My name is Samer Hjouj, and I am a senior at The University of North Carolina majoring in Global Studies and Political Science with a minor in Arabic. Locally, I am from New Bern, a small town in eastern North Carolina where I have resided for over 5 years. However, my life before then was considerable different.
I was born in the Holy city of Jerusalem, a city that is constantly fought over and plagued by war. I grew up in a refugee camp (Al-Fawwar) near the southern hills of Hebron. My early life was vastly different from my experiences here in the US. We were completely dependent on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provided us with simple housing and weekly rations. In addition, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go to a UN school (seen below: Fawwar Basic Boys School), as the UN has still not reached all refugee camps. There was never a dull moment during my time in Palestine, for the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) maintained a base on the edge of the camp. There were many discouraging instances and some encounters with the IDF, but many more blissful moments which gave me hope. I was taught from a very early age that education would be the only factor in my life that could get me out of this situation, and so I persisted (unlike many of my classmates who found jobs before completing high school).
My life in the US has been a blessed one, to say the least. I had discovered a whole new world, with a different language, religion, culture, and social life. Knowing that education was still key, I quickly learned the English language and made it to a top university.
Although it is a hassle to travel on my Palestinian passport, I have made several trips back to visit family and friends. In addition, I took the opportunity to study abroad in Egypt for 6 months just after the revolution and witnessed history as it led to the first democratically elected president. As a native Arabic speaker, I found it very easy to adjust to life in Egypt. Egyptian culture and social norms are very similar to the ones I grew up with. In addition to Egypt, I made a trip to Ethiopia this past spring and immersed myself in a culture and language I had never experienced before.
My time outside of the US, especially my upbringing in the camp, has allowed me to see the world from a different perspective. This is not limited to a political perspective, but to everyday life. My glass is never half empty, but always half full. I enjoy studying other cultures and languages, as I believe that our understanding of ourselves and others allows us to bridge the gaps and create a more accepting environment for all.