This week, The Gazelle hopped over a milestone. After starting off as a thought bubble shared between NYU Abu Dhabi alumnus Alistair Blacklock and NYU alumna Amanda Randone in March 2013, the publication has reached its 100th issue, publishing over 1700 articles from all corners of the world and every inhabited continent.

As a publication that relies solely upon the efforts of undergraduate students, we think this occasion is worth celebrating. The Gazelle has always sought to be the platform where NYU Abu Dhabi students can express their views and their take on the world. This is why we’ve had more than 300 authors over the past three years. Together, the current staff has come up with a few of our favorite past articles, both to give current readers a sense of where The Gazelle has grown from, and also to give older readers a reminder of how far we can go in the future. Published in The Labor Issue, Lens: Faces of Abu Dhabi is a photo essay of NYUAD’s old neighbors near Downtown Campus and Madinat Zayed. Rethinking Women in Literature by NYUAD alumna Zoë Hu brings to light the prevalent sexism in literary analysis, emphasizing how female characters are reduced to mere archetypes, never acquiring the space and place in intellectual history that they deserve. Gulf Elite’s Negative Portrayal of Women by NYUAD alumna Emma Leathley is an example of how The Gazelle has served as a platform for conversations on topics relevant to NYUAD and the wider, younger community of the UAE. Sunday Sketches, III by NYUAD senior Sebastián Rojas Cabal was published at a time when the relationship between a section of NYU came into conflict with the UAE regarding visa regulations, sparking conversations on the three campuses and blurring the lines between academia and activism.

One of our favorite memories is publishing The Worldcup Issue in July 2014, working across time zones and cities, courtesy of the Google Drive — we had articles coming in from 20 cities including Rio de Janeiro and Munich. We’ve sought to share the experiences that NYUAD students have gained during their own journeys, both in their hometowns and beyond.

Despite our international outlook, The Gazelle has always sought to make Abu Dhabi feel like a home. We’re inextricably linked to our location in the UAE, whether we publish from Room 526 of Sama Tower in Downtown Abu Dhabi or from room E-238 of our Campus Center on Saadiyat Island. Our location brings with itself certain challenges, such as navigating between press laws and cultural customs but also responsibly expressing views of a diverse student body without sidelining or excluding anyone. This also comes with rewards in moments of growth, appreciation and acknowledgment. We are committed to making a space for independent student journalism in the UAE.

It’s time to look toward the future. Now, more than ever, there is a need for constructive and thoughtful voices to be heard from around the world. The Gazelle hopes that even in its small corner of the world, it can be a place where that can happen.