Sidwell Friends has a long-standing tradition of fostering cross-cultural understanding through its exchange program with Ramallah Friends School. This year, the school welcomed Eyas Hardan, a sophomore from Ramallah Friends. 

The exchange program was founded in 2005 to honor Sami Suleiman, a dedicated community advocate and Sidwell parent. Suleiman, who immigrated to the U.S. from Palestine in 1969, devoted much of his work to promoting peace in the Middle East. After his passing, the Sami Khatib Suleiman Ramallah Friends Exchange Program was established at Sidwell Friends to honor his memory.

The exchange allows one 10th grader from Ramallah Friends to study at Sidwell each year, engaging fully in school life, staying with host families and building lasting relationships. Program Coordinator Ms. Muhayya explained that  “The program encourages diverse voices in our school community, allowing students to grow both academically and personally.”

Hardan has a passion for science and mathematics, and aspires to become either an architect or a civil engineer. “Ramallah Friends School is very similar to Sidwell,” he said, noting how both schools emphasize community and service through their shared Quaker values. This has helped him feel at home despite being in a new environment. 

The exchange program application process was rigorous, requiring commitment and effort. “The program was announced in late January,and I was interested, but I initially ignored it because I didn’t think my parents would encourage me,” Eyas explained. However, once his parents expressed their encouragement, he decided to apply. “My parents wanted me to do it, I wanted to do it, so why not,” he said. 

The application involved getting multiple recommendations from teachers, and writing essays about himself and his interests. “There were two finalists, and after going through interviews and more recommendations, I got my acceptance email while at a barbecue. I was so surprised!” Eyas recalled. He was most appreciative of the full scholarship aspect of the program, which allowed him to participate without any financial burden.

Before arriving in the U.S., Eyas also attended an orientation in Switzerland, where he met students worldwide. One of the most striking contrasts Eyas has noticed between Ramallah and Washington is the diversity of the population. “In Ramallah, most people are Arabs, but here, there are so many different kinds of people,” he remarked. He was excited to meet other Arabic speakers in Washington, saying, “I hadn’t spoken Arabic in weeks until I met someone here!”

 At Sidwell, Eyas is eager to participate in various athletic activities. He has chosen cross country for the fall season and plans to try swimming in the winter and lacrosse in spring, even though he has never played lacrosse before. “My whole goal is to try as many new things as possible,” he said. 

Integrating exchange students into Sidwell Friends School is a top priority for the staff. Once selected, Eyas received a warm welcome from Ms. Muhayya and her team. “We reach out immediately to help them feel at home and address any questions they may have,” she commented. Living with his host family has also been a positive experience for Eyas. “I am super appreciative of them; they always have time for me, and they always make me feel included,” he said. 

Making friends has been easy for him, too. He shared a memorable moment when a group of students invited him to join them for lunch on just his second day, saying “I felt a spark, it felt natural because they were all laughing and having fun.”

Another memorable moment was during a cross country meet when he realized he finally successfully integrated into this new environment. “It felt surreal … like oh my gosh, I am at Sidwell and I am about to run,” Eyas said.

For Eyas, the exchange is more than academics or travel; it’s about building relationships, improving his English and deepening his cultural understanding. By the end of the year, he hopes to strengthen his connections, improve his accent and expand his perspective.

Looking ahead, Muhayya expressed hopes for expanding the program’s reach, saying  “We are exploring ways to offer more opportunities for Ramallah Friends students to study at Sidwell.” There are plans for potential summer trips for faculty and students to visit Ramallah Friends, fostering further collaboration through shared projects.