2025 INTERN COHORT
-
Ayat Hilal
Salam! I’m Ayat and I’m a 3rd year transfer majoring in Education and Social Transformation!
MAPS was my first and by far my favorite program to be a part of and I love working with all the students. I got to run my own site and we’ve already created a lot of fun memories that I hope we can keep adding too! One of the biggest takeaways so far is how important building a connection with the students is, which allows you to help them grow into the best version of themselves.
One fun fact about me is I’ve gone scuba diving with my dad and brother as a kid, it was an amazing experience and one I hope to do again!
-
Mohammad Aljoudi
Salam! My name is Mohammad Aljoudi, and I’m a sophomore majoring in Biology with dreams of becoming a doctor. A fun fact about me is that my favorite pastime is baking—it’s a creative and relaxing way for me to unwind and try new recipes.
During this internship, I plan to help my community by making sure they have access to educational opportunities and a support system in their mentors. I’m also excited to work with others that share this dream as we work to make it a reality!
-
Lana Bohsali
Salam! My name is Lana Bohsali, and I am a sophomore at UCLA double majoring in Cognitive Science + Education & Social Transformation, with a specialization in computing.
Inspired by my experience teaching English to Arab refugees overseas, I am committed to bridging equity gaps and advocating for an equal playing field. During the MAPS internship, I aim to explore innovative ways to make education more accessible and impactful for youth while collaborating with a like-minded team dedicated to social change and community bonding.
A fun fact about me is that I am a Kukkiwon-certified 3rd-degree black belt in TaeKwonDo —a journey that spanned 10 years and had me competing across Northern California!
-
Omar Milbes
Assalamualaikum! My name is Omar Milbes, and I’m a freshman at UCLA studying Psychobiology. I’m a proud Palestinian and Syrian American with dreams of becoming a surgeon. A fun fact about me is that I am deeply fascinated by architecture. I often spend much of my free time sketching and designing architectural buildings in varying styles, from Gothic and neoclassical to modern.
As an intern, I wish to gain a better understanding of the history of the sites offered by MAPS. With such insight, I believe I could be better equipped as a intern to cultivate spaces that celebrate and respect the diverse backgrounds and interests of our communities.
-
Kalina Encalada
Salam! My name is Kalina Encalada, I am currently a freshman at UCLA majoring in Political Science. In the future I hope to go to law school and become a lawyer. A fun fact about me is that I am the oldest of four. I enjoy spending my time reading, going to the beach, watching soccer, and hanging out with friends and family.
As a MAPS intern, I want to learn how to serve underrepresented communities, especially when it comes to education. I also want to ensure our students feel confident in their abilities to pursue higher education or accomplish any goals they set for themselves. I look forward to engaging with students and helping them see their full potential.
-
Nora Salem
Salam everyone! My name is Nora Salem, and I’m a third year (first year transfer) psychology major at UCLA. I’m from Orange County, where the best itineraries involve eating, exploring coffeeshops, and going to the beach. A fun fact about me is that I am always wearing random fun socks — my favorite pair is of a duck holding fireworks that says “Firequacker.”
I am super excited to further my involvement in MAPS as an intern this quarter, especially after forming a bond with the students in the fall! My time working with them was truly rewarding as I already watched their growth over a few months, and I look forward to continuing to foster that growth. With a personal goal of working with children in my future career, I hope to learn more about positively impacting the youth and hone in on what I specifically want to pursue after exploring this area of involvement in education with MAPS.