Samuel Al-Nimri

2019 Fulbright Scholar

Hometown

Arlington Heights, IL

Major

Social Studies Education with an Economics/Government concentration

College

Education

 

Samuel Al-Nimri was selected as one of only four in a new Fulbright program teaching English in the Palestinian Affairs Unit-managed American Spaces of the West Bank. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves and a Purdue 2019 social studies education graduate who first postponed attending university to participate in filming a German television game show. He previously interned with Teach for America. He also had extensive experience working with children and communities through his participation in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Read to Succeed, and College Mentors for Kids during his time at Purdue.

 

Al-Nimri advocates for what he calls “intercultural empathy in the social sciences.” He says, “There is a Bedouin proverb, ‘I and my cousin against the stranger.’ Though rooted in Arab tribal community structure, it can equate to modern society. As a secondary education teacher, I want to eliminate ‘the stranger’ from the classroom […].” Al -Nimri adds, “[T]here is still such friction between American and Arab cultures that often results in blind fear and contempt – I strive to do everything I can as an educator to change that.”

 

Upon return from his Fulbright, Al-Nimri intends to further his education for a life invested in teaching others.