Azad Mohammed

Maps were Azad’s way of understanding and knowing the unfamiliar world around him, outside of his hometown in Boise, Idaho and his place of birth in Kurdistan. He has always been intrigued by them in any format, either on screen or on paper; the power they can hold is central to his motivation to obtain a master’s in geospatial technologies. Realizing he is part of this global world and that he somehow fits somewhere, he has always been adamant to take that next step outside of his comfort zone. His countries of choice reflect that statement: Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Alumni Reflections

What is a favorite memory from your Bonderman?

“A memory from my Bonderman that I won’t forget is meeting 3 types of Kurdish people who lived in Jerusalem. There were Kurdish Israelis I met who told me about life back then in Kurdistan who were neighbors of my grandparents in my village. Kurdish by ancestry Palestinians who arrived to the area during Salahaddin times (12th century). And Kurdish refugees who recently moved to Jerusalem in the 90s to escape persecution.”

What are you doing now?

“I work for the city of Seattle making public facing maps! I’m always planning my next trip and meeting fellows who understand me better than some of my best friends do.”