Meet Our Desert Hoya Storytellers and What are They Looking Forward to This Year?
Spring 2026 brings a new cohort of Desert Hoya Storytellers as the semester goes into full swing.
This semester, this spectacular group of 15 students from 11 countries will write, document and share what makes being a Georgetown student in Qatar special. Through their stories, they’ll offer an honest look into life at GU-Q, shaped by curiosity, community, and global perspectives.
Follow along and look out for their stories on Instagram.
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.
Name: Daphne Soriano (GU-Q’28)
Major: Culture and Politics
Home Country: The Philippines
I am interested in exploring themes of gender and labor migration in my research. This year, I am looking forward to training for a half marathon, done in between my favorite pastime of long walks in Oxygen Park and writing poetry.
Name: Itiafa Ayeni (GU-Q’29)
Major: International Politics
Home Country: Nigeria
Prior to coming to Doha, I wished that there were more experiences shared from African students from GU-Q. Hence, I am looking forward to offering my perspectives as an international student from Nigeria to prospective students through Desert Hoya this year.
Name: Sazid Hasan (GU-Q’29)
Major: International Economics
Home Country: Bangladesh
I am a first-year student endlessly curious about philosophy, geography and power dynamics. I wait for weekends to enjoy squash with my friends and a full belly of biriyani. This year, I am looking forward to figuring out “what I want to be” to make it easier for me to decide “how I want to do that.”
Name: Sama Alissa (GU-Q’27)
Major: Culture and Politics and a Minor in History
Home Country: Jordan and Palestine
I just returned from a study abroad semester in Florence, Italy at Villa Le Balze. I especially enjoy art history so museums were definitely my go-to places to explore during her time in Europe. This year, I am looking forward to combining my academic experiences to start research for my honors thesis.
Name: Lovie Francia (GU-Q’29)
Major: International Politics
Home Country: The Philippines
My last semester as a Desert Hoya crystallized my passion for storytelling and community outreach. Hence, I’m looking forward to collaborating with more people, unleashing my creativity, and, overall, just showing the authenticity of a Hoya.
Name: Hassan Amin (GU-Q ’27)
Major: International Economics a minor in Mathematics
Home Country: Pakistan
I am passionate about innovation ecosystems and the intersection of tech and policy. I also love digital design and playing snooker during my downtime. This year, I am excited to help prospective students see what makes the GU-Q community so unique.
Name: Aras Karlidag (GU-Q’26)
Major: International Politics
Home Country: Türkiye
When I applied to GU-Q four years ago, I could find minimal information about the campus culture as well as academic and student life. Therefore, through Desert Hoya, I look forward to showcasing our small, tight-knit, yet high-achieving campus to large crowds. As I wrap up my final year at Georgetown, I pursue an honors thesis on the Eastern Mediterranean conflict, focusing on the impacts of my country’s exclusion.
Name: Anna Lemma (GU-Q‘29)
Major: International Economics
Home Country: Ethiopia
Academically, I’m interested in economics and mathematics, and outside the classroom I enjoy creative writing, good jazz, and a glass of pineapple juice. With these sets of skills and interests, I am looking forward to learning new things and the opportunities that come my way this year.
Name: Zarrish Ahmed (GU-Q’26)
Major: International Politics with an independent Certificate in South Asian Studies
Home Country: Pakistan
I am eager to make my final semester at GU-Q truly memorable as I prepare to embark on the next exciting chapter of my life as a Schwartzman Scholar.
Name: Jennet Soltanova (GU-Q’29)
Major: Culture & Politics
Home Country: Turkmenistan
I plan to major in Culture & Politics with a concentration in media and a minor in Arabic. This semester, I’m especially excited to further develop my Arabic language skills and strengthen my media abilities through hands-on experiences and creative projects within the Desert Hoya Program. I’m passionate about filming, communication, storytelling, and I hope to use these interests to engage with the community. I’m also looking forward to connecting with prospective students and showing them how Georgetown can truly feel like a welcoming home.
Name: Hoang Ho (GU-Q’29)
Major: Science, Technology, and International Affairs
Home Country: Vietnam
This year, I look forward to learning new foreign languages and deepening my understanding of religion, politics, and social issues. But what I am most excited about is meeting new people, as I want to learn more about the world around me from new perspectives and experiences.
Name: Aisha Al-Emadi (GU-Q’28)
Major: International Politics
Home Country: Qatar
This year, I’m looking forward to bringing a Qatari lens to the Desert Hoya Storytellers Program. When I was applying to GU-Q, I was very curious about how the Qatari students fit into the larger Georgetown puzzle, and being able to share my own perspective feels both exciting and meaningful. In such a diverse institution, our stories not only reflect our identities, they also shape how we view, understand and relate to one another. I’m mostly excited to curate videos that reflect life as a Hoya, including the quiet moments in the desks of the library to the opportunities we’re given as GU-Q students beyond the classroom. Through writing, I have been able to find the path back to the voice within my mind and I’d love to share that inner dialogue with the Desert Hoya audience, creating a shared lens where narratives meet, overlap and reflect who we’re becoming as a collective.
Name: Alex Bonjoc (GU-Q’27)
Major: International Politics and a Minor in Philosophy
Home Country: The Philippines
I enjoy watching sitcoms and movies with my friends and would love to read your Letterboxd reviews about any film! I’m excited to serve as a storyteller this semester and share my Hoya experience with everyone and I hope y’all will enjoy our content!
Name: Tahaniah Mohammed (GU-Q’28)
Major: International Politics
Home Country: Bangladesh
I am particularly interested in justice and representation in the Global South. Beyond academics, I enjoy debating and volunteering! This year, I am looking forward to the very interesting classes I am taking and producing some thoughtful works!
Name: Honore Mugiraneza (GU-Q’29)
Major: International Economics
Home Country: Rwanda
Hi everyone! My name is Honore Mugiraneza, I’m a freshman from Rwanda. This year, I’m looking forward to challenging myself in every possible way, becoming more consistent in my interests and commitments, and managing my time more effectively. I am also excited for good discussions in my classes, to enjoy being challenged and to commit even more to lifelong learning.