Karis Ailabouni

Karis Ailabouni is a second-generation Palestinian immigrant and refugee who was born and raised in the United States. After graduating with a BA in music, psychology, and French from Valparaiso University, she taught English in Madagascar and co-founded an English club that equipped 200 youth with language skills for future employment. Karis then lived in Jerusalem for three years designing, implementing, and managing a study abroad program for Notre Dame. In this capacity, she formed strategic partnerships with local nongovernmental organizations, educational institutions, and religious organizations. She was also involved in grassroots resistance efforts such as Right to Movement, Christian Academic Forum for Citizenship in the Arab World, and the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music. Karis speaks Palestinian Arabic and French. As a master of global affairs student, she was a recipient of a Kroc Institute Fellowship.