Ibitsam Alafghani
M.S. in Foreign Service Student
Ibtisam Alaghani is a graduate student in the Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS), concentrating in Global Politics and Security (GPS). She was born and raised in Gaza, where her early experiences shaped her commitment to humanitarian issues and international affairs. Later, she attended the United World College in Southern Africa, an environment that broadened her global perspective and strengthened her commitment to understanding how conflict, development, and policy change people’s lives. Ibtisam pursued her undergraduate studies at Hood College, double-majoring in Political Science and Economics.
Throughout her undergraduate studies, Ibtisam focused on political economy, global development, and foreign policy. She completed a year-long honors thesis examining U.S. public attitudes towards foreign aid, gaining experience with survey design and quantitative analysis. Ibtisam was selected for the Christine P. Tischer Scholar and the Larry T. Campbell Memorial Prize. Throughout her research, she was able to explore how international policies are shaped and how they impact vulnerable communities across the globe.
Ibtisam has been actively involved in NGO and community-based work, carrying out initiatives focused on youth development, social support, and humanitarian outreach. She also contributed to a local political campaign for the Frederick County Executive, assisting with voter engagement and outreach. These experiences, combined with her academic journey, deepened her interest in public service, diplomacy, and international affairs.