BrieAnn Hanley ’22's Journey to Jordan
BrieAnn Hanley '22, empowered by the courage she gained during her time at CDS, traveled to Jordan during her senior year of college for an intensive Arabic language program. Expecting to learn the language, she found something far more profound: a seven-month, life-changing immersion that taught her about community, global perspective, and the power of commonality.
BrieAnn's Journey to Jordan
BrieAnn Hanley’s journey to Jordan didn’t begin on a plane, it began years earlier at Carrollwood Day School, where curiosity, a love of learning, and a global mindset were instilled in every student. At CDS, she developed the critical thinking and cultural awareness skills that would later prepare her for experiences far beyond the classroom. Those early lessons laid the foundation for her senior year at Tulane University, where she is majoring in finance with a minor in Arabic and has earned an Energy Certificate through the Freeman School of Business, a path inspired in part by her father’s work in the Middle East with Exxon. Her time at Tulane would eventually carry her across continents, immersing her not just in language, but in the lives, traditions, and daily realities of people in the Middle East.
During her senior year, she was given a unique opportunity to truly experience a new perspective firsthand, learning not just a language but the culture, traditions, and daily lives of the people around her. From May through December 2025, BrieAnn was immersed in an intensive, accelerated Arabic language program. She began her travels spending 10 days in Palestine due to an invitation from the Director of Tulane Hillel to speak about the conflict in the Middle East. Her journey continued through Turkey before she eventually arrived in Jordan. She even spent some time exploring Egypt with her father who came to visit in the middle of her semester overseas.
Despite the tension in the region, BrieAnn shared that she felt safe in Jordan, even as “it was always in the back of everyone's mind that a war was going on.” She spent her first three months living in a hostel, followed by three months with a host family, experiences that shaped her understanding of both independence and community. At the hostel, evenings were often spent gathered around the table, sharing stories with people from all over the world, each bringing different backgrounds and beliefs. Those conversations, she said, were some of the most meaningful. They revealed just how much we all have in common.
Her days were filled with fully immersive Arabic classes, where learning went far beyond grammar. She studied culture, traditions, and personal stories, gaining a deeper appreciation for the people and history around her. The walk home from school became its own kind of classroom. “Kids would join me on my 3.5-mile route home just to practice English while I spoke to them in Arabic.”
She was also struck by the environment within her school, which was operated by roughly 80 percent women, with nearly all of her teachers being Palestinian. Being surrounded by strong, knowledgeable women while studying during such a historic and complex moment made the experience even more powerful. At times, the familiarity of daily life stood out in surprising ways. She even noted that parts of downtown reminded her of Bourbon Street, a small but meaningful reminder of being back at Tulane.
Still, the emotional weight of the experience was undeniable. Seeing firsthand how deeply people were affected by the conflict left a lasting impact. During her final month, as homesickness set in, her support system from CDS became more important than ever. Her best friend, Alyssa Hargan ’22, called her every day as she made her long walk home, offering a sense of comfort and connection across the miles.
“It was my CDS family that helped me pull through,” she shares.
BrieAnn describes her time in Jordan as the most life-changing experience of her life, one that not only shaped her academic path but also strengthened her independence, resilience, and confidence.
She credits the experience to the foundational courage and global perspective cultivated during her time at CDS, allowing her to step into a complex, immersive environment with an open mind. Ultimately, she expresses deep gratitude for Mrs. Benedetti and Mrs. Stanley, who gave her the confidence to learn without fear and, most importantly, the vital skill of truly listening.
A Reflection on Her Time at CDS
BrieAnn Hanley ’22 has always been drawn to understanding the world far beyond her own perspective. It was her time at CDS that she credits for developing a global mindset and a thoughtful ability to see and appreciate different perspectives.
“Being a student at CDS from 2018 to 2022 was truly life‑defining. I experienced everything from being part of a State Championship basketball team to navigating the sudden shift into lockdown during the pandemic. CDS was so much more than a school, it became a family. I became part of the Patriot community and built relationships with people I still cherish and stay connected with today.”
One of the most positive aspects of her time at CDS, she recalls, was the community’s openness and willingness to engage in real conversations.
“I loved the hilarious and sometimes heated debates in homeroom, especially when Mrs. Hall tried to mediate between Ash Ervine and me. It was a place where curiosity, dialogue, and different perspectives were encouraged. Small daily interactions also left a lasting impression: slipping into the back of the kitchen to talk with Rod Hart while he cooked, walking to the front to laugh with his wife, Gwan, or stopping by Officer Miguel’s office and grabbing Jolly Ranchers from Mrs. Nolen’s desk. These people weren’t just CDS staff; they were my family, and those everyday moments are why CDS will always feel like home.”
One of her favorite traditions, meeting and getting to know her Patriot Buddy, helped build connections across grade levels and furthered that sense of belonging.
BrieAnn’s experiences at CDS didn’t just shape her school years, they shaped the lens through which she views the world. The curiosity, empathy, and sense of community she developed as a Patriot became the foundation for exploring new cultures, embracing diverse perspectives, and approaching challenges with confidence. Whether navigating life abroad or reflecting on her roots, she carries her time at CDS with her every step, a reminder that home is not just a place, but a way of seeing and engaging with the world.
We love sharing our alumni achievements with the CDS community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli (Gauthier) Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!