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Eliane Aoun: After her participation in the Access program between 2006 and 2008, Eliane got her BA and Professional Diploma in English Language and Literature from the Lebanese University and is currently finishing her Masters on Codeswitching. Besides being part of the Access program, Eliane won two other programs/scholarships:
Eliane participated in the third edition of the access program from 2006 until 2008. She participated in the activities done by her cluster and amideast and stood out as a passionate, determined, and motivated student. In 2008, Eliane won a writing competition called “Between the Lines” by the International Writing Program and participated in a two-week intensive writing workshop in Illinois, Chicago. During her stay there, Eliane wrote prose and poetry in both Arabic and English that she published in the program’s booklet which had her own design as a front page. After the Access and BTL programs, Eliane graduated with distinction from the Lebanese University with a BA and Professional Diploma in English language and literature. She pursued her MA at the Lebanese University also and is expected to graduate this spring semester. In 2014, Eliane applied and got accepted to the prestigious Fulbright FLTA program, where she was a teaching assistant at Florida State University. Eliane assisted in and led Arabic classes of different levels. She also held conversation tables where she prepared cultural-based activities for the students to introduce them to the Arabic language and familiarize them with its culture. Eliane went as far as setting up skype meetings with her friends back home and her students for them to practice real everyday Arabic. She also showed them pictures of her hometown and prepared Lebanese food for them. Eliane was nominated by her students for the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award during her stay at FSU with a basis of nomination that elaborated on her passion for teaching Arabic and cultural awareness and involvement in teaching. During the Fulbright program in the US, Eliane stressed on the importance of including culture in teaching Arabic as it made communication and understanding easier. She integrated culture into her classroom and conversation tables, which made the environment an enjoyable one according to her students. When she came back to Lebanon in 2015, and as part of giving back to the community, Eliane applied for and received a grant from the US Embassy to teach English for residents at Om EL Nour-an NGO for rehabilitation from drug addiction. Eliane taught both men and women at different locations for five months. During her project, she worked with them on strengthening their English language and conversational skills in order to make it easier for them to find a job once they finish their rehabilitation. Eliane has been a part of the Access Alumni Association since it was founded. She is one of the founding members of this association and was a board member for its first two years. Now, Eliane is the president of the Access Alumni Association and continues to volunteer and give back to the community and the program. |