Introducing the Desert Hoya Storytellers for Fall 2025: What have they Discovered About Themselves at Georgetown University in Qatar?
On our campus in Education City, in the heart of Doha, students engage in cultural exchange, explore research opportunities, and experience transformative programs. They reflect on their growth and gain insights into identity, community, and purpose.
This semester, we have storytellers from 8 countries who will represent the voices of our students in their blog posts on the website and content on the Desert Hoya Instagram page. Follow along to see what discoveries they have made and will keep making about themselves and GU-Q.
About the Desert Hoya Storytellers
The Desert Hoya Storytellers play a pivotal role in showcasing life at GU-Q. Their mission is to highlight the university’s academic rigor, dynamic extracurricular opportunities, and the rich cultural tapestry of its community. Through blogs and social media content, these ten students will foster a sense of belonging and inspire prospective Hoyas to envision their own Georgetown journey. By sharing their stories, they illuminate what it truly means to be a Desert Hoya.
Meet the Fall 2025 Desert Hoya Storytellers
Name: Abdrakman Serrikkali (GU-Q’28)
Hometown: Semey, Kazakhstan
Major: Culture and Politics, minor in Arabic
Georgetown enabled me to discover the value of multiculturalism: how dialogue and debate foster an inclusive society. I discovered the exposure to an environment of a diverse group of people, and I realized just how vast our world is, both in ethnicity and ideas. The values Georgetown has embedded in me now guide me in the direction of a fulfilling undergraduate experience, and with that, it continues to redefine my understanding of how to live.
Name: Carl Jambo (GU-Q’28)
Hometown: Harare, Zimbabwe
Major: International Economics
Georgetown has helped me discover the importance of reflection. One of our values is Contemplation In Action, and it serves as a reminder to evaluate where you are and where you are headed. I believe this process of reflection has been the necessary catalyst towards my growth because the introspection process serves as a reminder for me to remain focused on the important professional and academic experiences that guide me towards attaining my purpose and aspirations.
Name: Hassan Amin (GU-Q’27)
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
Major: International Economics, minor in Mathematics
At Georgetown, I discovered a version of myself I didn’t know existed, someone far more capable and resilient than I’d imagined. This place didn’t just challenge my limits; it shattered them entirely, revealing strengths I never knew I possessed. Through countless opportunities that stretched me academically, personally, and professionally, I’ve learned that my potential isn’t fixed; it expands with every obstacle I overcome. Georgetown gave me something invaluable: an unshakeable belief in my own capacity to rise to any challenge.
Name: Jay Pacer (GU-Q’26)
Hometown: Baguio, Philippines
Major: International Politics, minor in International Law
Georgetown allowed me to see the world through different lenses other than my own upbringing. The most important lessons I learned came not just from the classrooms but from the cities I explored, the people I encountered, and the values I carried with me. Deep down, Georgetown gave me a chance to be more human. I learned that just like the rest of the world, I too am still becoming, and this place taught me to embrace that.
Name: Jennet Soltanova (GU-Q’29)
Hometown: Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan
Major: International Economics, minor in Arabic
At Georgetown University in Qatar, I learned how a community can feel like home, even thousands of miles away. Being part of a diverse and supportive environment has taught me the value of connection, collaboration, and shared experiences. Hoya Saxa!
Name: Lovie Francia (GU-Q’29)
Hometown: Manila, Philippines
Major: International Politics
I’ve always been an avid reader and writer with a passion for the humanities and diplomacy. When I am in Georgetown, I feel as if there are infinite doors in front of me – behind them are plenty of opportunities. GU-Q values holistic learning, and being a Hoya helps me explore a variety of pathways, such as arts, diplomacy, economics, and sciences. I hope that more people will have the same meaningful education and student life as we have here.
Name: Radiyah Ahmed (GU-Q’28)
Hometown: Bangladesh
Major: International Politics
Georgetown has been more than a university to me, but rather a place of constant discovery. Through its community and the countless opportunities it offers, I’ve learned not only about the world but also about myself. Our mottos such as “people for others,” “community in diversity,” and “cura personalis” are values we genuinely learn to embody, shaping each of us in subtle yet lasting ways – and that harmony of challenge and care is something I’ll always be grateful for.
Name: Tony Cirhulwire (GU-Q’29)
Hometown: Gasabo, Rwanda
Major: Science, Technology, and International Relations, minor in Economics
What I’ve discovered at GU-Q isn’t just knowledge but the people who’ve changed how I see the world and myself. Every person carries a story worth learning from. Somewhere between shared meals, games, and late-night talks, I found myself becoming more open, more understanding, and more human, and that’s the kind of education that stays with you.
Name: Zarrish Ahmed (GU-Q’26)
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
Major: International Politics, Certificate in South Asian Studies
At Georgetown, I found the depth of my passion for serving the people in my country. I always had that ambition, but Georgetown made it more realistic by giving me the knowledge, skills, and connections required to work in public service. Simply, Georgetown made me understand how to do what I want to do. Hoya Saxa!
Name: Dania Muhsen (GU-Q’28)
Hometown: Palestine
Major: Culture and Politics, minor in History
I believe that GU-Q has made me see that stories are what make a community feel alive and connected. Here, every student brings a unique background, culture, and journey, and I think that deserves to be seen and celebrated. For me, storytelling is about more than just posting or writing something down, but it’s about capturing those small, real moments that show who we are as Hoyas, and how our experiences come together to shape the campus we call home.
“The posts and comments on this blog are the views and opinions of the author(s). Posts and comments are the sole responsibility of the authors. They do not represent the views, opinions or policies of the University.”