Designed to address Morocco’s high youth unemployment rate, the three-year partnership of Amideast, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and its Moroccan counterpart, MCA Morocco, enabled Omar to learn how to problem solve, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts. He also gained significant insight into the security sector, delving into industry standards, safety practices, and emergency response processes.  

The HEI program not only supported his academic goals; it also enriched his personal and professional growth. He gained leadership skills, English proficiency, and valuable experience through internships and volunteering. He also had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he defied expectations and, in his words, “challenged norms,” by taking courses in photography, videography, and video editing. He traveled around the world, capturing images and interviewing media personalities with his camera and microphone.  

Before enrolling in the Pathway to Promise course, Azza Khalifa Abood Al Kaabi believed that she had a comprehensive understanding of teaching, but quickly realized she was mistaken as she took the course. 

Azza learned information and strategies that she feels have made her a better teacher. She learned about various teaching methods, how to engage students effectively, how to leverage technology in the classroom, and much more.  

Qayssar, who comes from Halabja City, has been a journalist for two decades. He is currently the director of Radio Dangi NEW, a community radio station for youth and women, and of NEW, an organization he founded to protect the environment and women’s rights.