Peace Corps service "Transformative" for Noora Emara '23

My father graduated from Hood [MBA] in 2017, and I immediately fell in love with the small tightly knit campus and community. One of my favorite memories actually comes from my very first class on campus. I had to email my professor ahead of time to let her know I might be a little late because I was taking my driving exam that morning. When I finally made it to class a bit late and quietly walked in, she stopped the entire lecture to ask how I did. I gave her a small nod to say I passed, and she immediately announced it to the whole room. It was a little embarrassing in the moment, but also incredibly kind—and it instantly made me feel welcomed and supported.

I took a Middle Eastern Studies class that really sparked my interest in global initiatives and service. As I began exploring different opportunities, I came across the Peace Corps and immediately felt drawn to it. From there, I fully committed—connecting with returned Peace Corps volunteers, speaking with recruiters, and attending webinars to learn more about the experience and application process. 

A huge shout out to Rev. Beth [O'Malley] and Dr. Paige Eager, who helped guide me through the application process and gave me the support and confidence I needed to finally hit that submit button.

I served for a little over 2 years (27 months) as a Youth Development Specialist in the southern region of Morocco. 

The biggest high for me was the sense of community.I was incredibly fortunate to be welcomed by both my Moroccan community and my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers, many of whom have become lifelong friends. The biggest challenges were navigating misogyny, harassment, and, at times, working with people who simply didn't share the same level of commitment or motivation. 

The experience changed me in ways I never could have anticipated before joining the Peace Corps. It made me more resilient, resourceful, and confident in my ability to adapt to difficult situations. I learned that I am capable of much more than I ever gave myself credit for. 

For anyone considering service, I say: do it! It was not always easy, and there were certainly difficult days, but it was also the most rewarding and transformative experience of my life. The challenges made the experience meaningful, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Re-entry has been a little bumpy at times, but it has also been full of opportunities. I currently work as an International Accreditation Assistant at ABET, a nonprofit organization based in Baltimore that accredits college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology, both domestically and internationally. Hood's CS program is accredited by us! 

Since returning, I've had the opportunity to attend both the ABET July Meetings and the 2026 Peace Corps Connect Conference, which allowed me to continue learning, building connections, and engaging with communities that are important to me. 

I was also recently appointed to Hood College's Alumni Executive Board, which feels like a meaningful way to give back to a community that played such a significant role in my journey. Right now, I'm focused on putting myself out there, embracing new opportunities, and using the lessons that both Hood and the Peace Corps taught me. They showed me the value of service, adaptability, resilience, and community, and I'm excited to see where those lessons take me next.

I am a little biased in thinking Egypt is the best place to travel to in the world. The food, the people, the beaches are all amazing and, most importantly, my family is there.

Right now, the destination highest on my list is Thailand. I want to explore a new culture and I think it would be an amazing stamp to collect on my passport!