Hello all! My name is Amear Alhadidi and I provide administrative and operational support for MSL students, faculty, and staff. I am a great first point of contact and I will either answer your questions or point you in the right direction to get your questions answered. I’ve been with the program since March 2019, and I enjoy working with the program’s diverse student body. The best aspects of my job are connecting with students and working behind the scenes to make the student experience the best it can be. I adore being in an academic environment, especially here at the Law School. As an eternal student myself, I am always soaking up new information and appreciate all of the people I meet. My advice to MSL students would be to take advantage of your time here and do the most you can! Attend events, join a student group, tour around the city, meet with professors, and form relationships with your fellow students.
Prior to joining the MSL team, I worked as an administrator for a local government agency in Las Vegas and as a communications officer for a human rights organization in Amman, Jordan. I earned my BA in Political Science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). I empathize with the student experience as I am currently a part-time student in the Master’s in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) program at Northwestern School of Professional Studies (SPS).
I was born in Chicago and spent some of my childhood here, but then I moved to North Las Vegas. I moved back to Chicago in April 2018 and I relish living in the city. I can now appreciate four seasons again and the delights that come with living in a big city. I am originally from the East Rogers Park neighborhood and I moved back there when I returned to Chicago. Let me know if you’re ever in the neighborhood!
In my free time, I’m probably biking or at the gym trying to box a heavy bag. At home I’m most likely working on stuff for my classes and listening to music (mostly hip-hop). I enjoy reading and spending way too much time surfing the web. Here are some of my favorite spots in Chicago:
Biking
The best way to get around Chicago is biking! Chicago is surprisingly really flat and it’s easy to get around with shared roads and bike lanes throughout the city. The Lakefront Trail is the best trail in the city with a view of Lake Michigan and nature throughout. A number of bike maps can be found here. If you didn’t bring your bike, no worries, there is a bike share program here in Chicago and your Wildcard gets you a discount!
Eating
Admittedly, I prefer cooking at home, but I do enjoy the occasional pizza, gyro, and other Chicago staples. For pizza (deep dish, thin, and stuffed), I’m looking at my local pizza spot, JB Alberto’s! I am biased, but it has been on Chicago’s Best and it is one of the best local spots in the city. For pizza (deep dish) at a Chicago chain, I’m looking at Giordano’s or Lou Malnati’s.
For gyros, since I’ve tried this spot (Quick Bite), I haven’t gone anywhere else. It’s a mom and pop place that does takeout only, but it’s worth grabbing a bite to eat if you’re ever near Lincoln Square. For Italian Beefs, you can easily go to Buona. For a traditional Chicago-style Hot Dog, save your money and go to any Chicago supermarket and grab a package of Vienna Beef Hot Dogs (it has to be Vienna Beef) and buy all of the trimmings to make yourself a traditional Chicago Hot Dog. If you insist on going out, go to Portillo’s or any of the mom and pops around the city like The Wiener’s Circle.
Museums, shows, etc.
My favorite museum is the Field Museum! Since I was a kid, I’ve enjoyed going there. The Harold Washington Library is another favorite spot of mine. It’s a beautiful library in the heart of downtown. If you haven’t visited Millennium Park and the Bean (Cloud Gate), you have to do it at least once. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is a great place to go and catch a show. For vintage clothes/sneakers, Round Two Chicago is the shop to visit.
