By Marley Malenfant/se news editor

SE student Christi Crews’ goal of working for the State Department in the Middle East is a step closer to fruition.

Crews was accepted to a winter break study abroad program in Israel and Palestine offered by George Mason University to give students a chance to study in the Middle East.

Participants study environmental, management and policy issues between Israel, Palestine and Jordan.

Crews said her motivation for wanting to work in the Middle East came from her boyfriend, who died in Afghanistan while serving with the Marine Corps.

“He was my first boyfriend. He had a big impact on my life,” she said. “We broke up when he went overseas. I knew I wanted to be in the military, but when my boyfriend died in Afghanistan, it turned me on to another path. I wouldn’t call it vengeance, but I knew he died for a good cause.”

Crews said she found her passion after she joined the military.

“I joined the Navy in May 2006 but was discharged because of post-traumatic stress disorder,” she said. “I ended up wanting to work as an intelligence specialist, so I knew the Middle East was where I needed to be.”

Ruthan Geer, SE government instructor, said Crews is a natural leader.

“She has a great drive. She found this conference on her own,” Geer said. “She is studying Arabic so she can prepare herself for that culture. She motivates herself.”

SE student Bethany Hiller said Crews’ motivational skills will help her with the program.

“She is always upbeat. She could pick up a student like that,” she said. “She always knew how to lead a team. I know she will do great when she goes overseas.”

SE student Sophia Aguilar said going overseas would give Crews a lasting experience.

“That’s a huge honor,” she said. “This is something that Crews can pass on to her family in the future.”

Crews said she hopes to learn more on the social problems in the Middle East.

“I think people are aware of the things that go on,” she said.

“I don’t know the solution to the problem in the Middle East. But once I finish school and learn what I need to, I think I’ll take a huge step ahead.”