Lila Lutfi

Senior Lila Lutfi has earned a Fulbright Study/Research grant to Dubai. She will examine why that city has more autonomy than the rest of the United Arab Emirates, intern at a law firm in Dubai’s international finance center and take Arabic courses at the University of Sharjah. She also will learn about the nation’s history and culture as a volunteer at the Sharjah Art Foundation.

She plans to attend law school after completing her studies as a Fulbright scholar.

The U.S. Student Fulbright Program, a federally sponsored international, educational and cultural exchange, recognizes academic merit and leadership potential. The program promotes mutual understanding between U.S. residents and people in more than 155 countries worldwide. Fulbrights are among the most prestigious awards in higher education.

“This award is a way for me to gain professional and academic legal experience abroad before I attend law school. I am eager to work with international professionals and academics, learning about the UAE and honing my Arabic,” Lutfi said.

Collegiate experience

• Areas of study:
  Graduates in May from UofL’s College of Arts and Sciences with a political science major (law and public policy concentration) and Middle East and Islamic studies minor

Hometown information

• Hometown:
  Louisville
• High school:
  2011 graduate, Ballard
• Parents:
  Amal Jijakli (mother) of Louisville and Bashar Lutfi of Parkland, Fla.