Lena Aloumari – NextGen Journal

Lena Aloumari

Appalachian State University

I currently reside in the beautiful mountains of Boone, NC where I am studying journalism at Appalachian State University. I have written for my campus newspaper and freelanced at a variety of other publications spanning countries and continents. With my Arab background, I plan on focusing my future career towards Middle East affairs.

Articles by Lena Aloumari

The “War on Women” in the Middle East April 25, 2012 Mona Eltahawy's article about women in the Middle East has caused quite a controversy, but this goes to show that another revolution is needed in the Middle East, as well as in the United States. A revolution of backwards thinking has dominated these two cultures.

Do You Know What’s Going On in Syria? February 3, 2012 With 7 billion people, unfortunately there is not enough time—even on a 24-hour news network—to cover everything that happens in the world. But why do we only get 10 seconds--at most-- of what’s happening beyond our own American bubble?

What to Hope for in the Middle East January 3, 2012 2011, more so than any other year that I have been alive, will be forever remembered as the year of revolutions and revelations. So, here’s to 2012: another 12 months, 52 weeks, and 365 days of struggle, growth, progress, and experience.

Reflections on Syria: My Father’s Homeland December 5, 2011 Some people in the Middle East are gasping and trying so hard to achieve fair elections and democracy, yet some people here in the United States choose not to vote during elections. How is this fair?

Social Media Now Tracks Our Moods October 5, 2011 It doesn’t surprise me that people’s tweets or status updates are directly proportional to their moods, but what does surprise me is how our generation, and the generations after us, are being raised in a time where it’s encouraged to share every minute detail about our life.

Post-9/11 as a Muslim-American September 8, 2011 It’s the perspective that you gain with age that matters, especially with such infamous days like 9/11. But at the same time, looking back, I’m glad that I wasn’t able to process what was happening in my country. My biggest hope is that Islam in America will someday be understood.

Ramadan On Campus August 24, 2011 Since this is the first time in about 20 years that Ramadan has occurred during the summer, its overlap with the back to school season is draining: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Luckily, the Muslim Student Association helps out.

Contemplating in Cairo: Part 3 August 4, 2011 With my days in Cairo dwindling down, so much still hasn’t been done: for myself, my family, my friends, my country. Despite all of the progress that has been made over the past few months, I can't help feeling that we're expecting too much change in too little time.