Emily Bernstein

B.A. Boston University, International Relations with a concentration in Middle East and North African studies.

Emily grew up in Westchester County, New York, and found Where There Be Dragons at
her high school summer and gap year fair. After her sophomore year of high school, Emily
traveled as a student of Dragons to Jordan, which led to her love of and further curiosity
about the MENA region. After returning home and reflecting on her Dragons group and
homestays, Emily realized the power of hands-on experience to elevate perspective, and
she wanted to employ that principle to foster new relationships both within her local
community and abroad.

Stemming from a desire to learn more and grow after her trip to Jordan, Emily pursed
International Relations at Boston University with a focus in the Middle East and North
African region. Yearning for hands-on experience in what she was learning, she studied
abroad at Haifa University in Israel, where she took part in conflict resolution and refugee
studies.

Back in Boston, she got involved with the local community, working with the American
Cancer society in Massachusetts to help put on the Making Strides of Boston event and
volunteering at the Greater Boston food bank. After university, Emily worked as a legislative
assistant to a government affairs executive working on organizational campaigns for social
equity initiatives in the United States.

Since her summer travel abroad with Dragons, Emily has continued to grow within the
Dragons community by acting as a representative and resource for prospective students at
high school gap year fairs. She has also assisted at Dragon’s staff orientation by working in
the kitchen. Through these opportunities, Emily has formed strong bonds with incredible
instructors who have helped her further understand the importance of looking at the world
through a global lens.

When not working, Emily loves hiking, camping, and cooking with friends.