Podcast Summary: This American Life - Episode 841: My Senior Year

Release Date: September 22, 2024

Introduction: The YES Program and Majd’s Journey

In episode 841 of This American Life, titled "My Senior Year," host Chana Jaffe Walt delves into the poignant experiences of Majd and twelve other students from Gaza who participated in the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the YES Program aims to foster cross-cultural understanding by bringing teenagers from regions with significant Muslim populations to American high schools. Each student spends a year immersed in U.S. education and culture, living with host families and striving to build lasting memories.

Chana Jaffe Walt [08:10]: "The YES program was Majd's idea, not her parents. Majd heard about YES from kids who had already done it."

Arrival and Initial Adaptation: Navigating a New High School Environment

Majd arrives in Bremerton, Washington, filled with aspirations to embrace the quintessential American high school experience. Initially, she approaches her new environment with the same academic rigor that defined her life back in Gaza, aiming for excellence to secure future opportunities, such as scholarships to prestigious universities like Princeton.

Majd [09:32]: "I want to be the very best YES student. I have no unfinished business at East High senior year."

Despite her focus, Majd recognizes the importance of fitting in socially. She engages in activities like football games, homecoming, and even unconventional events like "trash bagging," where students slide down hills wearing trash bags. These activities symbolize her attempt to grasp the fleeting moments of teenage life.

The Shadow of Conflict: War Hits Home

In October 2023, Majd's world is abruptly shaken when Hamas attacks southern Israel, leading to immense destruction and chaos in Gaza. The conflict casts a long shadow over her senior year, as news of the war inundates her daily life in the United States.

Majd [16:29]: "Things are really bad. We don't have electricity, we don't have anything. Everything was closed."

Majd and her peers grapple with the fear and uncertainty of their families' safety. Communication with home becomes strained, with Majd receiving limited and guarded updates from her parents, intensifying her anxiety and sense of isolation.

Majd [17:24]: "I just know a lot of things. They can just hide it from me. It was just very sad for me to see that they care about my safety and happiness and not about them."

Social Isolation and Cultural Disconnect

As the war intensifies, the Gazan students find themselves increasingly disconnected from their peers in the United States. Cultural differences, compounded by their traumatic experiences, create barriers to forming meaningful relationships.

Ali [54:13]: "I'm focusing too much about how I'm going to make friends in high school with people who don't even like my identity."

The pressure to "practice life normally" becomes a coping mechanism, yet it perpetuates their loneliness. Majd, in particular, struggles to balance her desire to participate in American traditions like Halloween with the overwhelming worry for her family's safety.

Majd [22:14]: "I still have to be participating in American cultural activities and stuff like that. So one of the activities was, like, dressing up for Halloween, going trick or treating..."

Confronting Loss and Emotional Numbness

Throughout the year, Majd and her fellow students face unimaginable losses—friends and family members caught in the crossfire of the conflict. The emotional toll leads to varied coping strategies, from Majd immersing herself in social activities to Abdulrahman (Abood) succumbing to emotional numbness.

Abdulrahman [53:08]: "It's like a black hole. It's sometimes just sucking all of your organs in and sometimes just looming. Yeah, this is kind of how I feel it."

The collective experience of loss fosters a profound sense of isolation, as each student processes their grief individually, often without the support they desperately need.

Resilience and Adaptation: Finding Strength Amidst Pain

Despite the harrowing circumstances, Majd exhibits remarkable resilience. After receiving confirmation that her family survived the initial attacks, she channels her newfound hope into fully embracing the American high school experience. She participates in sports like golf and bowling, attends parties, and even wins prom court—milestones that signify her determination to live her senior year to the fullest.

Majd [31:54]: "I didn't want to do a conventional sport and I'm really bad at running, so yeah, I didn't want to be too tired doing a sport, but I still wanted to enjoy it."

However, this facade of normalcy masks the lingering trauma and the constant concern for her family's well-being. Majd's journey highlights the complex interplay between resilience and vulnerability in the face of relentless adversity.

The Dismal Conclusion: Program’s End and Uncertain Futures

As the academic year winds down, the students from Gaza face an uncertain future. Unlike their counterparts from other regions, their participation in the YES Program cannot be extended due to the ongoing conflict. The State Department's decision leaves them grappling with dire prospects—ranging from applying for asylum to seeking alternative educational opportunities amidst legal and logistical barriers.

Majd [41:41]: "The lawyer said it's gonna take from seven to 10 years at least to get to an asylum interview because of the lack of asylum officers here in Washington."

Majd exhausts her options, from exploring boarding schools with scholarships to considering relocating to live with relatives in Michigan. The emotional and bureaucratic challenges underscore the precariousness of their positions, leaving them to navigate a labyrinth of uncertainties alone.

Final Reflections: The Lingering Impact of War on Youth

The episode concludes with reflections on the profound impact of war on young minds. Majd, now settled with relatives in Michigan, reflects on her transformed identity—balancing her heritage with her experiences in the United States. While she shows signs of emotional recovery, the scars of her journey remain evident.

Majd [56:50]: "I find myself, like, very sad and even crying sometimes because I want to be doing these things with my own family."

Chana Jaffe Walt underscores the resilience of these young individuals, who despite facing unimaginable hardships, continue to seek connection and meaning in their lives. The episode serves as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of youth amidst relentless turmoil.

Notable Quotes

• Majd [22:31]: "I'm trying not to do that. Feet on the ground, head in the sky. It's okay. I know nothing's wrong. Nothing."

• Abdulrahman [53:08]: "It's like a black hole. It's sometimes just sucking all of your organs in and sometimes just looming. Yeah, this is kind of how I feel it."

• Ali [54:13]: "I'm focusing too much about how I'm going to make friends in high school with people who don't even like my identity."

• Majd [41:41]: "The lawyer said it's gonna take from seven to 10 years at least to get to an asylum interview because of the lack of asylum officers here in Washington."

Conclusion

Episode 841 of This American Life provides a deeply moving exploration of the complexities faced by Gaza's youth in the American education system during a time of conflict. Through Majd's story and those of her peers, the podcast sheds light on themes of resilience, identity, loss, and the enduring quest for normalcy amidst chaos. This narrative not only highlights individual struggles but also prompts broader reflections on the impact of geopolitical turmoil on young lives.