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[November 2017] Megan Laney cultures students, adults by sharing Syrian study abroad experiences

Daniel Harizman ’19

The initial signs of danger came in the form of protests and political demonstrations, as citizens revolted against decades of regime rule in Muslim-dominated countries. As the Arab spring advanced into the northern sectors of the Middle East, developed cities were decimated, societal order was erased, and ultimately, lives were ravaged. For Staples High School alumni Megan Laney ’09, this uprising symbolized the end of her studies abroad in Syria, and led her back home to the safety of United States soil.

“I think a lot of people who have never been to the Middle East or have never studied anything about Arabic culture, don’t understand what has been happening,” Laney said. “We’re very quick to judge the Middle East in general. I don’t think people recognize all the small negative outcomes of the war.”

Studying Arabic as a foreign language at Middlebury College, Laney found her passion for language and culture at a very young age. Subsequently, Laney decided to study abroad in Syria for a semester, primarily because of its lack of American cultural influence. Her journey began on Jan. 25, 2011 but was cut short due to the spread of the revolution. She returned home in early April 2011.

“Even though I was only there for a couple months, I’m really glad that I was there at that time,” Laney said. “To be able to see it from the beginning, and to be able to live with people who broke out of their fear and started protesting was really amazing. It’s an experience that doesn’t get reported on the news.”

When Laney returned to the United States after her four-month journey, she found herself eager to share the experiences and struggles of the Syrian people. Since then, she has led public lectures at churches and senior citizen homes, as well as discussions for many of Staples students. Social studies teacher, Cathy Schager, has even invited Laney to speak in class.

“[Laney] is actually perhaps the best presenter I have ever had, even when she was 20. She knows how to impart information to an audience,” Schager said. “It is so powerful to see these images that she shows us and to talk about the fact that these people were basically her but in Syria. It’s very poignant.”

Schager praises Laney for “stepping outside of her boundaries.” She hopes that through the presentations Laney provides, students will understand the importance of connecting with individuals who are different than themselves as they do, in fact, share much in common.

“The presentation was extremely impactful. Hearing her stories was also really empowering,” Ella de Bruijn ’18 said. “[Laney] did something outside of her comfort zone and learned so much from it. The people there and her fellow students were so warm and welcoming and their lives are/have been in danger for a while now.”

Laney held a public presentation at the Westport Center for Senior Activities on Friday, Oct. 27 and will be holding lectures in Schager’s Contemporary World Studies classes again this upcoming academic year.

“It’s important to talk about the normal people who are literally just trying to survive amidst all this chaos,” Laney said. “I just try to get the word out as much as possible, because even now, you don’t really hear about Syria anymore.”

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