- DHRC Museum of Memory and Human Rights Fellowship, Santiago, Chile
- Fair Labor Association Fellowship
- Human Rights and Environmental Justice in Edéa Cameroon Internship
- Ian Fishback Human Rights Fellowship
- International Human Rights Fellowship
- Robert J. Donia Graduate Student Fellowship
- Social Change Initiative Fellowship
- Student-Initiated Summer Internship Fellowship
- Syria Justice and Accountability Centre Fellowship
- Fellowship for Research to Advance Global Health & Human Rights
Lara Areiqat
Major: International Studies
Class of 2028
“My fellowship experience at the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) through the Donia Human Rights Center (DHRC) has been transformative. I am grateful for DHRC’s support in allowing me to engage in nonprofit work in the heart of the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Prior to this experience, I had little understanding of the work required to address the consequences of human rights violations that span generations. I also often wondered what would come next for Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. Through my work at SJAC, this question evolved beyond Syria’s political future to encompass the broader questions of accountability and recovery.
With the post-Assad transition opening the floor to new possibilities in Syria, I have come to understand that transitional justice requires a collective effort to confront the past and lay the foundations for a just future. Taking part in the trial monitoring process, missing persons documentation, and weekly meetings has made me see firsthand how this work contributes to efforts toward restoration. As I continue my studies at the University of Michigan, I hope to carry these lessons with me and further explore how public policy can be used to advance human rights initiatives.”
