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Welcome to our first official vodcast! In this premiere episode, hosts Ruth Kidane and Eeman Siddiqui (both Class of 2029) sit down with four graduating seniors representing diverse academic paths at Georgetown University-Qatar. Tashafee Masoodi (International History), Ahmed Ahmed (International Economics), Marianna Pereira de Souza (Culture and Politics), and Ali Nasir (International Politics) open up about their journeys at GU-Q, sharing candid stories, hard-earned wisdom, and insider perspectives on navigating university life. Whether you're a freshman just beginning your GU-Q adventure or part of our growing alumni community reflecting on your own experiences, this conversation offers valuable insights for every stage of the journey. For the best viewing experience, tune in on our YouTube channel. Recording credits: Malak Saleh (Class of 2029), Maedelline Joy O Padil (Class of 2029).

This episode examines the Hiwaraat conference series, launched by the GU-Q administration in Fall 2023. The official GU-Q website describes the series: "Launched in Fall 2023, the Hiwaraat Conference Series offers timely and topical conferences that draw together experts, practitioners, scholars, policymakers, and youth to discuss some of the most pressing topics of our time." Since its founding, Hiwaraat conferences have faced student criticism. Topics, programs, and speakers were all points of concern. By Fall 2025, in reaction to "Seeing Sudan: Politics Through Art," students raised significant criticisms about the series, voicing concerns about speakers, topics, and the administration's approach to dialogue. What happens when students choose to engage instead of boycott? To not walk out, but sit down? We explore what unfolded during these events and discuss pathways for meaningful student engagement in shaping campus conversations. Special thanks to the contributors to this episode: Zahra Babar, executive director of CIRS; Noon ElSharif (class of 2027); Prof. Magdalena Rostron; Prof. Lynda Iroulo; Ameer Sadi (class of 2028); Farkhunda Fazeylar (class of 2026); Ftaim Al-Qahtani (class of 2026); John Burog (class of 2025); Malak Elmoh (class of 2021); Neilla Uwera and Yasmin Abdul Nasser (class of 2027). This episode was narrated by Remas Alhawari and edited by Ibrahim Absar.

In this episode, Professor Nouf Al-Thani, Deputy Director of Learning and Outreach at Lusail Museum (Qatar Museums), tells the story of Qatar as a cultural diplomat. How did Qatar build an identity that incorporates cultural diplomacy as soft power? How does a nation establish a distinct identity on the international stage? Tune in to discover Qatar's story as told by a Qatari scholar. This interview was moderated by Ibrahim Absar (IECO '26) and Ariba Ashraf (Class of 2029), and narrated by Remas Alhawari (IPOL '26) and Ibrahim Absar (IECO '26).

Welcome back to GU-Q Speaks! In this special episode, we explore the inspiring journeys of two alumni who've returned to Georgetown University in Qatar as faculty members. Host Remas Alhawari (IPOL '26) sits down with Dr. Khalid Al-Jufairi (IPOL '09) and Dr. Maryam AlSada (IPOL '12) to discover how they transformed from curious students into accomplished scholars. Hear about their global academic careers, what drew them back to their alma mater, and the unique perspective they bring to teaching at GU-Q—a conversation about homecoming, academia, and the power of coming full circle.

A special collaboration between GUQ Speaks and the Hoya Welcome Week Coordinators! In this episode, host Maryam Al Ansari (Class of 2026) sits down with the dynamic duo behind Georgetown's Welcome Week planning: Panagiotis Dalgiannakis and Hassan Amin, both members of the Class of 2027. Discover what goes into coordinating Welcome Week events as Panos and Hassan share their vision for making the transition to GU-Q as smooth and exciting as possible, while giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the planning process. Whether you're an incoming student curious about what Welcome Week has in store or simply reminiscing about your first days at GU-Q, this episode offers great insights into the community-building efforts that make this campus special.

