Abdelsalam, Mohamed (Moe)

Mohamed (Moe) Abdelsalam

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
As a first-generation American, I grew up appreciating the value of diversity and embracing different cultures. This appreciation followed me to Carolina, where I now pursue an education rooted in politics and understanding how various cultural backgrounds shape our society today. Last spring, while taking a course on comparative European politics, a representative from Honors Carolina introduced me to Burch Seminar programs related to my discipline. At that time, I had no interest in studying abroad but was captivated by the presentation, which prompted me to consider the possibility of participating in such programs. Later, I conducted my own research and discovered the Burch Intelligence program in Berlin. Given that my studies are centered around international relations, I was instantly drawn to the possibility of traveling to one of the most historically rich and culturally diverse cities in the world.  From the brief description provided, the program already highlighted several points of interest: exploring how intelligence practices have shaped contemporary political outcomes like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, analyzing the dynamics of international relations during times of tension (such as the Cold War), and having the opportunity to engage firsthand with former East Berlin citizens to understand the cultural implications of a divided city. Ultimately, these factors led me to apply for the program, which quickly became one of the most significant opportunities of my life. 

What did you learn about yourself?
This experience helped me overcome a self-imposed obstacle I've been struggling with all my life. As someone who has always hesitated to step out of my comfort zone, even with things as small as trying new restaurants, I was very anxious about traveling to Europe. Despite my excitement for the program, the anxiety-fueled panic attacks I suffered leading up to my departure almost made me withdraw.  Often, when I find myself in a new environment, I feel overwhelmed and worried about fitting in. For most of my life, this issue has led me to avoid challenging situations, opting to stick to my comfort zone instead of branching out. However, on this trip, I discovered something that had been locked away for nearly 21 years: the powerful sensation of self-acceptance. In the first few days in Berlin, I became more comfortable with my classmates and opened up more to them. This was largely because we were all navigating this unfamiliar environment together, experiencing similar setbacks, anxiety, and cultural shock.  Despite my fears of not fitting in, our friendships quickly developed and strengthened as we all remained confused about which water was still and which was sparkling. I found myself sharing life stories and going on the most bizarre adventures with people I would've never imagined being with.  These experiences made me realize that the only person truly judging me and expecting me to know all the right things was myself. On this trip, I learned how my self-conscious tendencies get the better of me and the memories I miss out on by being too pessimistic about myself. Now, as I sit here writing this application, I can proudly say that by engaging in this program, I have not only learned to break out of my social anxiety but also managed to bring back valuable friendships to Chapel Hill

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
Choosing a single favorite memory from this program is challenging, so I'd like to share two standout moments: one academic and one cultural.  The first was meeting Konstantin von Notz, leader of the Green Party, in the parliament building. Despite the stunning architecture, it was our conversation that truly resonated with me, as it was two days after the assasination attempt on former President Donald Trump. While supposed to be focused on intelligence regimes, we primarily talked about topics like political violence and the impact of the 2024 US Presidential elections on trans-Atlantic relations. I enjoyed how Konstantin created an open environment for discussion, as it provided me with an informed understanding of European perspectives on how recent events is influenced by cultural values and history. I also managed to get a fantastic photo with him for LinkedIn! Secondly, my favorite cultural memory involves the EUROs, a major European soccer tournament hosted in Germany this year. On a daily basis, the streets of Berlin were alive with events, drawing people from all over Europe. This atmosphere provided me countless opportunities to interact with individuals from various countries, broadening my understanding of different ways of life. Each team brought its own unique culture to Berlin, allowing me to absorb the European lifestyle, from enjoying Slovak potato dumplings to celebrating with Spanish fans when they won the tournament.

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
I would advise future students struggling with uncertainties to take a step back and realize they're not alone. As someone who has faced these issues frequently, I understand how natural it is to feel overwhelmed in new environments. However, It's essential to recognize that we are all navigating this unfamiliar terrain together.  No single individual will have all the answers, but each person, with their unique life experiences, contributes a piece of the puzzle that can collectively help the group. While I acknowledge that it's easier said than done, and some students may not be able to connect with their peers as I did, we are all fortunate to be Carolina students. As such, we have access to support from highly resourceful professors and staff, such as Gina Difino, who can offer guidance and support no matter the challenge.

How do you identify?
Student of color

Could you share any experiences where your identity played a role in your time abroad?
In a time when there was a heightened anti-Middle Eastern and anti-Muslim sentiment in parts of Europe, my identity signficantlly influenced my experience abroad. While in the program itself, I was shielded from this bias due to Berlin's cultural diversity; traveling around Europe on the weekends exposed me to different attitudes. For instance, during a visit to London, I found myself in a massive anti-Muslim demonstration that ended up in violence. Forunately, I was not hurt nor harassed as my classmates and I decided to go back to Berlin that very instances. Nevertheless, the worry that an individual, likely a drunken one, would be enraged by my skin complexiation and approach me scared me nearly to death. On one occasion, to avoid any potential scrutiny or bias from locals, I preemptively introduced myself as a Mexican-American, rather than my true identity. While I am certainly not proud of shielding who I am, I realized the virtue of picking and choosing my battles, as an altercation in a foreign country over ethnicity was certainly not worth. However, my identity did not always necessarily play a bad role. On one occasion, a few of my classmates and I, being nearly 45m away from the city and starving visited a Donor Kebab shop whose employees did not speak english. It turns out that the employees were Jordnian refugees, who despise subtle differences in dialet, I was able to communicate with in Arabic. After a brief conversation, they were nice enough to give us all a free drink and did not charge us the full price for the food. 

Is there any advice you would give to other students who share your identity?
For any Middle Eastern or Muslim students who decide to study abroad, particularly in Europe, my biggest piece of advice is to proactively plan your trips and ensure you have access to support, whether it be from classmates or UNC provided resources. During my experience in London, I felt ashamed and guilty for hiding my identity. I believe that our identity is what makes us all unique, and we should not hide it to fit into others’ misconceptions and biases. However, in situations that could potential break into violence, its best to focus on what connects you with the people you meet, rather than what sets you apart. Additionally, I found it useful to keep up with local news and social media to be aware of demonstrations and racially-motivated crimes. While I didn’t quite stay up to date in London, using this trick I was able to avoid all demonstrations in Berlin, while still enjoying my time and not missing out. And for those who do unfortunately encounter these situations, the best way to deal with it is by utilizing your classmates and sticking to your values. As Tarheels we stand together, and there is nothing we can’t overcome together.

Memories