1. Intellectual Learning

One of the most interesting things I did in this course was the Bias vs. Othering activity, where we had to differentiate between the two on the board. At first, I didn’t really understand the difference, but after discussing it with my classmates and using Google and AI to research, I finally got it. I learned that bias is more of a personal judgment or preference, and it is done intentionally, while othering is when we push people away or treat them differently because they are not like us. That activity helped me see how both can affect how we view and treat people in daily life.

The Syrian Refugees BBC Game really opened my eyes. I realized how deadly and risky illegal migration can be and how hard it is to make decisions in those situations. It’s easy to judge from the outside, but when you play the game, you start to understand the fear, pressure, and pain that real refugees go through.

The Spent Game also left a strong impression on me. I thought I was doing well in the game, but in the end, I lost all my money because of a sudden car accident. That made me realize how unpredictable life can be, and how one unexpected event can destroy everything someone has worked for. It gave me more empathy for people living paycheck to paycheck.

Finally, the Alternative CV was one of my favorite activities. It helped me explore myself more creatively and emotionally. I talked about things like memories, values, and even dreams that define who I am beyond school or work. It made me realize how experiences shape who I am and how identity is built from little personal moments, not just achievements.

2. Learning About Myself

This course gave me the chance to think more about who I am. Generally, I’m confident about myself and don’t really care about what others think. I know my values, my goals, and what kind of person I want to become.

The Alternative CV activity was a great example of that. Instead of listing grades or achievements, I created something more personal. I called it “Fake it till you make it,” not because I fake who I am, but because I believe in stepping into challenges even before I feel fully ready. That’s how I grow.

When I wrote it, I reflected on my values: loyalty, resilience, and practicality. Loyalty means standing by the people who matter to me, no matter what. And practicality.

I also value ambition. I have big dreams, like owning an old-money-style mansion with Aston Martins lined up or becoming a professional kickboxer one day. But even with these goals, I remind myself to be grateful for what I already have. Sometimes I catch myself always wanting more, but when I see people struggling or living through war, I say “Alhamdulillah” and thank God for what I’ve been given.

I think the Soliya experience might still help me express my ideas confidently and connect my values with different perspectives, but I don’t feel the need to question who I am. I’m already sure of my identity. I just want to keep growing and learning from others while staying true to myself.

3. Learning About Interactions with Others

To be honest, I didn’t find it challenging to interact with people from different backgrounds in this course. The conversations we had in class weren’t very focused on culture; they were more about sharing our thoughts and opinions about general topics.

I’m not really that interested in Soliya, but I do think it could still help me learn how people think differently and what shapes their opinions. I’m curious about what others might think of me and how they will express their views. Even if I’m not very passionate about it, I’ll try to use the experience to practice listening and communicating better with people who see the world differently.

4. The Issue of Palestine

If the topic of Palestine comes up in Soliya, I think there might be some arguments between students because it’s such an emotional and sensitive topic. Personally, I feel very sorry for the Palestinians and I am frustrated with the inhumane actions done by Israel. At the same time, I know I need to study the topic more deeply to understand the history and the full picture of the land.

If I were to direct the discussion, I would try to make sure it stays respectful and based on empathy rather than anger. I’d remind people to practice both empathy and sympathy, to feel for others’ pain but also to try to understand it from their perspective. For me, empathy means trying to imagine what they go through, and sympathy means caring about their suffering.

I think I would need some support in learning more about the history and facts behind the situation so that I can speak about it confidently and respectfully.

 In conclusion, this course helped me think more critically about how I see others, how I see myself, and how I react to difficult situations. It made me realize that empathy and awareness are key to understanding the world, not just knowledge. Even if I’m not fully into Soliya, I believe the experience will still help me grow and see things from new perspectives.