Witnessing Beauty and Community at the Crossroads

Photo Essay by Maya Mohosin (C’27)

One of the more unique ways that Georgetown University supports academic excellence, cura personalis, and holistic education is through the Magis Immersion Seminars (MIS). Each topic of the experiential learning opportunity includes rigorous in-class learning that explores the theological, historical, political, and other facets of a culture, then invites the students to immerse themselves in the culture with an on-the-ground weeklong trip during Spring Break. Students come back from their Magis trip with deep reflections and rewarding, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We asked several students to share their thoughts about the preparation, the expectations, and the lasting impressions they felt about their Magis Seminar trip. Below is the photo essay reflection by Maya Mohosin (C’27) who visited Amman, Jordan, and its environs in March, 2025. 

The first misconception that I held about Jordan was that, since Christians are the religious minority, their spaces of worship would be limited. However, I was quickly proven wrong. One service that stood out to me was Sunday Mass at the beautiful St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Amman led by Rev. George Copty.  A biblical quote painted above the sanctuary read, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30). Throughout the trip, I found myself returning to this verse in moments of exhaustion and reflection. Although I am not Christian, I felt strangely comforted by this verse. After a long and demanding semester, I arrived in Jordan feeling mentally and emotionally drained. I didn’t realize how much I needed a space to breathe and think until this visit. The warmth of the congregation, the children proudly displaying their artwork, and the smiles exchanged between pews created an unexpected sense of community.

On our second night in Jordan, we had iftar in Wehdat camp with Syrian refugee camps. This meal embodied what Jordan was all about. From meeting Prince Hassan bin Talal to speaking with refugees, we were exposed to extreme wealth disparities. Yet one thing remained the same: the hospitality. Before we began eating, the father whispered to Imam Hendi if he wanted to turn the heat on for us. The family couldn’t afford to have running heat through their home, but wanted to extend this luxury to 18 people they did not know. Despite their modest living conditions, they offered us everything they had with genuine warmth. The mother kept piling food onto our plates while insisting that we take more, and one daughter showed us all a photo of her brother in Germany. What stuck out to me about this iftar is how familiar it felt. It reminded me of my iftars at home, at Georgetown, and with friends, where despite the day’s struggle of abstaining from food, drink, and worldly desires, we can come together and share a meal.

While the Magis class focused on experiential learning and cultural exposure, the trip was also oriented as a service experience for us. Coming from Georgetown gives us a privilege that many in Jordan will never be able to experience. We visited Tkiyet Um Ali, a food security NGO that provides packaged meals for those in need during Ramadan. What made this experience so meaningful was the hands-on nature of it. As we filled and sealed meal packages, I was reminded of the privilege I carry. Back home, food security is something I rarely have to think about. Yet here, I was confronted with the reality that for many in Jordan, having enough food on the table is a daily uncertainty. Being that it was Ramadan, I was so surprised to see hundreds of members within the community come together to prepare these food packages whilst fasting. It reminded me of the importance of community and solidarity during times of hardship.

One of my favorite iftars in Jordan was at Samer Judeh’s (MSB ‘86) house. As we sat around the Judehs’ living room, he and his family welcomed us with a warmth that went far beyond hospitality. It felt like being welcomed by old friends. Mr. Judeh’s genuine kindness was emblematic of the Jordanian hospitality that we encountered every day. The meal itself was just as memorable. Mrs. Judeh’s mansaf was the best I had ever tasted. What made it special wasn’t just the taste but the care behind it. She told us that she had grown the spices herself and that everything from the meat to the rice had a story behind it. Throughout our trip, we had mansaf three times, yet, each version was different, reflecting the people who made it, the places they came from, and even their personal touches. Before we left, Mr. Judeh told us that if we ever needed anything, whether in Jordan or elsewhere, we could always reach out to him. That offer of support, extended so generously, was a reflection of Jordanian hospitality and how Hoyas will always support the Georgetown community. 

While our trip was filled with historical sites–from the memorial of Bilal ibn Rabah to the Jordan River–Mount Nebo was the most emotional for me because it captured the essence of our class, Faith at a Crossroads. At the entrance was a rock inscribed with the phrase, “God is love, the call of heaven, and the message of the prophets.” It served as a reminder of the crossroads between Islam and Christianity. The view from Mount Nebu was beautiful yet heavy when remembering what land we were on. Less than an hour away, lives were shaped by occupation, separation, and suffering. It felt unjust to admire the landscape without also feeling the weight of the people living within it. I reflected on Prophet Musa (Moses), who, according to both Islamic and biblical tradition, looked into the Promised Land he would never enter. I imagined his longing to enter and his surrender to God’s command. At that moment, I felt connected to his story. Sometimes, faith asks you to accept things that are painful and beyond your understanding. Yet, we are reminded that “God does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286). Even when our final destination is out of sight, we are still exactly where we need to be. Throughout this trip, I was left with the feeling that sometimes we stand at the edge of our own Promised Lands, not meant to cross but still held by God’s love.

Maya Mohosin (C’27) is studying Government and Justice and Peace Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.