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An Interview With Dartmoor Alumni Mohanad Alsaid
Mohanad Alsaid is a master’s degree candidate at George Washington University focusing on International Security. He holds bachelor’s degrees from Seaton Hall University, as well as holding a certificate from Harvard University. Mohanad has done extensive research on Peace & Security efforts in the Middle East, focusing on the causes of violence and the role religion plays in peace efforts. He has also done research on Israeli–Palestinian conflict and Territorial disputes in the Gulf.
Whilst at Seaton Hall University, Mohanad was an Assistant Education at International Rescue Committee. He is the Ambassador of School of Diplomacy International Relations at Seton Hall University, and he is the United Nations Youth Representative. Mohanad is an SDGs activist, speaking about the 2030 agenda for sustainable development & works on engaging youth groups through presentations on behalf of SDGs.
What years did you attend Dartmoor and what subjects did you take there?
I attended Dartmoor in 2015 to 2016, and I took Math courses for my Senior year.
So what are you currently doing?
Right now I’m the Founder & CEO of Alsaid Foundation. I'm also active in politics, focusing on issue advocacy by establishing a mentoring platform for young professionals interested in political involvement. My interests, both personally and professionally, include responding to issues within economic opportunity, counter-extremism, and entrepreneurship.
How did you get into that?
Since I started with the United Nations in 2014, I volunteered with UNICEF in Jordan, Syria for 2 years, ad then when I came to the US I continued my education. I worked very hard with UNICEF and in 2015 the United Nations invited me as a member for the United Nation Foundation UNA. That’s my goal—I need to do something for Middle East.
I need to do a non-profit, they can help youth, help refugees, development in Middle East and also focus more in education. I’m focussed with United Nation for goal number 4, which is education—how we can let the student back to school. Because some countries in the Middle East they have a war, and because of the war students don’t go to school. So we are doing as much as we can with the United Nations. First we stop this war, and let the students back to school.
How would you say your time at Dartmoor affected what you’re doing now after graduation?
Dartmoor is a really good private school. I was having a problem with public school because I was at my former highschool, and they told me you need to graduate so you have to finish algebra so actually I needed 2 more years in school, after year 12. This was so hard to me, because I didn’t want to stay in school 2 more years. So I found Dartmoor school.
They said, when I met with the campus manager Mr. E, we can make a plan, we can finish algebra within 1 year. It was a really good option to me, to finish school in 1 year, so I saved 2 years of my life to finish algebra 1, 2 & 3.
It was just me and my teacher. So I think it’s a really good idea, because once you have you and your teacher, you focus more on the subject. But when you have a big class, and you have 20-30 students, its hard for the teacher to focus on each one of the students. It was a good option for me. The other good thing about Dartmoor school – the people - they are coming from around the world to study in Dartmoor. So I meet people from China & Korea, so people you meet and the discussion you have, about our country and our religion, it was a really good experience for me.
What would be one piece of advice if you were to give it to a current Dartmoor student?
Of course I would tell them to work hard, that way they get what they want. Focus on the goal they need to do after graduating from Dartmoor school. Dartmoor school has really helped me to find a good university. I was looking for university and Dartmoor they helped me find a school. I am so happy that Dartmoor helped me to find a suitable school. I was looking to major in international relations, and its hard to find it in Seattle because Seattle focuses more technology. So the university is outside Seattle, in New Jersey. They really worked hard with me to get me accepted to this university. My dream started since I got accepted to this school.
This goes back to Dartmoor school, because without Dartmoor, I wouldn’t be here today where I am, to be honest.
What about the 1 on 1 teaching method? I know you talked a little about it, but can you expand on just how either how it worked, or did you take classes for an hour, for a long period? What was your favourite part of having that 1 on 1 experience?
The good option with Dartmoor school is that they can work in your schedule. So you can pick the time, as long as this time works with your teacher. I was having my classes start from 11 AM to 1:30 PM, every day except Friday. This helped me because I can spend 3 hours in school, after that back home, study more for algebra, do my homework or do my exam. This is something that is not easy to find in other schools—finding a school that can work to your time schedule.
Also, the teaching method, the way how they teach the student. Everyone the student and the teacher, they have 1 role. You study, you finish then you have a 10 or 15 minute break where you can get lunch or have a coffee, so that was a really good option for Dartmoor school. Its hard to find that in other schools in Washington.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your life now, or your time at Dartmoor, or any additional pieces. Whether its to thank a certain teacher, or mention anything additional about the school or your time, currently or after the school.
I’m thankful for the campus manager, because without him nothing would’ve happened. He worked so hard with me, to be honest, and also my teacher. I did too many things for my life, I was member of non-profits, I was member for the United Nations and for the economic forum. I also worked with diplomatic people, from Middle East, to bring them here to the United States and introduce them to school and talk about subjects in Middle East or subjects between US and Middle East.
