Salam (Hello)! My name is Princess Ibtihaj, and I am from the Bronx, New York City. Growing up in the Bronx meant being surrounded by different cultures, languages, foods, and communities, and I think that is part of what made me so curious about people and the world outside of my own neighborhood. My family is from Bangladesh, so my Bangladeshi and Muslim identities have also shaped the way I think about culture, education, and belonging.
I am currently a student at Colby College in Maine, where much of my academic work focuses on education and the ways that institutions, culture, and society shape people's opportunities. Outside of class, I love dancing, reading, working out, exploring museums, and traveling. I have also spent a lot of time working with young people, from coaching wrestling to teaching middle school literature and computer science in Houston this past summer. Those experiences helped me realize how much I enjoy learning from children just as much as I enjoy teaching them.
This semester, I am studying abroad at the University of Cambridge in England. Being here has already pushed me into a completely different academic and cultural environment, and I am excited to explore Cambridge, other parts of the United Kingdom, and hopefully several other countries while I am abroad. I cannot wait to share what I learn, the places I visit, the people I meet, and even the moments when things do not go exactly as planned. I am especially excited to hear your questions and learn about your lives too!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by visiting www.gilmanscholarship.org.
