Author Archives: Laura McAdams

About Laura McAdams

Laura McAdams is a Master’s student at University of Pennsylvania studying International Educational Development. Her experience in the MENA region includes 15 months as a Fulbright student researcher to Fez and Ifrane, Morocco in 2010 and 2011. Her project was interested in understanding the disconnect between the policies of technology usage in education and the reality of how these policies unfold in the classroom. Summer 2012 she returned to the Middle Atlas mountains of Morocco to work with a women’s weaving cooperative. She is excited to learn more about other countries in the MENA region and issues involving education policy and reform, technology usage in curriculums and gender equality in education. One of Laura’s lifelong goals is to one day be able to sit down and leisurely read a newspaper in Arabic.

Ramadan Iftaars in Jordan

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Laura McAdams

This weekend marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. It is a pretty big deal for Muslims as it is one of the five pillars of Islam and a big deal for … Continue reading →

Posted in Boren Fellowship in Jordan, 2013-2014 | Tagged iftaar, Jordan, mansaf, non-formal education, Ramadan | Leave a comment

Fun with Science in Irbid

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Laura McAdams

Alhumdulileh Ramadan is over! Work hours return to normal, I can eat and drink on the streets without fear of arrest, and I’ll be able to resume site visits to the non-formal and informal education centers with members of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boren Fellowship in Jordan, 2013-2014 | Tagged hands-on science activities, Irbid, science education, Volunteerism | Leave a comment

Visit to Za’atari Refugee Camp

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Laura McAdams

Last week, after filling out an official UN request for travel, getting my boss and his boss to sign a travel schedule, and submitting a copy of my passport to Questscope, I finally was able to accompany Questscope on a … Continue reading →

Posted in International Educational Development Program at UPenn, 2012-2013 | Tagged informal education, Jordan, mentoring, refugees, Syria, Za'atari refugee camp | 2 Comments

Keeping busy around Jordan

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Laura McAdams

Since my last blog post, I have been keeping busy all day at the office and there always seems to be some event or activity after work. I have not had much downtime since I moved into my new apartment, … Continue reading →

Posted in International Educational Development Program at UPenn, 2012-2013 | Tagged informal education, Jerash festival, Mt. Nebo, Nancy Ajram, non-formal education, Ramadan, Wadi Mujib | Leave a comment

Non-formal Education training for Ministry of Education liaisons

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Laura McAdams

An interesting work-filled Friday at the Ministry of Education’s training for a group of 18 liaisons who will be overseeing the 49 Non-formal Education centers across Jordan. Today was spent editing the program’s formal guidelines, discussing the challenges the program … Continue reading →

Posted in International Educational Development Program at UPenn, 2012-2013 | Leave a comment