Hala Shaheen

Hala, 19, is majoring in English literature at the Islamic University of Gaza and says writing is her passion and hopes to be a professional writer in the future. "They say writing is a talent. I say it is an identity," she says.

Hala was chosen for the English Access Microscholarship Program offered by AMIDEAST from 2010-2012, and won third place in a spelling bee contest and second place in essay-writing. Hala is planning to start her own blog, and also loves public speaking (most people's No. 1 fear!), cooking and singing.

You can read more of her writings on her blog.