TYO Intern Alumni: Where are They Now?

Nawal Maalouf

I miss the children and their playfulness, the strength and spirit of the women, and the friendships I shared with my co-workers and volunteers. It's the people that make TYO the wonderful organization that it is.

From Brooklyn, NY Nawal taught Sports, TWG Fitness and Professional Competency at An-Najah University as an intern at TYO Nablus in the spring of 2012.

What was your favorite moment/story from your time with TYO? 

My favorite moment from TYO was celebrating Mother's Day with The Women's Group. Instead of our usual fitness class, we decided to celebrate the holiday by taking the women to the park. Everyone brought something to eat, and we played games, joked, and laughed. There wasn't a face without a smile that day. I'll never forget it.

What do you miss most about Nablus?

Definitely the people. I miss the children and their playfulness, the strength and spirit of the women, and the friendships I shared with my co-workers and volunteers. It's the people that make TYO the wonderful organization that it is.

What have you been up to after leaving Nablus and what are your plans for the future?

Currently, I am studying law at Columbia University. I still have a couple of more years until I get my degree, but the fields I am most interested in working in are international law and human rights. I was able to return to Palestine this summer for an internship with the Women's Centre for Legal Aid & Counselling, and I hope that I can return again after I graduate.

How do you think TYO affected you personally and professionally?

Personally, TYO had a great impact on my life. I met so many wonderful individuals and started relationships, which will always have a very special place in my heart.

Professionally, TYO is something that definitely stands out on my resume. It's always a great topic of conversation when networking, and others are very interested to hear about it. One of my law school acceptances even included a hand-written note saying "I can't wait to hear about your experience at TYO!"

Do you have any advice for anyone considering applying for a TYO internship?

Many westerners view the West Bank as a frightening or unsafe place. I found this to be a gross misconception. Of course, you should still keep safety in mind, but TYO is a very secure place, and I never felt like I was in any danger there or anywhere else in Nablus and other cities I visited. The people are very welcoming and hospitable, and I never felt like I was at risk.