“Joining a FOCUS program cluster was one of the best decisions I made during my first year at Duke. As a student in the Middle East & Islam in Global Contexts cluster, I had the special opportunity to learn about a culture, religion, and history largely absent from my high school curriculum. I delved into my courses with genuine intellectual curiosity, rather than solely focusing on a particular major or future career path. My wonderful professors introduced me to the incredible diversity of the Islamic world, from the poetry of Rumi to the writings of Orhan Pamuk. They pushed me to think critically and broadly, welcome new ideas and challenges, and build the intellectual and personal resilience I’d need for the rest of my time at Duke. I also had the opportunity to learn from so many incredible people. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to participate in this program, and I treasure the relationships I’ve maintained since.”
