1)Throughout the course, I started to understand that concepts like identity, bias and othering are not just theoretical ideas, but things that actually shape the way we think and see the world everyday. I really think that Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RKK7wGAYP6k) is quite impactful. The idea that stood out the most for me is how easy it is to reduce people into one story and how dangerous that can be.

What affected me the most is that I realized I am not only someone who is affected by single stories, but also someone who creates them without noticing. For example, we often think that we understand a country or a group of people based on what we see online or in the media, but in reality we are just seeing one side. This reflects the same idea discussed in the BBC article about Syrian refugees (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32057601), where complex regions like the Middle East are often reduced to conflict, ignoring everything that defines people’s lives. For example, Arab Muslims are often perceived as terrorists based on what people hear from the media and their governments, when in reality, that is not true because no one is exactly the same and you cannot put everybody in one basket.

Another video that effected me is how language shapes the way we think (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RKK7wGAYP6k).

There is a part where Boroditsky talks about how a language that is currently being used is missing numbers. This made think If one culture couldn’t discover algebra because their language is missing numbers, then what our language misses and what we have yet to discover due to that. The video made me think deeply about code shifting between languages and how thought and action can change. This quote especially grabbed my attention, “to have a second language is to have a second soul” -Charlemagne. My brother’s wife is Nigerian and her first language is English but she does speak her tribe’s mother tongue and it’s impressive how her physical reactions shift and her intonation as speaks to match the language she is using. It’s like she is a completely different person. Same thing happens to me whenever I switch between speaking English and Arabic.

The trauma-informed pedagogy article (https://onehe.org/resources/trauma-informed-pedagogy/) also changed the way I think about people’s behaviour. It made me realize that people react in certain ways not because they are “wrong,” but because of experiences we cannot see. This made me think more before judging others, because I started to understand that everyone carries something we do not know about.

Similarly, the Global Voices article (https://globalvoices.org/2018/05/28/how-african-is-northern-africa/) made me question how identity is defined. It showed me that identity is not fixed or simple, but rather something layered and complex. This connects to the idea that there is never just one story that can fully explain who someone is.

Even though I learned a lot, I still find myself questioning how we can completely escape these biases. Is it even possible to fully avoid forming a “single story,” or is it something we just have to constantly be aware of? I think the Soliya experience will help me answer this, because instead of just reading or watching, I will actually be exposed to real people and real conversations.

2)This course made me reflect on myself more than I expected. I realized that I like to think of myself as open-minded, but in reality, I still carry assumptions that I never questioned before. These assumptions come from my environment, my education, and even the people around me.

I also started to notice how my identity shapes the way I think. Being an Egyptian student at AUC, I grew up in a certain cultural and social setting that influences how I interpret situations. Sometimes, I assume that my way of seeing things is the normal way, without realizing that it is just one perspective out of many.

One thing I am still unsure about is how I present myself to others. Do I simplify my identity when I talk to people? Do I unintentionally give them a single story about who I am? This is something I want to explore more during Soliya, because I will be interacting with people who might see me in completely different ways.

I think this experience will push me to understand myself better, not just in terms of where I come from, but also in terms of how I communicate my identity to others.

3)In terms of interacting with others, I learned that understanding people is not as simple as just being respectful. It requires effort, patience, and most importantly, listening. I realized that sometimes we listen just to respond, not to actually understand.

This course also made me realize that discomfort is necessary. Talking about bias, identity, or inequality is not always easy, but avoiding these conversations does not solve anything. If anything, it keeps the single stories alive.

At the same time, I still struggle with knowing how to respond in difficult conversations. For example, what should I do if someone says something I strongly disagree with? Do I challenge them, or do I stay silent to avoid conflict? I think Soliya will help me learn how to deal with these situations in a balanced way.

I want to become someone who can communicate honestly but also respectfully, especially in a global digital environment where misunderstandings can happen easily.

4)

If topics like Palestine or conflicts in the Middle East come up in Soliya, I think the conversation will be very emotional. These are not just political issues, they are personal for many people, including myself.

I expect that people will come with strong opinions, and sometimes those opinions might clash. If I were able to guide the discussion, I would try to make sure that everyone feels heard, without letting the conversation turn into an argument. I would focus more on understanding different perspectives rather than trying to prove who is right or wrong.

At the same time, I know this will not be easy. I might feel emotional or defensive, especially if something personal is mentioned. That is why I think I would need support from facilitators to help manage the discussion and keep it respectful.

Overall, I see this as a challenge, but also as an opportunity. It is a chance to move beyond assumptions and actually engage with people who see the world differently. And I think that is where real learning happens.