Intern Spotlight: Areej Abu Radwan

This is the third in a series of five individual profiles of our summer 2015 student interns. This summer, Learning Life’s social enterprise partner, Signia Surfaces, has five interns who are working on marketing, sales and educational content.  To learn more about interning with Learning Life or Signia Surfaces, email learninglife@letlearninglive.org.    

 

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Muscat, Oman.  My parents are of Palestinian origin, but lived in D.C. while my father pursued his education, then moved to Oman.

What is your current occupation?

I am a full-time undergraduate student majoring in business administration at George Mason University in northern Virginia.  I am also a part-time Seinfeld enthusiast and circus acrobat…I’m kidding about that last part, but I truly do like Seinfeld.  It’s my favorite television show.

Areej Abu RadwanWhat do you like to do in your free time?

Long walks on the beach….just joking, though I do really like taking trips to the beach!  I like to read, mainly classic books and anything that makes me reflect on life, like Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, and Catch-22.  I also write poetry, short stories and reflections.  I also follow current world events and like to study other cultures, especially Indian and African cultures.

 

What is the most beautiful place you have seen on Earth, and why is it so beautiful?

This is a difficult question to answer, as I have been to many a beautiful place, including Oman, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.  In America, Montreal, Canada has beautiful trails and mountains, a lot of wide open space and crisp, clear air.  Everything there is extremely picturesque.

Is there a particular life experience you have had that has shaped you as a person?  If so, what was it, and how has it shaped who you are?

Moving back to America at age 18 for my studies has had a profound influence on my character and outlook on life.  I learned to grow up quickly and how to handle responsibilities being on my own.  I made mistakes (and still do) but came out of it stronger.  As I like to say, experiences can either make or break a person, and I hope to always take the former path and make the most out of what is handed to me.

Why did you choose to intern with Signia Surfaces?

I chose to intern with Signia Surfaces because I was attracted to the creative way the company spreads knowledge to D.C. locals, using everyday surfaces.  (It’s really cool, trust me. You should check out our Facebook page!)

What are your career plans?

I hope to gain a job in a management role after I graduate. My plan in the long-term is to open up a nonprofit organization that helps assist, educate and empower women and youth in need in the Washington D.C. area.