Only being a college student, Alaa Basatneh has accomplished things way beyond her years. Along with studying and working full time at schools in the city, Basatneh has gained a distinguished honor globally in the political world. Whether she is attending high level meetings, meeting with congressmen and/or Foreign Affairs Ministers for Iraq, Morocco, Japan, UAE, UK and Italy regarding political issues, or Secretary Hilary Clinton, she is still just a student as well as someone’s daughter.

Furthermore, Alaa Basatneh has kept up with her educational goals while traveling around the world for these meetings. Having a good education is still her number one priority. Basatneh has not let the honor and esteem from these meetings affect her. Volunteering is something she has done ever since she was 14 years old.

Most importantly, Basatneh is very proud of her culture and her past, even teaching Arabic to a class of 36 students alone at a community center. Building a bridge between the Arab World and the United States of America is her ultimate goal. Majoring in political science and gaining experience from these meetings is her way of helping others see the universal connection between us all.

Alaa Basatneh has been featured in international newspapers, including the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. Basatneh is the main character of a Hollywood Documentary, #chicagoGirl that will be on air in the upcoming months. Balancing her political activism, education, work, volunteering, and personal life is positively challenging. However, nothing is impossible for this young girl.