Welcome back to my blog

Section 1

Mays Emad video about understanding stress and emotional well-being (How is Your Heart? Trauma-Informed Pedagogy – Community Building Resources OneHE/Equity Unbound)

What I learned

I learned that many students experience high levels of stress without even realizing it, but Mays Emad took a different approach to discover a thoughtful way to address this. She asked students, ‘How is your heart?’ instead of the usual, repetitive question, ‘How are you?’ Her question encourages students to engage in deeper emotional reflection. In addition, I also learned that stress significantly impacts students’ ability to focus, highlighting the importance of addressing mental well-being.

A question that I have

What are some strategies that teachers or educators can implement to help students manage stress effectively?
I would like to know more about the methods and strategies that can help manage stress in different learning environments.

How would Soliya enrich my knowledge?

I think that Soliya could enrich my understanding of this topic by allowing me to meet and engage in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Through these conversations, I can learn more about how students from different cultures deal with academic stress and challenges.

How language shapes the way we think | Lera Boroditsky (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=RKK7wGAYP6k)

What I learned

From this video, I learned that language shapes our thoughts, perceptions, and ideas, yet most people are unaware of this fact. I also discovered that some languages, such as English, focus on who performed the action. I had assumed all languages functioned this way, but surprisingly, other languages, such as Spanish, focus only on the action itself, which alters the perception of who is responsible for a mistake. Another interesting point was that some languages lack specific words for certain numbers, which affects people’s ability to do math.

A question that I have

How does the absence of certain words in a language affect how speakers perceive other languages? How do non-native speakers feel when they want to use a word that does not exist in the language they are speaking?

How would Soliya enrich my knowledge?

It would also enrich my knowledge by engaging in conversations with people who speak different languages and observing how each person is influenced by their language.

War in Translation: Giving Voice to the Women of Syria by Lina Mounzer (Via: War in Translation: Giving Voice to the Women of Syria ‹ Literary Hub)

What I learned

I learned from this reading how harsh and devastating life is during the impact of war. People, especially Syrian women, have sadly experienced displacement, loss, and torture. At the beginning of the reading, the writer illustrates how difficult it is for a country to be at war by saying, “I have been threatened, beaten, strip-searched, thrown in prison, tortured, and made to watch as my mother knelt weeping at the dirty feet of tribal leaders to beg for any information about my kidnapped father.” She also broke my heart when she said that she “buried seven husbands, three fiancés, fifteen sons, and a two-week-old daughter.” I cannot even imagine how I would feel or react if I were in her place. This reading highlights the emotional and physical harshness of war and the importance of sharing these stories to show how those people suffer.

A question that I have

How does storytelling help war survivors cope with their trauma?

How would Soliya enrich my knowledge?

I hope to meet people who have experienced war firsthand so they can share how they dealt with those harsh times and provide me with a deeper insight.

Day of Learning 2013 – Binna Kandola: Diffusing Bias (Day of Learning 2013 – Binna Kandola: Diffusing Bias | Facing History & Ourselves)

What I learned

This video made me acknowledge the true meaning of the word Bias. I learned that names are a significant part of one’s identity and that misnaming someone can reflect an unconscious bias. The video also emphasized how biases are deeply rooted in people, sometimes without them realizing it. I also learned that everyone has biases, but there are those who recognize them and those who do not, which makes them more likely to be even more biased. The speaker discussed a very important point: how to overcome bias. I discovered that being self-aware is a crucial step in addressing biases. People can also try to focus and tell themselves to stop making biased judgments, which can help reduce them significantly.

A question that I have

How can people know their own unconscious biases if they aren’t aware of them?

How would Soliya enrich my knowledge?

Hopefully, I will not find anyone in Soliya who is biased, but I can observe and see how people can be biased across cultures. This experience will help me recognize different perspectives on bias, learn how others address it, and reflect on my own biases.

Section 2

What I Have Learned About Myself?

I have learned that my perspectives on the world are shaped by my background, culture, and personal experiences. I have become more aware of most of my biases, and I have also learned that I tend to see things from a cultural perspective. However, exposure to different viewpoints challenges me to think more openly.

Questions I Still Have About Myself

I wonder how much of my perspective is influenced by external factors rather than my own independent thinking. Another thing I am curious about is how my unconscious biases may still influence my actions, even when I try to be self-aware.

How My Identity Might Affect My Soliya Experience?

I know that my identity, including everything about my background, will shape how I interact with others in Soliya. The way I express myself and how I react to different opinions are all influenced by my experiences. At the same time, I am completely open to encountering perspectives that challenge my beliefs and discover other cultural viewpoints. I hope this experience helps me grow not just in how I understand others but also in how I understand myself.

How I Might Use the Soliya Experience to Enrich My Self-Knowledge?

I can engage in conversations with people from different cultures and observe how their perspectives differ from mine. By hearing diverse viewpoints, I hope to gain new insights into how I communicate and how I can become more self-aware.

Section 3

What I Have Learned About Interacting with Different People?

I have learned that being open-minded, respectful, and willing to communicate with different people is key to meaningful conversations. Listening carefully and asking thoughtful questions can help overcome cultural differences and bring people closer.

A Question About Becoming a Better Global Citizen

How do I balance between staying true to my values while being open to diverse perspectives?

How I Want My Soliya Experience to Help Me as a Global Digital Citizen?

I hope to improve my communication skills and engage with different cultures. I also want to see how digital interactions can shape mutual understanding and connections.

How I Will Use My Soliya Experience to Improve Cross-Cultural Interactions?

I aim to develop my communication skills and become more adaptable when interacting with people from different cultures. This experience will also help me communicate more effectively in global discussions, both online and offline.

Section 4

What do you expect would happen if the issue of Palestine came up in Soliya? What would you like to do if you were able to direct the discussion? What kind of support might you need?

I would expect it to be an emotional and political discussion, with different perspectives shaped by each person’s background and experience. While disagreements may arise, it could also be an opportunity to gain insight into how different cultures think and feel about this issue. If I were leading the discussion, I would promote a respectful and open dialogue, ensuring that everyone has the space to speak freely without interruptions. I would also encourage participants to rely on credible sources to avoid rumors and misinformation. I might also need guidance from facilitators on handling sensitive conversations like this one.