This week our blog entry comes from Fatemeh Darabi, who was a participant at our Summer Institute last year. Fatemeh is originally from Tehran, in Iran. She recently completed an MA in Peace Studies from Eastern Mennonite University.
Well, finally I am here! First I say a warm Hello/Salam/Peace to all my Pathway friends. I missed you all, and I hope we get together soon. My SIIIRL 2009 experience has been one of the most important and meaningful experiences in my life that I will never forget. One of the reasons was the unique knowledge and thought of the Pathways team of and about my country, religion and culture – which is rare in the US indeed. That was the nice part for me which also helped me to connect better with the new environment. Another reason was the belief of the Pathways team that “small steps make big changes”. I really witnessed that point during my experience with Pathways and SIIIRL. I hope they continue their precious effort to make big changes in the hearts and minds of people, through their small but meaningful steps!!!
Good luck friends
I will write again, soon Ensh’Allah!
Fatemeh :- )
Fatemeh, thanks for your kind words and benevolent spirit. It was an honor to have you at the institute and your presence and active engagement played no small part in the institute’s success. Would you mind sharing a bit about the work you are doing now? And the ways it relates to our shared passions?
Fatemeh, I also enjoyed getting to know you during the brief time that I was at SIIIRL this summer. I appreciated so much your spirit of engagement, as well as honesty with the way you described your experience as an Iranian student in the US. I also believe that SIIIRL and the opportunity I had to meet you and others was a “small” step toward “big” change. I hope we meet again (inshallah), and I hope you are well!
Hi Fatimah,
I totally agree with your points. Pathways team is such a great and well organized team.Pathway is place for everyone that wants to make peace and learn more about different cultures.