I like my job. I like my job a lot, in fact. Whenever else could I do research, meet those communities, and coordinate with people across six countries? I came to Jordan, expecting my job to be about social enterprise mapping and statistical evaluations of nonprofits in Amman, but what I got was even better. While my work consists of a lot of scouring the internet about domestic refugee policies in the MENA region, in moments where this data meets my education from conversations with people is what I believe to be the greatest virtue in my work. Sometimes my off-the-job learning can bring so much more depth and nuance into my work. Going into the “Refugees: Priorities vs. Reality” project, we had set up a timeline for everything–a comprehensive, smooth sailing plan. All the numbers added up and the plan was clear, but learning that political refugee projects were not permitted in Egypt brought us a step back in our preliminary research, as we had to pivot on to Libya instead. In another instance, we were calling a Tunisian social entrepreneur who expressed worries about the uncertainty of getting focus group interviews with Tunisian refugees–another hitch in the plan. He explained he had taught in Tunisian camps and never learned a single student’s name, but that was the culture there. They did not disclose personal information or thoughts on their circumstances, perhaps out of protection for themselves. This would mean major changes in our interview style.

While my PubPol 155: Intro to Public Policy class couldn’t have ever prepared me for this work, I feel I’ve already learned leaps and bounds about professional writing and the balance of office and fieldwork with ILearn. When the “Refugees: Priorities vs. Reality” project slows or is waiting for approval from our partner organizations, I can count on the Masahati or Thaki projects to have some reporting for me to do. My supervisor, Saif, has taught me so much from his enthusiasm. Listening to his excitement on the way to Soof Camp about how he loves to see the Soof people eager to work reminds me that his role of helping them find employment is larger than just a job. He is helping people self advocate.

The project I’m working on “Refugees: Priorities vs. Reality” is a work that aligns very closely with my values of efficacy and researching with both my head and heart. The project is a three-pronged case study across six countries in the MENA region with partner organizations American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF). We will be conducting focus group interviews and producing six deliverable reports and videos, comparing the economic and social aspirations of refugee youth with current refugee policy. This project will be presented in a regional closing event in Jordan that brings together decision-makers, stakeholders, and our collaborators to facilitate networking and showcase the results of the consolidated, regional report. While the timeline suggests the project will be completed by September at the latest, if I’ve learned anything from working so far, it’s that the plan doesn’t always run smoothly. We leave on August 10th, but I would love to keep offering my skills to this project until the very end.