1. What have you learned intellectually about the topics we’ve covered so far? Please refer to at least four readings, videos, or activities that helped you learn this and explain why. What questions do you still have about these topics, and how might you use your Soliya experience to enrich your knowledge? Insert links to any videos or readings. (4 points)
    1. I have learned about oppression that was mentioned in the 4Is of oppression, ideological, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized. https://www.youtubeeducation.com/watch?v=3WWyVRo4Uas
    2. I have learned the difference between equity and equality throughout the image that tries to explain the difference. I also understood that sometimes there are people who need care more than equity. Equity vs Equality
    3. I also learned that microaggression might affect other feelings. Usually, I used to take it easy and did not notice other feelings regarding something that I told just for fun. The video made me understand that I should watch my words before even starting to talk. https://youtu.be/DWynJkN5HbQ
    4. the I am …. but I am not ….. video: I remember the first time I watched the video, the Muslims edition, in class I was about to laugh cause there were sentences mentioned that were logically incorrect.  https://youtu.be/JMQjyRc7eiY
    5. The good and bad characteristics of a game. I liked the idea of the activity because it is considered a mini-solution requirement encapsulated in the good characteristics that we love to see in a game and bad characteristics that we should avoid in a game.  So when I design the game, I will have a good survey from people who have played many games.
    6. There was also an activity where we were asked how to make a cake. The activity reminded me to always prioritize things. You can’t, for example, be working on too many projects at your peak level and expect success on all of them. You have to prioritize tasks first. This concept is different from the Pareto principle by the way.  As I am writing this assignment, I noticed that I have too many difficult projects to work on and I should prioritize which projects are worth my time. I will probably focus more on Math projects than CS ones.
  2. What have you learned about yourself and the way you view the world so far? What questions do you still have about your own self and how you present yourself to the world? How do you expect your identity to affect your Soliya experience as you interact with people from other cultures? How might you use the Soliya experience to enrich your self-knowledge? (2 points)
    1. Although I am characterized by certain identities, it does not fully represent me. I have also learned that sometimes I need not be biased towards my opinions. I also learned that I do not have empathy for others that much, a point I need to improve.
    2. I expect my direct way of giving out opinions would add more emphasis on telling the direct truth. Such a thing might bother others who do not accept other’s opinions subconsciously.
    3. I guess it would give me another try to think more about my identity in another context. Would it differ? Who knows?
  3. What have you learned in terms of interactions with people who are different from you? What questions do you have about how to become a better “global citizen”? How would you like your Soliya experience to help you learn to be a good “global digital citizen”? How might you use your Soliya experience to enhance your ability to interact with culturally different people? (2 points)
    1. I would not say people who are different from me but I would say with different opinions. There were some opinions that I did not completely agree with. However, I might agree with after some discussions.
    2. However, I want to know more about how to organize a discussion in a time-efficient way. More specifically, when do I know that I need to stop the discussion?
    3. I see the Soliya experience as a way to interact with different thoughts on a broader level.
  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? (2 points)
    1. I won’t talk at all, useless discussions with non-influential people. I can’t convince everyone about the truth. The idea is to tell the truth not to persuade everyone with it. It is supposed that they have already seen what was happening. Another point is I will not be able to present it more articulately.
    2. If I were able to direct the discussion, I would ask them about their opinions on the Holocaust. I will then redirect them to what is happening in Palestine.
    3. If I will direct a discussion, I might need to be articulate. I have noticed throughout the course that I am not articulate enough to deliver my ideas smoothly. Therefore, I would just need to improve that point.
    4. Fun story: A unique story happened to me but I can’t tell the story here in a blog post. I have written it down but later on, decided to delete it.