Born and raised in California to Syrian parents, Dania Ayah Alkhouli has always had the value of education impressed upon her, as well as the opportunity to cash-in on that value. Already close to completing her master’s in public policy and administration at the age of 21, she’s also a published poet, with one book of her work circulating in various markets under the title “91 at 19.”

When did you start writing poetry?
I started when I was around 12. In the beginning, it was always poetry, but I’ve recently moved on to writing stories, I’m working on a novel based on real events now as we speak. I’ve always liked writing, and I always look forward to the written assignments in most of my classes.

What style do you follow when writing, and what kinds of things do you write about?
I don’t really think I have a style that I follow. It’s always about the way it flows out of me, sometimes it’s organized blocks with a rhyme scheme, and other times it’s chaotic chunks with more internal rhythm than outward cohesion. Some topics I cover are love and relationships, and others are about nature, friends, the subliminal and religious aspects of my life.

Where do you get the inspiration for most of your works?
A lot of it is from real-life experience: one of the poems I wrote was about rejection from my first crush, and the devastation I felt afterwards. Much of it is also a way for me to process my thoughts, such as the poem on atheism that I wrote, in a bid to understand their perspective. As an active member of the Muslim and Arab communities where I live, I did face some opposition because of some of the topics I raised, some people thinking it was inappropriate of me to talk about relationships or the misunderstandings that occur within religion.

On the other hand, by publishing my book, I had several people come forward with poems they had hidden away, and were now willing to have looked over. It seems an odd transition for a writer and a poet to be studying something as mundane as public administration.

I mentioned I was active in my community, and I volunteer whenever I can with groups and organizations that help those communities. One organization, Access California Services, offers social services, financial aid, health insurance, courses in English as a second language and counseling to the Arab American community. I was also part of an Islamic Saturday school that taught Arabic, Quran and Islamic studies to 400 students.

Both of these were excellent initiatives that worked hard to help their community, but unfortunately they still suffered from mismanagement. At the school, I was brought on as an assistant, but ultimately I served as an office manager, in charge of registration, communicating with teachers, organizing schedules, planning events, purchasing food, and a lot of secretarial work. Access provided excellent services but their reach was limited because they weren’t going after the grants that would allow them to have the budget for better administration. Getting a public administration degree would mean these initiatives would have better organization and therefore better services.

To what do you attribute the pace and the direction you’ve set for your life?
I would have to say it’s my mother’s example and encouragement. I like to say she wears many different hats since she’s a public speaker and educator, and has always been heavily involved in volunteering. Many people tell her that maybe I’m too young or I’m moving too fast, but she keeps me going and this has always made me really happy.

The person who has impressed you throughout history: Abu Becker As-Siddiq

The person who has impressed you in your personal life: My mother

I value: Honesty and strength

I’m fascinated by: Unique and different things because everything can be an inspiration

I would walk a thousand miles to: End human suffering

My favorite author: Edgar Allen Poe

Book I’m reading now: The Kite Runner

My favorite quote: “God is in the little things.”

Three traits I admire in people: Modesty, bravery, open-mindedness

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• Sam Dalla: Was the Chinese model that good?

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