Traveler Bio

Salaam! Hello! My name is Zahyyeh Abu-Rubieh (pronounced Za-he-ya), but you can also call me Z. I am 21 years old, a student at Cornell University in upstate New York, and I am studying biology and Arabic. I am originally from Boston, Massachusetts, so I am a very big Patriots and Celtics fan. I also love to bake and enjoy trying new recipes, but my favorite thing to bake is a classic chocolate chip cookie.

At school, I take a mix of classes ranging from general biology to Middle Eastern history. I am currently earning a minor in Arabic and love practicing Arabic any time I can. I went to Jordan in the spring of my junior year in order to practice my Arabic in a more immersive way. I got the chance to work on my Arabic proficiency and also got to try delicious, new foods, meet local Jordanians, and learn a lot about the beauty of Jordanian culture and customs. I am super excited to share all of my experiences with you guys and see you all progress throughout the school year!

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 clicking here!