2025 Arab America Spring Interns

2025 Spring Interns

Mehdi El Merini

Contributing Writer and Senior Intern

Mehdi El Merini is a recent graduate in International Studies from the University of Colorado, with a focus on Middle East politics and global communications. Hailing from Rabat Morocco, Mehdi aims to put his unique skills and knowledge to good use in Washington, D.C. to help solve global conflicts and bridge gaps between nations and cultures. In this tumultuous world we currently live in, Mehdi’s passion for helping those in need and spreading essential information regarding the various conflicts and crises we currently face, makes him feel right at home in Arab America.

Nissrine Bedda

Contributing Writer and Senior Intern

Nissrine Bedda is an aspiring political scientist currently completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. With a rich Moroccan and Mexican heritage, her writing explores the intersection of Latin and Arab cultures in the arts, covering topics such as flamenco, Arabic music, and film. She also examines how Western society is becoming more receptive to Arab culture and delves into the surprising similarities between Arabs and Latinos, highlighting the shared connections that often go overlooked.

Yara Marei

Contributing Writer and Research Intern

Yara Marei is a proud Jordanian Palestinian, engineering and data analyst intern, and environmental activist in Washington, DC. With a deep love for the US, Yara is eager to further her studies and establish a career in the US. Her journey is marked by exceptional achievements, including winning Intel ISEF 2016, Falling Walls Germany, the Hult Prize, and numerous other international competitions. Yara’s passion for engineering, coupled with her love for the vibrant culture and innovation of Washington, DC, fuels her ambition to contribute to the environmental landscape in America.

Jack Moran

Contributing Writer and Research Intern

Jack Moran, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a first-time intern with Arab America. His passion for the Middle East and its culture grew further after he began studying Arabic last summer. Currently a sophomore at American University, he is majoring in political science and Arabic. Next fall, he plans to study abroad in Jordan to immerse himself in Arab culture and language firsthand.

Layan Srour

Contributing Writer and Research Intern

Layan Srour is a Detroit-based Lebanese composer, improviser, and conductor whose music reflects her diverse cultural experiences. She began her musical journey with piano lessons at age four, later continuing her studies in Beirut. After moving to Michigan, Layan earned degrees in music from Henry Ford College and Wayne State University. Known for her commitment to community, she has worked with prominent organizations including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Jazz Festival, Girls Rock Detroit, and the Arab American National Museum. Layan’s work explores the intersection of music, culture, and identity, with a focus on Arab American communities. Her ongoing ethnomusicology research examines the role of music in shaping cultural identity, and through 40 Minutes With, a weekly interview series with the Arab American Foundation, she showcases the voices of Arab American musicians, diving deep into their stories and artistic journeys.