Safa Matar

Initially learning English from watching Hollywood movies like Harry Potter, Safa Matar prefers to speak in Arabic, her mother tongue. Arabic allows her to express herself best. Born in Lebanon, Safa grew up mostly in there and the United States. She identifies first and foremost as a human, a belief she’s held since she was a child. More specifically, she can be categorized as a Middle Eastern, an American, a Muslim and a humanitarian. Although she’s lived in the U.S. for the past 10 years, Lebanon remains her home, no matter where she is. In her second semester, Safa continues to seek a Master’s degree in International Policy & Development. The international community at MIIS drove her here: flags everywhere, different languages, and people from somewhere else in the world. These factors produce an environment where everyone learns about other countries and cultures. Her desire to promote equality persuaded her to join Allies at MIIS, even though she has never noticed discrimination on campus. For Safa, an ally is someone who understands and responds to issues of social justice and inequity, acting as a doer instead of as a watcher. As someone who is dedicated to change, an ally should be courageous, aware, and humble. A passion for everyone to be treated as a human and live dignified lives drives Safa. In the long term, she intends to elevate those who lack resources, particularly by developing schools in areas with high illiteracy and poverty rates.