ًًWhen I first joined this course i thought it would be about culture and identity but in a basic way. For example a few readings and class discussions, but as we went on with the semester and until this point it made me realize how much it pushed me to think deeper about myself and the world around me. I never expected myself to sign up in online programs that makes us discuss topics with people from other countries and I never expect it to challenge me and my personality in any way.

1. What I’ve learned intellectually

One if the readings that stayed with me the most was Lina Mounzer’s “finding truth and Beauty”. it completely changes how i think about translation. I used to see it as a very interesting thing about the arabic language but i never thought about it thoroughly. However, now i realize that translation is something emotional, cultural and very human. She shows that every translator brings part of themselves into the text. I remember asking myself when reading can a translator ever keep the writer’s full meaning, or does their own personality change it even slightly?

When the author describes how words like Shahed (witness), Mashhad (scene), and Shaheed (martyr) all come from the same Arabic root, it really touched me. I’ve always found Arabic to be very expressive and full of emotion. On word can hold a whole story of memory, pain, and sacrifice. I honestly felt proud to be an Arab after reading because it showed how deeply our language carries history, meaning, and identity. It also made me wonder how much emotion gets lost when these word are translated into English. Maybe the meaning changes and maybe as Lina Monzer says translation gives the words a new life.


The video “The 4 I’s of Oppression” was another major turning point for me. it broke down oppression into four levels, internalized, interpersonal, institutional and ideological, the video made me see how they connect. i always thought oppression was just about personal actions or about political systems, but the video showed me that it starts inside people too. for instance, when someone believes they are”less than” others because of stereotypes, its called internalized oppression. it made me reflect on how even small interactions or jokes can continue the unfairness. It made me acknowledge my bias and my beliefs first then it also made me notice it when i find bias or inequality to try and think about which I it belongs to.

Another piece that stood out to me was the short video “What Kind of Asian Are You?” because it showed how small comments or questions can reveal deep cultural bias. At first, it seems like a simple conversation, but it actually shows how people often make assumptions about others identity and belonging. The woman in the video is treated like she doesn’t really belong, even though she clearly does, and that made me think about how many people experience this type of microaggression daily it made me more considerate while talking to others about topics that are important as this one. I never really thought about it and i never experienced it before so that’s why it added to my knowledge. It connected to what we learned about “othering” how people are unconsciously made to feel different or foreign. It also made me reflect on how I interact with others, and how I should be more mindful about the questions I ask or the assumptions I make. It showed me that empathy starts with listening and being open to someone’s story rather than trying to define them.

The Empathy Toy activity was another moment I’ll never forget. seeing my peers either blindfolded or hand tied and having to build something based only on what another blindfolded person is describing, while me and the other group members cannot physically help or even by explaining too until almost the end made me realize how much it requires trust and patience and communication . I felt frustrated, but also understood and thought about how people who live with disabilities or communication barriers might feel every day. It taught me that empathy isn’t just about feeling for someone  it’s about being willing to listen, slow down, and adapt which is something i am really grateful for learning.

I honestly feel like these were the things that added most to my knowledge and made me see the world differently, and I also believe they helped me become more aware, thoughtful, and empathetic when it comes to understanding identity, language, and how people experience bias in everyday life. 

Through my Soliya experience, I hope to keep exploring these ideas by listening to how people from different backgrounds express emotions, identity, and struggles in their own ways. Just like how translation gives words new life, every conversation in Soliya helps me see how meaning shifts across cultures and how communication itself becomes a kind of translation. It allows me to connect what we learned about language, empathy, and bias to real people and real stories, which I believe will continue shaping how I understand others and express myself.


2. What I’ve learned about myself

This course made me realize that I tend to observe quietly. I like to listen and understand how others think and share their opinions before I speak. I often take more time to process what’s being said, which sometimes makes me hesitate to share my thoughts right away. Through this course, I’ve learned that this reflective side of me can be a strength it allows me to understand people and situations more deeply. At the same time, I’ve also learned that sharing my voice matters, even if my thoughts aren’t fully formed yet. it’s a balance i’m still trying to learn. In Soliya, we did an activity where we had to narrow seven identity words down to three. I chose Muslim, Hijabi, and Egyptian. It made me realize how much these parts of me shape how I communicate and see others and also i express myself and perceive myself.

3. What I’ve learned about interacting with others

Through this course and Soliya, I’ve learned that if i communicate with different people i have to acknowledge that people from different backgrounds requires openness and curiosity. At first, I was nervous to speak because I didn’t want to say the wrong thing, but as the sessions went on, I realized how much I could learn just by listening. I noticed that even when we came from very different cultures, many of our values and struggles were similar. It taught me that being a good global citizen means respecting differences while also finding shared ground. I hope to keep improving how I communicate with people from other cultures by asking thoughtful questions and really trying to understand their perspectives.

4. If the issue of Palestine came up in Soliya

If the issue of Palestine came up in Soliya, I think it would be discussed respectfully because everyone in my group has been very rational and supportive so far. We have people from Lebanon, Morocco, Mexico (but based in the U.S.), Pakistan, Nigeria, and Egypt, and each person listens carefully before speaking, and also try to encourage others to speak about sensitive topics especially about islam and being a muslim and the extreme stereotypes that comes with it, they were all ears and encouraging a girl to speak about it and actually wanted to learn more. I also do not think anyone would make any uneducated claims in such a topic, but regardless i think it will be heard out and responded to respectfully. 

Overall, this course and Soliya really helped me grow and see things differently. I learned a lot about identity, language, empathy, and how bias can show up in small ways. I also became more aware of myself and how my background shapes the way I talk and understand others. Speaking with people from different countries showed me that even when we come from different cultures, we still share a lot of the same values and feelings. I think I’ve learned to listen more, be open, and not be afraid to speak about things that matter. I want to keep using what I learned to connect with people respectfully and with empathy.