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.

Jordanian Circassians

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Laura McAdams

Jordanians of Circassian orgin make up about 2% of the population here, including my friend Hamza and his family. (Hamza is half Circassian, half Chechnyan.) I arrived in Amman completely and shamefully ignorant of Circassian history and culture in the … Continue reading →

Posted in International Educational Development Program at UPenn, 2012-2013 | 1 Comment

Trash pickup and tree planting in Amman

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Laura McAdams

I’ve been pleasantly surprised to experience a spirit of volunteerism here in Jordan. Last weekend after a tasty juice of lemon and mint on Rainbow Street, I was so surprised to see a large group of kids in orange vests … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Nonformal Education Site Visits: round one

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Laura McAdams

This week I escaped the office and traveled out to the lower-income neighborhoods of East Amman, a world away from the shiny high rises of West Amman, to visit three nonformal education centers with Questscope program coordinators. In Jordan, if … Continue reading →

Posted in International Educational Development Program at UPenn, 2012-2013 | 1 Comment

Overview of my work at UNESCO

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Laura McAdams

It is Thursday, the end of the work week here in Amman, Jordan. I have been in the country eight days and have finished a full week here around the office. The UNESCO office is located right next to the … Continue reading →

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Around Amman

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Laura McAdams

Hamza has been such a kind host and has provided me with a great first introduction to Amman. I’ve already seen a lot of this gigantic city, considering that I’ve been here less than a week. Over the weekend, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Boren Fellowship in Jordan, 2013-2014, International Educational Development Program at UPenn, 2012-2013 | Leave a comment