ABOUT SARAH SHOURD

Sarah Shourd, 33, has been living with Shane in Damascus, where she teaches English and is learning Arabic. She previously taught as part of the Iraqi Student Project, a program which gives Iraqi students living in Damascus the skills to continue their education in US schools. She was on a break from her teaching responsibilities for a week, and she and Shane decided to take a hiking trip with their friends Josh and Shon. Sarah has written articles on travel and social issues reflecting her time in Syria, Ethiopia, Yemen and Mexico. Sarah, who has an older brother and sister, was born in Oak Park, Illinois and grew up in Los Angeles, California. She attended UC Berkeley in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lived after graduating until moving to Damascus with Shane.

FAMILY & FRIENDS SHARE THOUGHTS & STORIES ABOUT SARAH:

Letters to Sarah Bean: The idea for this site came from her mother Nora’s very intense desire to communicate with her daughter. Nora hopes everyone who also cares, misses, and longs for her daughter’s return will join in and post comments, messages, and pictures for and about Sarah. Letters to Sarah, or “Bean” (her childhood nickname,) is a place where all of those who miss her can post messages for her while she is being detained in Iran.

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IN HER OWN WORDS:

Escape From Iraq: A Muslim Family Finds Solace in Ramadan by Sarah Shourd

Brave Eyes, Laughing Hearts: My First Encounter with Yemen by Sarah Shourd

Families Shout Their Love Across Minefields in Golan Heights by Sarah Shourd