I love gifts, whether they’re from me or for me. There’s something exciting about opening them, about the anticipation of what’s to be revealed. At Harvard, options in any capacity feel the same way. Every day, there are countless ways to spend your time, wrapped in crimson with a neat black bow, waiting for your hands to find the ribbon. 

These gifts don’t start appearing once you officially become a student, but it happens much earlier. For me, I first noticed them during Visitas, Harvard’s admitted students weekend. With so much to unwrap at once, everyone experiences Visitas differently. You can attend club info sessions, shop at The Coop or the Harvard Shop in the Square, or even sit in on a lecture with current students! I did a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but I spent most of my time during the weekend in affinity spaces. 

During Visitas, I attended an Arab and Muslim affinity meet-up and immediately felt how intentional the community was. I met people who encouraged me to choose Harvard, people I still know and love today, and people who made it clear that belonging here was not something to be earned, but something already built in. That same sense of ease and community carried into my first year on campus. As things inevitably got busy, I went to Arab events here and there, showed up when I could, and felt grounded simply knowing these spaces existed. 

By sophomore year, once I felt settled into campus life, I wanted to be more fully immersed in something tied to my identity. That’s when I became involved with the Arab Conference at Harvard (ACH). Until this year, I hadn’t fully understood the scope of ACH, but now, I can’t imagine not being part of it. 

Getting involved with ACH felt like unwrapping one of those gifts I didn’t even realize I’d been saving. In the past, ACH has hosted figures like Mohamed Hadid, whose panel blended business, culture, and identity in a way that felt both personal and expansive. This year, though, I’m especially excited to experience the conference from the inside and see the range of programming we’ve planned. From our research symposium highlighting Arab scholars and researchers, to a startup competition spotlighting rising companies across the diaspora, ACH creates space for Arab excellence in all its forms.

And then there’s my favorite part: the bazaar. Modeled after traditional marketplaces common across the Middle East, it features rows of small shops, each offering something different, like art, clothing, jewelry, and more. I’m already excited to leave with gifts for my friends, my family, and of course, myself, because shopping is half the fun. I’m also really looking forward to the Saturday night gala, which is essentially my excuse to dress up and spend the evening in a beautiful venue surrounded by people who feel familiar in the best way. The best part of it all is that ACH isn’t just for Arabs; anyone and everyone is encouraged to attend. It is an incredible opportunity to experience another part of the world without ever having to leave Cambridge.

As this year’s conference approaches, I’m genuinely excited, not just for the panels and programming, but for the experience as a whole (and yes, especially the gala, because any excuse to dress up will be taken). Harvard has given me many gifts over the years, but the Arab community here remains my favorite one to unwrap. 

For a glimpse of what’s being unwrapped this year, you can follow along on our Instagram @arabconferenceharvard!