best regards and wishes  for all the AUI-S students. On behalf of the AUI-S students, the Third Eye is so grateful toward all the kind words and support support that Dr. John has provided AUI-S so far. We are really looking forward to meeting Dr. John at AUI-S again.  

Below is the e-mail  Dr. John has sent to the Third Eye.

Welcome back for the New 2011-2012 Academic Year!

by The Third Eye

The Third Eye is pleased to warmly congratulate all the AUI-S students and faculty staff members for starting a new academic year. We hope you all nothing, but best of luck with your classes and all the other activities.

We hope that the 2011-2012 academic year will be the best time for all of you to turn your dreams into reality.

The Third Eye has warm congratulations for  the new students who just enrolled to AUI-S. We wish you best of the best.

Along with the support of the students, faculty and administration, the Third Eye is pleased to start its activities to help create the best environment at AUI-S where all its members feel nothing, but great.

Welcome back for the new academic year!

My U.S. Memoir: In the Capitol Hill-Last Part

by Mahdi Mala Abdullah

Mahdi Murad is talking about
 "Life back home (Iraq)"in the
 Capitol Hill.

Capitol Hill was another place where I turned one of my best dreams into reality. The building of the Capitol Hill was a place where I could only have observed in the news and movies before. I have never thought to get a day when I could walk into that building ever. However, as it has been said, ‘Dreams never die,’ I could be within that building during my trip to the U.S. I could not only visit into that building, but also stood on my feet in front of the large number of people and outline life in Iraq. July 12^th, 2011, was a day when I explained several economical, political, and educational issues that were facing my people around all the Iraqi provinces. 

My US Memoir-Life in Georgetown- Fifth Part

by Mahdi Mala Abdullah

MEPI Georgetowners gather together
for a group picture at the Georgetown
University

Sunday June 26, 2011, was the day that I had already assigned as one of the luckiest day in my life for it was the day when I walked into the Georgetown University, one of the most beautiful and prestigious learning institution ever. From the moment I was nominated for the MEPI and was assigned to be a MEPI Georgetwoner, I googled the Georgetwon campus uncountable times almost every day. I tasted my life as a college student within the Georgetown. The Georgetown University proved how nice being a college student was. I was convinced that I got enough about what leadership skills were and how one could apply them to his or her society. Then, I bit my fare well to the Georgetown University and my friends there. The Georgetown University taught me what role I should play to change my community for a better one. The various academic activities and lectures that I attended at the Georgetown University helped me to realize how valuable being a youth and a college student was.

My U.S. Memoir: The Best Time of My Trip- Fourth Part

by Mahdi Mala Abdullah

My host family, Khalifa, and I in Wausua

Once I went through the MEPI schedule and observed almost all the activities that we were about to perform very enthusiastically. Nothing made me as much energetic as the date that was assigned to go and live with the American families. I was gasped when I read it. I was so positive for I knew it was going to be an amazing experience. At the same time, I was under the pressure of several cultural shocks that I expected to experience. I thought to do several things to keep the wonderful time that I spent in Wausua for the great memories that I recorded there. I also thought an open and thanks letter for my lovely host family would be the best source to keep that memoir recorded. Thus, I would love to thank Dwight and Sarah, my lovely parents, and Mac, Nic, Toney, and small Joe, my wonderful brothers, for the great hospitality they provided me.

My U.S. Memoir: I tasted the United States and its Society-Third Part

by Mahdi Mala Abdulla

MEPIs and their host families gather to gether
for a group picture on the farewell day in Wausua

It was February 17^th, 2011 when I was nominated for the MEPI. I was in Barcelona on that day attending the GSMA Conference, The World Wide Mobile Conference, based on the Department of the State. I was so excited about that and couldn’t be happier. From that time until I arrived to the United States on June 22nd, 2011, I asked hundreds of questions from several people, read several articles and watched several movies to gain some knowledge about the American society before I got there. I had several questions that I didn’t have answer for at that time. So, I threw several questions such as, how should I act, where should I go, where should I never go in the United States to several people whom I expected that had answers for my questions. I derived all these questions from the eyes of media and the movies like the American Pie. The answers that I got for these questions were almost exactly the same as what the media and these types of movies said. The words, “Americans are cold and unfriendly,” and “America is a dangerous society,” were the words that always completed the answers for my questions. However, what was the outcome of these answers? How much those people were right about the American society?

The Second Part of My U.S. Memoir: MEPI Georgetowners as a Unique Family

MEPI Georgetwoners attending a lecture

by Mahdi Mala Abdullah
 By being a participant in the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) in 2011, I feel like to be the luckiest man in the world for it was the most experienced program ever. From June 22 to July 26^th, 2011, only about a month and half, MEPI provides me a chance to get my own homes from the United States and several countries in the Middle East and North Africa. It helps me and all its participants  to understand what is going on in each of these countries. It offers me a chance to recognize the customs and cultures of several countries where the participants come from. Regardless of the academic and leadership skills that I learn from MEPI, I feel like to have my real family in several countries from now on.