ALO Newsletter
Twenty-Sixth Edition: May 12, 2017

Featured Member: Benjamin Lutz '17

Hello Everyone! ALO was the first club I joined during my freshman year and it has been my most favorite. Arabic and the Middle East are the cornerstones of my Elon education and my upcoming career in regional Middle Eastern Peace Diplomacy. I am so grateful for this organization to allow me to deepen my understanding of the region through the best cooking days and, this year, Model Arab League. I will miss this club the most as I move on to London next year to study a Masters in Middle East Security and Peace and Conflict Studies. This photo was taken from my very first study abroad experience in The Middle East in Chefchaeoun, Morocco. 

ALO Newsletter
Twenty-Fifth Edition: April 20, 2017

Featured Member: El-Khalil Osman '20

Greetings all! My name is El-Khalil Osman and I am a first-year student from Khartoum, Sudan (shown in the photo with the art). When I first found out that Elon University offers Arabic classes, I immediately jumped on the opportunity. Being in America, I am far away from my own culture and family and friends most of the time. I miss home and always try to find ways to fill that empty void. This was the main reason I decided to take Arabic. I wanted to be in an environment similar to the one I grew up in. Hearing others talking in Arabic class takes me right back home to Sudan and I love it. I also find great pleasure in learning about a language that is central to my family's history as I speak it in Khartoum. Being apart of ALO has been a phenomenal experience as well. Going to Model Arab League was a phenomenal experience as I was able to further explore the region I live in. Also, I have been able to meet so many people who love the same culture that I love. I am excited for my future both here at Elon and within the ALO!!!

ALO Newsletter
Twenty-Fourth Edition: March 28, 2017

Featured Member: Kinsley Cuen '20

Hey everyone! My name is Kinsley Cuen and I am a first-year from Atlanta, GA. When I got to Elon, I knew I didn't want to continue with Spanish and was looking to take a relevant and more unknown language to myself. Although I was originally hoping to take Russian, I heard through multiple friends that the Arabic classes and events here were amazing and I decided to sign up for a class! As I hope to pursue a minor in Middle Eastern Studies, learning Arabic and being able to participate in ALO has offered me incredible insights into Middle Eastern culture and given me a greater understanding of the often misinterpreted narrative that surrounds the Middle East. I hope to one day study abroad in Jordan and continue to be an active member of ALO. I cannot wait to see what opportunities the club and Arabic will continue to bring me over my remaining years at Elon and beyond!

ALO Newsletter
Twenty-Third Edition: February 6, 2017

Featured Member: Ashley Jutras '20

Hey everyone! My name is Ashley Jutras and I am a current first-year from a small town in Maine. For much of my childhood, I had numerous close friends who were Muslim, and as a result, my interest in Middle Eastern culture and religion sparked at a young age. Currently, I am a double major in Human Services and Public Health, with a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. I hope to spend a semester abroad in Jordan within the next couple of years and I look forward to all I will learn from that experience. Long-term, I am looking towards a career path in refugee resettlement. Overall, I'm excited to continue learning more about Islam, strengthen my Arabic skills, and meet people through ALO and studying abroad!