On July 26th, YES alumna Maha Thaher (YES 2005 - 2006, West Bank) coordinated with the YES Alumni Network in the West Bank to hold an Interfaith Dialogue Workshop at the AMIDEAST office in Ramallah. The workshop was designed for the students preparing to go on their YES exchange year soon.

Maha recently attended an the YES Alumni Interfaith Harmony Online Workshop, after which she was selected and attended the in-depth Interfaith Reach Out in Washington DC. As a professional in this field, with a master's degree in conflict resolution, Maha’s participation in the interfaith harmony workshops helped her grow professionally and her build on her academic and professional experiences. 

Maha’s experience and expertise allowed her to make the most out of her time at the YES alumni interfaith workshops, and then to adequately prepare the students for the diverse cultural and religious American landscape. Her workshop included sessions on how to be a good listener, how to respect others beliefs, and the difference between sympathy and empathy.

As YES alumna herself, Maha was able to link her academic and professional knowledge with her personal experience as a YES student. Maha was able to provide a unique perspective on living in a diverse community like the United States. The students, who will soon be living in the United States for a full school year, found the workshop enjoyable and beneficial.