MUBetterTogether - Meet Lucas | Manchester University

Lucas Al-Zoughbi

Psychology and Peace Studies| Bethlehem, Palestine

Shared Experiences

Lucas Al-Zoughbi grew up in Bethlehem, Palestine. His life experience was formed growing up under constant military presence in a part of the world where sectarian violence is common. He’s lost friends and dealt with the assumptions and prejudices people have about him because of who he is and where he grew up. But at Manchester, he found a place where his experiences form a bond, not a barrier.

Lucas connected with people all over Manchester’s campus through his on-campus job in the Office of Volunteer Services, study away trips, working on group research projects with fellow psychology students, and presenting his research at conferences ranging from the annual Manchester Research Symposium to a conference in Seoul, Korea. Post-graduation, Lucas is starting on his journey to earn a Ph.D. in ecological-community psychology at Michigan State University.

Activities

Student Director at the Office of Volunteer Services, Psych Department Student Assistant, Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT), Psych Society, Psi Chi, MU Knitting and Crochet, A Capella Choir, Student Senate, Peace Studies Institute Board Member

Favorite Hangout

Office of Volunteer Services in Calvin Ulrey Hall

Recommended Faculty

Professors Katy Gray Brown, Marcie and Rusty Coulter-Kern, and Tim Reed

Recommended Class

Philosophy of Civilization. Everyone should take that class with Katy Gray Brown!

What People May Not Know About MU

The best thing about Manchester is that it provides the support for each student to grow in any way they want. You can follow your passion and be a successful student.

Advice for Students Looking at MU

You get what you give. You can come and find nothing to do or you can come and be overwhelmed by all that there is to do. You decide what type of student you want to be, make the most out of this amazing opportunity or just going through the motions.

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"Every student leaves here with a level of knowledge that they didn’t know they could achieve."

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Lucas never thought that a small school like Manchester would have so many connections around the world. Those connections start with MU’s diverse student population. Lucas finds ways to teach his friends about his culture, including food. “Sunday evening, friends come over and we cook a meal and eat together. Usually initiated by Miriam Cruz.” His favorite meal to make is a Palestinian dish called Mjadara, which is served with Arabic salad and yogurt.

Every other year, Manchester celebrates food, music, dance and culture from around the world at the International Fair. At the 2016 fair, Lucas served traditional Palestinian food amongst other dishes from countries like Ethiopia, France, India, Japan, New Zealand and Nigeria."