Showing 20 “Academics” posts
Zarrish Ahmed is a senior at Georgetown University in Qatar majoring in International Politics with an independent Certificate in South Asian Studies. She reflects on how studying South Asian history reshaped her understanding of identity, power, and education.
Ever since my first semester at GU-Q, I’ve been looking forward to going abroad. Not because I couldn’t wait to get away from GU-Q, but because I heard from upperclassmen how their study abroad experiences changed them, and I’ve always felt a longing for that feeling that they described. As my junior year was approaching, it started becoming a reality. I filled out the applications, packed my room, and left Doha knowing that I would not return for another 8 months.
After 14 weeks of classes, midterms, and assignments, we are beginning to wind down the Spring 2025 semester. I started this semester with unbridled enthusiasm, especially in choosing classes aligned with my major. Now, 14 weeks later, I am left with a sense of accomplishment and perhaps some subdued excitement.
When I first arrived at GU-Q, there was one academic requirement I was secretly dreading: Language Proficiency. Having grown up a native speaker of Arabic and having studied it for 12 years, it was the natural choice for me to pursue my proficiency in Arabic. Up until that point, Arabic classes had always felt like a mere checkbox on my educational to-do list. The thought of enduring this once more in university was less than appealing.
Travel has always been one of the most powerful ways to learn about history, about the world, and about ourselves. There’s something deeply transformative about stepping into a place shaped by a history different from our own, immersing ourselves in its culture, and seeing firsthand the realities we’ve only encountered in books or lectures. That is why I have come to love traveling, not just as a hobby, but as a way to grow.
Riwaj Khatiwada (SFS’25), a senior at Georgetown University in Qatar has forged a unique path for himself during his undergraduate career. Graduating in May 2025, his journey has been shaped by analytical rigor, curiosity, and a deep interest in the intersection of International Economics (IECO) and Math: his major and minor.
After a year and a half of attending University, I thought I finally understood what it meant to be a Georgetown Student, to study politics and strive for academic excellence in a challenging environment. While those things stand true, there are many things left to be desired.
Becoming a Hoya: Why We Chose Georgetown University in Qatar
How was your summer? I still can’t believe that fall semester has begun and I am a junior! It’s been two years of writing and talking to you all and now I am entering the second chapter of being a student at Georgetown. Summer is every university student’s favorite time! It is an opportunity to reunite with family and friends, a space to research and intern, and most importantly travel.
It's been a while since we last connected, and I must admit, I've missed sharing my experiences with you. The past semester has been a whirlwind of adventures, both on and off campus. As I sit here reflecting on the memories, I can't help but wonder how you've been and what incredible stories you might have to share.
