Post by Suha Akil

I am deeply grateful to Boston College for the opportunity to conduct summer research in the Middle East, focusing on Kuwait and its neighboring countries. This project culminated in the successful completion and publication of my report for the University. The journey came with significant challenges, particularly navigating the political sensitivities surrounding citizenship in Kuwait, which limited collaboration with local scholars. Despite these barriers, I conducted extensive fieldwork and produced a comprehensive journalistic and analytical report exploring how nationality shapes access to welfare and opportunity. This research enters an area that has received limited attention in the 21st century, and I am proud to have contributed to filling this gap. Looking ahead, I plan to expand on this work in my senior thesis by examining the intersection of citizenship and urban planning in the region. My sincere thanks to the University Fellowship Department and the Advanced Study Grant Committee for supporting this transformative academic experience.