I am Ebrahim Bamanger, a first-generation college student. Coming from Tarim, a small city in Hadhramout, Yemen, I was the first member of my family who was able to enroll in a college and gain a bachelor's degree. Doing doctoral studies in the United States, seemed an unreachable dream. Thanks to Hadhramout Foundation doors have opened wider for educational aspirations. After completing my bachelor's degree with excellence in Yemen, I thought that I need to pursue my graduate studies to better learn about literacy and language education, to better educate future teachers to implement up-to-date teaching practices, especially since the Yemeni curriculum has not been developed for decades. Fortunately, the Hadhramout Foundation was there to provide equal opportunity for every young educator. 
 

Joining the Ph.D. program at the School of Education with a focus on Literacy Culture, and Language Education, as well as Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University Bloomington might be the best fit for my academic career aspirations, our Hadhrami community’s needs, and Yemen in general. This program has been preparing me with the finest training, which is critical to address several educational and social challenges that Yemen has been facing due to the underdeveloped education system and recently the continuous conflict. Majoring in these areas has enabled me to develop a more inclusive perspective to take the lead in the badly needed education reform that I hope to be part of, once the conflict has ceased.
 

Research is an essential component of humanity's flourishment. Being sponsored by the Hadhramout Foundation, I was able to channel some of my time to conduct research to address gaps in areas of technology educational integration, curriculum applications, and literacy studies, to ultimately publish about ten studies in well-recognized journals. 
 

I believe that education is the right answer to many problems in Yemen. Addressing the educational system, the current curriculum has not been developed for more than three decades! Educators believe that the goals of the curriculum should include addressing the societal challenges, solving the current problems, and predicting future needs. Unfortunately, this curriculum meets none of these ultimate objectives. Therefore, I am eager to lead an educational team to launch a program for curriculum evaluation and development. 
 

Reflecting on the miserable situation that resulted in the current armed conflict in Yemen, I think war does not only impact the economy but the community’s integrity as well. Our country has been torn apart due to political and regional disputes. Sadly, practices of racism, segregation, and discrimination, among others, are expected to intensify. To stand against these issues, I intend to set a comprehensive plan to help the community navigate throughout this hard time via media, community activities, and education. For instance, courses such as critical literacy should be integrated into the school syllabus to help prepare the future generation to develop good citizenship. 
 

In conclusion, earning a Ph.D. in LCLE & IST would advance my academic preparation by adding new skills required to effectively contribute to the Hadhrami community and help meet such expectations in terms of the whole country.