AQB Human Rights Alumna Completes her MA Studies in Turkey

My name is Renad Issa, I am from Hebron, Palestine, and I studied Human Rights and International Law at Al-Quds Bard College (AQB). I began my academic journey at AQB in 2016 and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2021. AQB provided an exceptional environment for critical thinking and learning, pushing me to challenge and re-evaluate preconceived notions and gain a more complex insight into the world.

During my time there, I had the opportunity to participate in an academic exchange program and study a semester abroad at the Sciences Po University in Paris, France. This exchange experience expanded my global perspective, allowing me to engage with different cultures and educational systems.

My undergraduate senior project focused on women's rights and the CEDAW convention in the Arab and Muslim world, particularly in the Middle East. Subsequently, I received the YTB scholarship from the Turkish government to pursue a Master's degree at Sakarya University's Middle East Institute (ORMER), specializing in Middle Eastern Studies. My experiences at AQB and ORMER taught me to step outside my comfort zone and analyze the politics and human rights in the Middle East and globally from diverse perspectives. The critical thinking skills and comprehensive education I received at AQB played a significant role in my success in securing a master's degree and excelling in research.

This year, I completed my Master's studies, with my thesis examining the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the lens of securitization theory. I received positive feedback from the MA board committee, who noted my successful integration of theory and case study. They encouraged me to apply for a master's thesis prize in Turkey and advised me to remain dedicated to my academic journey, with the goal of pursuing a PhD in the future.

• Human Rights