Sunday, March 24 was a day full of excitement, energy, and enthusiasm for Jordanian YES alumni. 77 YES alumni and five current YES Abroad students came together for a Ramadan iftar. It was a night full of games, laughter, belonging, and community. Three staff from the U.S. Embassy in Jordan also attended the event: Stefani Altman-Winans, Counselor for Public Affairs, Rawan Mloukhieh, Public Engagement Specialist, and Diala Jarrar, Alumni Coordinator.

The event revolved around playing games and sharing YES experiences and impact. The oldest alumni attending were from the 2008-2009 program year, and the youngest were from the most recent 2022-2023 cohort. The night started with a U.S. culture and YES-themed bingo game. The game included topics such as placement state, whether you had a double placement, whether you tried Taco Bell, and more. Then, the alumni broke their fast with a delicious buffet-style dinner followed by a trivia game. The whole room was full of laughter and excitement.

Leanne Zahran ’20 said, “The YES iftar was an opportunity to reunite with our peers. The YES alumni community embodies a genuine sense of a kinship akin to a close-knit family.”

Leanne Zahran (YES 2019-2020, Jordan, placed by AFS-USA in Mason, OH)