Saba Rjoub YES ’17, attended the German Parliament as an intern through the International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) Program for Arab States that took place in September. She was selected along with 11 other participants from different Arab countries. The program aims to give young politically engaged people from Arabic-speaking countries deeper insight into the parliamentary system and the decision-making process in the Bundestag through lectures, discussion sessions, and a one-week internship in a parliamentary office.

During the seminars and workshops the participants gained knowledge of the parliamentary system in Germany and had the opportunity to discuss matters relating to colonialism, feminism, and the role of civil society organizations. Saba’s day-to-day responsibilities included helping with substantive research, meeting preparations, and processing citizens' inquiries. 

Through her internship Saba gained considerable experience related to the everyday tasks and duties of members of the German Parliament. The internship also served as an opportunity to develop and apply the skills and principles learned during the program. Saba accompanied a Member of the German Bundestag, (MdB) Marianne Schieder, through technical discussions and meetings of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) regional group, committee meetings, and parliamentary evenings.

MdB Marianne Schieder and her team provided Saba with many insights into the German political decision-making process. As someone who hopes to be a part of the female change-makers in the region, she considers IPS an invaluable experience and growth opportunity.

Saba reflected on her experiences on the IPS Program: "I hope to further add to and develop what I learned throughout this program. I am delighted to inform you that my four colleagues and myself, are in the process of planning further regional conferences that focus on strengthening the resilience of youth in the Eastern Mediterranean region: Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon through inclusive education and job opportunities. The YES program was a milestone. It allowed me to explore my interest in politics as I had the chance to attend the Government and Social Issues class in my American high school as well as the leadership council and the forensics team that helped in shaping my leadership skills."

Saba Rjoub (YES 2016-2017, West Bank, placed by FLAG in Lodi, WI)