Yassine Florez
Class of 2026
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia
Research Interests: International Development, Refugees & Migration, Conflict Resolution, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, U.S. Foreign Policy in the MENA Region, Human Rights
Yassine completed his Bachelor’s with a major in International Studies and a minor in Arabic from American University. His concentration was Peace, Global Security, and Conflict Resolution and he focused on the MENA region.
He studied abroad in Oman and in Jordan with the aim of improving his Arabic skills and learning about the local cultures. While in Jordan, he volunteered at Squash Dreamer to teach English to refugees and girls from low-income families and interned at the Jordan Times as an editor in Arabic and English. He also interned at the Department of State in the Bureau of Consular Affairs where he participated on the Consular Task Force assigned to coordinate the evacuation of U.S. citizens and their relatives from Gaza and the West Bank.
Yassine enrolled in the MAAS program to acquire deeper knowledge of the potential solutions to the challenges that hinder development in the Middle East. He enjoys going to the gym, listening to music, and exploring the DMV area with friends.