Becoming a Hoya: Why We Chose Georgetown University in Qatar

Lawrence Maracac (GU-Q’26)

When I was in high school, I first encountered Georgetown through its Model United Nations program; something  some of you may relate with. Walking onto campus and seeing the energy and intellectual curiosity around me, I felt inspired. The chairs leading the MUN sessions left a lasting impression, and I knew I wanted to be in a place like this; a place where International Affairs wasn’t just studied but lived. For me, GU-Q’s focus on global issues matched perfectly with my passion for diplomacy. When I stepped onto the campus in Education City, it just felt right. There are many reasons to choose GU-Q, but one of the most important ones is how the community makes you feel and for many of my classmates who chose the Qatar campus, it was all about how they felt connected to the community even before they became applicants. The Georgetown University in Qatar community is one that is easy to fit into because everyone is experiencing and building it at the same time.

Janna Al Sulaiti (GU-Q’27)

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t sure I wanted to come to GU-Q at first. I was nervous that I would not fit in and suffer from imposter syndrome. I also thought that the students would all be better than me and make me feel like I did not do enough. But once I visited the campus and felt the sense of community here, everything changed. I realized this wasn’t just about academics; it was about being part of an environment that pushes you to be better. Not to sound “cringe” but it is really an intellectual and ambitious community that motivates you to want to do more. That is the kind of environment you want at your university, regardless of where you go. Georgetown helped me embrace my passion for history and gave me the confidence to pursue what truly inspires me.

So to sum up why I chose Georgetown: it’s the vibe (where everyone is so deliberate and intentional about what they do with their time), how everyone wants you to succeed, especially the professors and your classmates. More importantly, I felt like it’s the place with the tools for me to pursue what I am passionate about.

Sama Alissa (GU-Q’27)

As I explored the Culture and Politics major on the website, I fell in love with how flexible and interdisciplinary it was. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I loved reading and writing, and CULP felt like the perfect fit. The small, tight-knit community here also reminded me of my high school, and I wanted that familiarity.

Each of us came to GU-Q for different reasons, but we share one thing in common: this university has given us the opportunity to grow, explore, and be part of something bigger. Whether it’s the campus atmosphere, the numerous programs available to students, or the people who welcomed us.

“The posts and comments on this blog are the views and opinions of the author(s). Posts and comments are the sole responsibility of the authors. They do not represent the views, opinions or policies of the University.”