Mohammad Yaghi is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, studying in the Huntsman Program of International Studies and Business. In Spring 2026, he will be studying at the American University of Cairo, where he will focus on Arabic language, Middle Eastern politics, and regional economic policy. From Houston, Mohammad has deep interests in international…
Contact Ask Me About… My experience is unique because, as an Egyptian born in America, I had always been connected to my roots but through the lens of my parents’ perspective. Every 8 years, we’d visit Egypt, staying primarily in the village where my family is from. These visits were special but often limited to…
Contact Ask Me About… Starting with GRIP: Power Up Gambia, my first-ever summer internship was also my first time working in Africa. What made this experience unique was learning how to navigate a completely new culture while carrying out my first professional role. I was adapting to new work expectations, living in a rural setting,…
Contact Ask Me About… As someone with Egyptian ancestry, I have always dreamed of traveling to Egypt and learning more about where my family came from. My grandfather came from Egypt to the U.S. in the 1950s and I have heard countless stories about his journey and determination for a better future for himself and…
Contact Ask Me About… Studying abroad is undeniably life-changing, but it also brings moments that can be difficult to hear about or experience firsthand. I would like to share my answer to the question: “What is a situation that was emotionally taxing, yet ultimately changed me?” When I was in Cape Town, I witnessed the…
Contact Ask Me About… My Experience Abroad Traveling to Uganda and South Africa with PGDI was the perfect opportunity to combine both my academic and personal interests. We interviewed people from Jewish communities, which allowed me to explore deeper into my own culture, while understanding how Judaism looks different to people across the world. Uganda,…
Contact Ask Me About… My Experience Abroad Our experience in Cairo deeply connected with our academic and professional goals as students of International Relations and History. Seeing concepts from our coursework come to life—such as the wealth gap described in Connected in Cairo—made abstract discussions more tangible. For example, the stark contrast in the types…
Contact Ask Me About… My Experience Abroad There was not a single experience we had on this trip that did not align with the coursework and goals of the PGS. When applying for the seminar, I reflected on my passion for sustainability. I come from a small beach town in Massachusetts where I spend a…
Contact Ask Me About… My Experience Abroad As a freshman, I was interested in exploring different subject areas and expanding my academic and social horizons while fulfilling course requirements. This course allowed me to complete the Writing Seminar requirement in a meaningful way, as I’ve been wanting to travel to Cairo since I was young.…
Contact Ask Me About… “Out of placeness.” I was taking a class on migration in Africa and traveling with no previous experience with Africa. I had only traveled to places where Asians are common and aren’t a rarity, but here in Africa I saw the complete opposite. I got to experience, even more so than…