YOUSEF ABU-SALAH
2022-23 Traveling Fellow
Filmishmish: An Exploration of Hope in Displaced Groups around the World
Inspired by his own experience as a refugee from Gaza, Yousef will use the fellowship to explore hope in displaced communities around the world.
Hometown: Gaza, Palestine/Flowood, MS
Majors/Minors: Computer Science, Cognitive Studies, & Creative Writing
Yousef, originally from Gaza, Palestine and Flowood, Mississippi, double majored in computer science and cognitive studies with a minor in Creative Writing. Inspired by his own experience as a refugee from Gaza, he will use the fellowship to explore diverse sources of hope in migrant communities across the world.
In 2019, Yousef founded Complecto, a nonprofit dedicated to providing training and computer-science bootcamps to hundreds of low-income students in his native Mississippi. In addition, he founded and led teaching during the 2017 for Nadia’s Learning in Mafraq, Jordan, which catered to Syrian refugees at the Zaatari Refugee Camp. It was paid for completely via crowdfunding, raising more than $5000 for supplies and field trips.
On campus, Yousef served as the president of the Middle-Eastern Student Association as well as a resident adviser to first-year students in North Hall for three years. He completed internships in product management at Compass in New York City and Save the Children International.
To keep up with Yousef’s fellowship experience, please visit his website.