Layan Al-Kasaji and Omar Rayyan

Omar and I weren’t sure what to expect from the engineering ethics class trip to Jordan since we both grew up there and we thought it might feel a bit lame. But taking our classmates around and showing them the culture and history of our country ended up being such a rewarding experience. Petra was the highlight, even though the rain kept us from camel rides and rock climbing. It has been my favorite time visiting the city. 

We also spent time in Ajloun where we helped build schools and houses for local communities. It was incredible to see the impact of our work and know it was making a real difference. A special moment for me was when my mom joined us and brought along two of my favorite dishes: mloukheye, a stew made from jute leaves with garlic and olive oil, and warak enab, grape leaves stuffed with rice, meat, and spices. We sat down and ate together in Ajloun, and it made the trip even more memorable. It was truly one of the best experiences of our NYU Abu Dhabi journey.