Abd-Alrahman "Abude" Al-Asaad '17

Country of Citizenship: Syria
UWC attended: United World College Maastricht

Abd-Alrahman "Abude" Al-Asaad '17 left his home in Syria to study at the United World College in Maastricht, Netherlands.

At Skidmore, he is studying economics with an honors forum minor.

Abude completed a summer internship at the Institute for New Economic Thinking, a New York City-based think tank that supports critical academic research in economic science. As a research assistant in the Monetary Policy Department, he conducted research on the spillover effect of the Federal Reserve monetary policies on foreign stock markets.

He is grateful for the "respect and care" he receives at Skidmore. "My professors guide me through a glorious journey of curiosity and learning."

Abude is also quick to voice his deep appreciation of the Davis United World College Scholars Program. "Very simply, without the generous support of Mr. Davis, I would not have been able to attend college, and I would be in Syria, which is not the safest place on earth."

He plans to use his education to advance peace in the troubled region he calls home. "I hope that one day I will be able to give a chance to those who lack the opportunity to see the world and contribute to it. In a broader sense, being someone who suffered from political conflicts as a Palestinian refugee who grew up in Syria, I hope that one day I will be able to push the Middle East one step closer towards peace."

Looking forward, Abude intends to express his gratitude to Mr. Davis and Mr. Geier through actions rather than just words. "I can tell you now that I am committed to the mission of strengthening international understanding as a means to achieve world peace."