For Diana Alhalaygah ’26, a Politics, Government, and Law major with a concentration in Law and Public Policy, involvement in Model United Nations (UN) and as the vice president of the Pre-Law Association at Arcadia has helped shape her confidence, leadership skills, and future goals in law and public policy.

Through those experiences, the Northeast Philadelphian said she has grown as a public speaker and found a deeper connection to diplomacy.

“My favorite memory at Arcadia has been my involvement with Model UN,” Alhalaygah said. “Being able to travel and participate in national conferences as a delegate of different nations on topics that are very timely and critical, I found myself really connecting to areas of law and international security. As a Palestinian American, being in spaces where meaningful political and legal discussions take place is something I truly value. Participating in these conferences had made me feel more engaged with the unpredictable world around me.”

One of her proudest accomplishments came during her first year at Arcadia, when Alhalaygah was selected to travel to Paris, France, with the University’s graduate cohort in the International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) program. She participated in a week-long simulation at the American Graduate School in Paris, where she represented the Italian delegation.

“The experience reinforced my belief that even when it feels as though your efforts go unnoticed, they can ultimately lead to unexpected and meaningful opportunities,” she said. “I was also honored to receive a Certificate in Diplomacy from Michael Einik, a former U.S. Ambassador to North Macedonia and an experienced diplomat, who led and guided the program in May 2023.”

Through all of her accomplishments, Alhalaygah has worked to push past doubt and trust in her abilities.

“I strongly believe that fear can hold you back in any profession. Over the past few years, I’ve learned to trust myself and, most importantly, believe in my potential. It’s easy to feel like you don’t belong or that you’re not capable enough, but in reality, it is fear that does the most harm,” she said. “I faced fear in many forms, and overcoming it required a lot of self-trust. Sometimes, you just have to remind yourself that you, too, deserve a seat at the table.

After graduating, Alhalaygah plans to continue her work as a legal assistant at Castro Injury Law while preparing to apply to law school. Her hands-on experiences in the field have affirmed her goal of becoming a litigation attorney.

“I love being able to participate in things that not only mean a lot on a personal level, but also help strengthen public speaking and negotiation skills that are critical to have as an attorney,” she said.