Join us for our second Arabic special episode featuring students from both public and private universities across Doha, Qatar. Despite being in a relatively small country, discover how student experiences vary dramatically between campuses, creating worlds of difference. Our guests include Nour Alseaf from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Jana Al Farra from University of Doha for Science and Technology, and Al Hanouf Al Shammari from the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University, this episode is hosted by Remas Alhawari from GU-Q (IPOL’26) Through authentic student voices, we explore the diverse landscape of university life in Qatar, diving into the unique challenges, opportunities, and daily experiences that shape each campus community. From international branch campuses to local institutions, this episode delves into undergraduate educational journeys. Let us know if you'd like more Arabic episodes or share your ideas for future topics you'd love to hear about! انضموا إلينا في حلقتنا الثانية باللغة العربية، حيث نستضيف طلبة من الجامعات الحكومية والخاصة في الدوحة، قطر. رغم صغر حجم البلد نسبياً، ستكتشفون كيف تتباين تجارب الطلبة بشكل جذري بين الأحرام الجامعية المختلفة، لتخلق عوالم متنوعة تماماً. نستضيف في هذه الحلقة كلاً من نور آل سيف من جامعة كارنيجي ميلون في قطر، وجنى الفرا من جامعة الدوحة للعلوم والتكنولوجيا، والهنوف الشمري من كلية الصيدلة بجامعة قطر، وتقدم الحلقة ريماس الحوري من جامعة جورجتاون في قطر (IPOL'26). من خلال الأصوات الطلابية التي تنبع من وحي التجربة، نستكشف المشهد الثري للحياة الجامعية في قطر ونتعمق في التحديات والفرص والتجارب اليومية التي تميز كل مجتمع جامعي على حدة. شاركونا آراءكم حول رغبتكم في المزيد من الحلقات العربية أو اقترحوا علينا مواضيع جديدة تودون الاستماع إليها!

As part of our ongoing summer series, we’re handing the mic to the professors and the students. In this episode, Dr. Dennis McCornac, Dr. Akintunde Akinade, Dr. James Olsen, Dr. Santaiago Garcia Couto, and Dr. Karine Walther read their own RateMyProfessor reviews out loud, unfiltered. Some are kind, others are brutal, and a few are just plain weird. Through it all, they reflect on what it means to teach, to be seen (and sometimes misunderstood), and how feedback even when anonymous shapes the classroom experience. It’s candid, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt. We hope you enjoyed this episode. Please leave us your recommendations for future episodes, we take them seriously!

As part of our summer series, we're excited to bring you monthly episodes exploring student experiences from around the globe. This month, we dive into the heart of Washington, D.C., through the eyes of Georgetown University Qatar's Class of 2026 students who spent their fall 2024 semester studying abroad at the main campus. Join us as Jay Pacer (International Politics), Tashafee Masoodi (International History), Farkhunda Fazelyar (Culture and Politics), and Mariaa Sorokina (International Economics) sit down to share their unforgettable tales from their exchange semester in Washington, D.C. What makes this conversation even more special is that the Class of 2026 represents a milestone, the largest cohort to participate in the exchange program, with over 50 students making the journey to D.C. Whether you're weighing your study abroad options, preparing for your own adventure, or simply interested in a fun listen about what being a student is like in the USA, this episode offers valuable insights into what awaits you on the Georgetown main campus. From academic challenges to cultural discoveries, our guests paint a vivid picture of student life in Washington, D.C. Special thanks to Elaha Sadeq for her editing work on this episode.

As commencement approaches and the Class of 2025 counts down to their graduation day, we're excited to continue our annual tradition of featuring seniors on our podcast. This year, we collaborate with the Senior Class Committee representing the four majors at GU-Q: Zahra Saboorzadeh (IECO), Maytha Al-Shrame (IPOL), Natali Fanik (IHIST), and John Carlos Burog (CULP). Tune in to hear these accomplished seniors answer your thoughtful questions, share valuable advice for the Class of 2029, and reveal entertaining senior confessions featured from our Instagram page. We say goodbye to our graduating seniors and extend our warmest wishes for success in all their future endeavors.

