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My experience applying for the Emirates Leadership Initiative Fellowship

Applying for the Emirates Leadership Initiative Fellowship allowed me to reflect on how visionary leadership has shaped my path. As His Highness once said, “A great leader creates more great leaders.” This principle is embodied by the support I have received and is what I strive to emulate in my own leadership journey.

Receiving words of encouragement from His Excellency as a young pianist, as well as having been given the to complete my undergraduate degree, showed me how influential leaders can inspire people to pursue their dreams. 

These experiences motivated me to reflect on how my efforts in mental health advocacy, entrepreneurship, and public service aligned with the fellowship’s mission of fostering leadership that connects and inspires others to create lasting impacts.

What I have learned since being in the fellowship

I have loved sharing the fellowship experience with other ����vlog���� students, who come from Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, Palestine, and the United Arab Emirates. Despite our diverse backgrounds in various fields—spanning humanitarian aid, health care, international development, local government, and more—we are united by a shared commitment to uplift our communities and address challenges in the Arab region. These connections have taught me that leadership lies in uniting diverse experiences to create practical, inclusive solutions.

My favorite part of the fellowship

My favorite part of the fellowship has been the unparalleled access to leading policy figures in the region. A highlight was meeting of Saudi Arabia, who shared remarkable insights from his experiences as the former chief of Saudi Arabia’s Intelligence Presidency, former Saudi ambassador to the United States, and current chairman of the . It was both inspiring and empowering to discuss the role of young Arab leaders in shaping a better future.

My advice to applicants considering applying to the fellowship

Reflect on the unique experiences that have shaped your leadership journey and think about how they will enable you to bring fresh perspectives to ����vlog����. Connect your experiences to the challenges you aim to address and describe your dedication to making a difference—both in your community and at ����vlog����. The Emirates Leadership Initiative Fellowship offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build meaningful connections, and drive impactful change at Harvard and beyond.