Maria Osman
Award Year: 2024

Maria, a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA), is co-teaching English at SMK Abdurrab Pekanbaru, Riau.

After graduating from the University of Iowa, Maria earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies (Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies) and a certificate in human rights. Maria served in AmeriCorps, where she helped refugee and immigrant children integrate into American society, mainly through teaching English. During her studies abroad in Jordan, she delved into the refugee crisis, furthering her understanding of the challenges faced by displaced populations. These experiences in Muslim countries fueled her desire to explore Indonesia and learn about the practice of Islam in a different cultural context.

Maria is excited to explore wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) and batik patterns in Indonesia.

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