In the aftermath of the most contentious SGA amendment in recent memory, this episode revisits the referendum that ultimately led to the amendment’s reversal. But was that the real victory? Join Ibrahim Absar and Kim Chen in an unfiltered conversation recorded shortly after the referendum results were released. They unpack not just the vote itself, but the deeper issues of student representation, communication failures, and the disconnect between SGA and the student body. Why did this amendment provoke such strong reactions? Why was the referendum the only response? And what does the silence that followed reveal about student politics at GU-Q? Now, with a newly elected SGA taking office, this conversation matters more than ever. This isn’t just a recap. It’s a call to reflect.

In this unexpected and fast-tracked episode, we respond to an urgent request from the SGA to help answer student-submitted questions that couldn't be addressed during the presidential debate held during lunch hour on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025. Recorded the very same day and released just hours before polls open, this special episode dives deep into the manifestos of the four presidential candidates. Hosted by Nagla Abdelhady, the 2024–2025 SGA President (Class of '25), the episode features insightful responses to your questions by the candidates vying for the presidency: Kayan H. Al-Mousawi (Class of '26), Ali Nasser (Class of '26), Yousef Abdelhady (Class of '28), and Ahmed Noeman (Class of '27). Tune in for the final pitches that could shape the future of student leadership. Make sure to cast your vote—and don’t forget to follow us for more episodes!

Eid Mubarak, everyone! We present this episode as a Eid special, and we hope you enjoy it! Join us in our conversation about diverse Eid experiences from around the globe, spanning from the US to Bangladesh, with four GU-Q students: Ranneme Abu-Hajar (Class of '27), Adeena Hossain (Class of '27), Shyryn Nurlybek (Class of '27), with our host Shahd El-Said (Class of '26). During this conversation, we delve deeper into the differences and similarities between each country in celebrating Eid. It's a great way for us to bond as a Muslim community and exchange experiences!

This episode comes at a pivotal moment in GU-Q's history, marking the first time a call for a referendum has been made. On March 18, 2025, the student body received an email from the Student Government Association (SGA) informing them of new constitutional amendments. These amendments sparked division among students, further fueled by growing hostility toward the SGA. What does this mean for our democracy? This episode's questions were submitted by you through our Instagram page and are presented by Ali Nasir (Class of '26). Representing the student body is Noor Panah (Class of '28), while representing the SGA are President Nagla Abdelhady (Class of '25) and Public Relations Officer Yasmin Ahmed (Class of '28). You can review the revised constitution here.  Tune in to hear both perspectives in an open discussion with no interruptions, no sugarcoating, and most importantly, no hate speech.

Welcome to our first episode in Arabic, where we explore Education City as both a project and a mission to educate the Qatari youth since its establishment in 1997. This episode is brought to you by Moza Al-Hajri (IECO '26), Ahmed Al-Kuwari (CULP '23), and Leen Al-Thani (IPOL '28), who discuss what Education City means to them and whether it has fulfilled its promise of providing better education. Tune in and let us know what other topics you would like us to explore in Arabic! مرحبًا بكم في أولى حلقاتنا باللغة العربية، حيث اكتشف المدينة التعليمية كمشروع ورسالة تهدف إلى تثقيف الشباب القطري منذ تأسيسها في عام 1997.  تقدَّم لكم هذه الحلقة من قبل موزة الهاجري (IECO '26)، أحمد الكواري (CULP '23)، ولين آل ثاني (IPOL '28)، حيث يناقشون ما تعنيه المدينة التعليمية بالنسبة لهم وما إذا كانت قد أوفت بوعدها في تقديم تعليم أفضل.  استمتعوا بهذه الحلقة وأخبرونا عن المواضيع الأخرى التي ترغبون في أن نتطرق إليها باللغة العربية!

After the fall of the Assad regime's 54-year dictatorship, Syria begins the next chapter. Many questions have surfaced around the fall of the regime and how the Syrian state will rebuild and interact with Syrian society and foreign actors. Bayan Kayali (Class 26) discusses these questions with Professor Mehran Kamrava to understand a Political Scientist's reading of developments in Syria. As students of the School of Foreign Service at GU-Q, located in the midst of the region's turmoil, we believe it is our duty to critically analyze and reflect on its political developments. We hope this episode has allowed you to think critically and form your own perspective.