The first question [American college kids] asked me was, 'What state is Kuwait in?' They thought Kuwait was in America.

I had a story-telling mother; she's written novels and short stories. So I feel like maybe I'm staying alive by telling tales.

There is a congratulatory culture in the Gulf. From birth onwards, there is a culture of giving people trophies as markers of achievement for making it through society. It's cementing allegiance to authority at a very young age.

The first question [American college kids] asked me was, 'What state is Kuwait in?' They thought Kuwait was in America.

I still think you people need to be curious [in order to absorb the culture]. You need to search Uzbekistani pop music.

I feel like I got my first real taste of Caribbean and Cuban culture while I was there. I have quite a sizeable Cuban vinyl collection from Miami thrift stores.

I feel like there is an emphasis against teaching geography in American schools. Americans don't say, "I'm going to Germany." They say, "I'm going to Europe."