LUCAS: Psychology, Peace Studies // Bethlehem, Palestine
Of course Miriam Cruz remembers how they
met. Introduction to Psychology, first year, and
this guy sitting behind her who seemed to be
constantly talking.
“He would just bother me every day,” laughs
Miriam, a psychology and Spanish major with a
peace studies minor.
Lucas Al-Zoughbi pleads guilty, sort of.
“Yes, every now and then I had terrible jokes that
did not deter her from my friendship,” he says.
“So that’s always a good sign.”
Four years later they are virtually inseparable,
having forged a friendship made possible by
adjacent desks and a culture of inclusiveness
that’s inherent to Manchester.
Lucas, a psychology and peace studies major,
convinced Miriam to pick up peace studies as a
minor. They’ve attended protests together, had
numerous classes together and served on student
senate together. And at a University that prides
itself on the diversity of its student body and the
MIRIAM: Psychology, Spanish // Summit, Ill.
sharing of divergent viewpoints, they’ve found they
share a commonality of experience, even though
they come from opposite sides of the globe.
Learn more about Miriam and Lucas at
www.manchester.edu/MUBetterTogether
or #MUBetterTogether
Miriam, of Mexican ancestry, grew up in a Hispanic
neighborhood in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.
Lucas grew up in Bethlehem, Palestine. His life
experience was formed under a constant military
presence in a part of the world where sectarian
violence is common; Miriam’s was formed in a
neighborhood where gang violence and a constant
police presence were common.
Both have lost friends. Both have dealt with the
assumptions and prejudices people have about
them because of who they are and where they
grew up. Both have found in Manchester a place
where those experiences form a bond, not a
barrier.
“What we enjoy about each other is we both like
this small group interaction where you can have
these intellectual conversations about anything.
Just connect with people,” Miriam says. “It’s
fantastic.”
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