ANN ARBOR— A drive down I-94 west-bound to Ann Arbor, MI, a mere twenty-five to thirty minute commute, reminds members of Doors of Opportunity (DOPP) just how linked the Dearborn and Ann Arbor communities have become. July 16th, 2010 marked the calendars of DOPP members still around for the summer as the AAYSP (American Association for Yemeni Scientists and Professionals) campus day. This is a day during which DOPP members would cater our presentations to the specific needs of the Yemeni American community in Dearborn. Doors of Opportunity, a University of Michigan student organization comprised, for the most part, of graduates from the local high schools in the city of Dearborn, as well as Dearborn Heights, strives to reach out to students from these areas who are, paradoxically, advantaged and disadvantaged in various ways. We say advantaged to underscore the richness of identity and thought, as well as the presence of an uncommon work ethic, all of which are characteristic and often attributed to the unique experiences of immigrant families encountered in this community. We say disadvantaged to paint a picture all too familiar to those who are cognizant of the socioeconomic dynamics which attempt to define this humble yet vibrant Arab American community. Those of us who have ventured outside of Dearborn’s physical confines, however, find that the view from outside is not so undesirable. We are able to see just how much other communities, like Ann Arbor’s, equally eclectic in terms of cultural and intellectual demographics, would benefit from yet another perspective. And with this in mind, we scrutinize and scavenge, looking for the almost non-existent voice which we can attempt to amplify in our new community. Our target group, this time, was Yemeni Americans. Governed by linguistic, economic, and thus not surprisingly, social barriers, the Yemeni community in Dearborn is often left on the back burner. Organizations like AAYSP, however, are lighting the fires necessary to speed the development of the various talents and skills this group has to offer. This catalytic involvement brought DOPP the valuable chance to introduce the Ann Arbor community.

As we lined the seats with folders branded with the University of Michigan’s crest, students of all sizes began to pour in. To our surprise, the group was made up of students from elementary to graduate levels of education. This delighted us, since role models of sorts were strategically planted within the group, serving as the proverbial glue, keeping the younger students oriented to achieving that which the older students had already achieved; academic success. Faress Mawri, a junior at the University of Michigan studying cellular and molecular biology, was one of these individuals. A Yemeni American from the city of Dearborn, his very presence at the University dispelled the almost tangible uncertainties that many of the students held about applying to U of M. “I encourage students to aim higher and to try to challenge themselves. I myself have younger brothers who now look up to me; I opened the doors for them. Although my parents were hesitant at first about my attending the University, they knew this would allow me to be a better student, and I would have a better future as a result.” Anecdotes of his success elicited loud applause from the inspired audience.

The campus day consisted of a series of presentations, including how to apply to the University of Michigan, what sorts of opportunities the university holds, as well as a comprehensive look into how one can pay for a U-M education. All of this, with intimate intervals embedded throughout the day, such as campus tours with various campus day leaders, a breakfast and lunch with the students, and an informal dialogue and Q&A session with a student panel.

We found that the students were indeed driven and merely needed the appropriate outlet through which they could flourish. Ammar Abbas, currently studying computer science and astronomy at Henry Ford Community College expressed that the campus day was a “golden chance” for him. The visit initiated thoughts of transferring to the University of Michigan to pursue his love for these fields. Others, like Mariam, a 6th grader who loves to read and write, simply wanted to “help kids, just like we do.” When asked what he enjoyed most, Haroun, a middle school student, said video games. After telling Haroun that he may be able to pursue a career in which he would be developing his very own video game at U-M, he was left in awe. “Can I really do that?” he said with big eyes. Haroun now claims that he will purse graphic design as a potential career. Others discussed familial barriers and how they might be resolved. Hanan Yahya, a high school student, says “it’s all about safety” for her parents. “It’s not about trusting me” she said, “it’s about not being able to trust others around me. But, it’s going to take work and I will set a precedent for my family.” Zeinab Ashaish, a 12th grader, expressed similar sentiments. “My parents are educated, but they want us there, beside them. They just do.”

Abdallah Ali, co-chair of DOPP, maintained that events such as this campus day were essential. “We need to invest time, energy and other resources in our youth. Organizations such as DOPP serve to bridge an inherent gap between the prevailing indifference towards education and the origins of our people, rooted in the very essence of education and learning.” Abdallah sat in on numerous meetings with AAYSP and after dialogue about the University and DOPP, came to the conclusion that hosting this campus day would be necessary and fruitful. He pitched the idea to our organization and we began work immediately. Bilal Baydoun, a junior studying history at the University of Michigan, acknowledged that “the main impediment for these students, based on my experience with DOPP and other organizations, is the belief that top tier universities are reserved for a certain brand of student. It think we’ve done a fairly good job at dispelling this notion, as indicated by the feedback we’ve received from schools and the students themselves. I think that students in our community today — as a result of our outreach efforts — are more excited at the prospect of attending a top-tier university than before, which was our main goal.”

Dreams were captured at various stages, whether fledgling or fully developed. To captivate students who had such varied interests and who were at such different stages in their lives was truly inspiring. And the response, according to Adel A. Mozip, president of AAYSP’s Michigan branch, was resounding: “They loved the trip and enjoyed it very much. When we were on our way home on the bus, they were shouting ‘we want another trip, we want another trip.'” This statement captured the very essence of the group; a cheerful, energetic bunch, bursting with hope and potential. It was clear that the students bonded with the very idea of the University of Michigan.