Nine students from St. Lawrence University's Arabic language program and Arabic Club, led by Professor Gisele El Khoury, traveled to Harvard last weekend for the Arab Conference (ACH26), held April 17–19, 2026. Known as the largest Arab conference in North America, ACH26 brings together students, professionals, scholars, and community leaders for three days of programming covering a remarkable breadth of topics: arts and culture, business, healthcare, education, technology, and politics.
The weekend was packed with activity: panels, ACH Talks, a research symposium, a startup competition, a cultural bazaar, and networking roundtables. For the SLU students, it was a chance to sit in the same room as Arab thought leaders and innovators from around the world, the kind of experience that is hard to replicate in a classroom.
Sam Weber presented a research poster titled "The Modern Makhzen," drawing considerable interest from conference attendees. Visitors stopped by throughout the symposium to engage with the work, asking thoughtful questions and sparking conversations that extended well beyond the poster itself.
None of it would have happened without the support of St. Lawrence University and its Office of Academic Affairs. Their willingness to invest in opportunities like this means a great deal to the Arabic Club and to everyone who made the trip.
