The Soliya experience was one I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did. Although participating in this program was a requirement for my class, it allowed me to learn many skills I believe I will use for the rest of my life. I had the opportunity to interact with people from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds, which not only broadened my perspective but also revealed how similar we all can be.

The first few sessions consisted mainly of open discussions and ice-breaker activities. These felt essential, as they allowed me to understand my teammates better and look past any existing stereotypes. Following these initial sessions, we were asked to interview two community members using the question my team developed: “How did your upbringing shape the way you communicate and view cultural diversity and differences?” I believe this is a truly important question, and it immediately opened the door for deep conversations with people I didn’t know well.

The first person I interviewed was Zahra, a close friend in college. She explained that she grew up in the UK, where she felt there was a culture of non-judgment and support for uniqueness. She contrasted this with her perception of Nigeria, where the culture felt very competitive and self-serving. For example, she feels that in the UK, people are more genuine and less “fake,” while the underlying competition in Nigeria and Egypt prevents people from feeling fully comfortable and supported. Zahra’s upbringing in different cultures has helped her easily communicate with people from various backgrounds, as she was exposed to many nationalities. She now appreciates all cultures and doesn’t focus on differences. She also noted her willingness to change her stereotyped perceptions, citing her experience of expecting racism from Egyptians but encountering very little. This interview emphasized how our initial perception of someone can severely change how we treat them and shape our first impressions. Because Zahra is a close friend with whom I often have deep cultural conversations, this interview felt very natural.

The second person I interviewed named Shahd, was a friend I had only recently made, so the dynamic was different. Shahd shared that she grew up experiencing war in Yemen and was displaced more than ten times over a short period. Due to having to move so frequently, she finds it difficult to form and maintain long-term friendships or easily trust people. Consequently, her upbringing makes it challenging for her to communicate with new people in general, regardless of their culture. However, she views cultural differences not as an obstacle but as a natural part of life, treating everyone equally. Since I didn’t know Shahd well beforehand, this interview helped me understand her better and allowed me to be more empathetic. It was interesting how a single question led to a deep discussion about the repercussions of war, especially for someone at a young age. This experience also strengthened my interviewing skills, as I learned to adapt my approach and emotions based on the sensitive content my interviewee was sharing, rather than conducting every interview the same way.

The process of engaging with diverse perspectives throughout the Soliya program was incredibly interesting and fruitful. I initially entered the program thinking I already possessed sufficient interpersonal skills, but I was wrong. I had never before been in a situation where I could discuss a topic with so many people from vastly different cultures. I usually engage with people who have similar views, so it was extremely enlightening to understand how a topic I thought I knew well could be interpreted in many different ways. For instance, we once discussed gender equality in different cultures. The students, particularly those in America, discussed how most people still question women in “male-dominated areas.” I questioned this, as American media often portrays extreme openness and support for gender equality in all fields. They explained that while this might be the public portrayal, it isn’t always the reality. I was surprised, realizing that the media can sometimes prioritize what they believe will be best received by the public over the actual truth. I believe the questions I asked helped expand the discussion and gave everyone an opportunity to contribute. A challenge I faced, however, was that some points I shared were not conveyed clearly, and I felt my teammates might have misunderstood my intended meaning.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my Soliya experience for several reasons. Firstly, I gained essential skills in interacting with people from different countries with various perspectives. Secondly, I significantly improved my interviewing skills, learning how to change my approach based on the interviewee. I also learned to be more open and less afraid of judgment. There was a noticeable difference between the first and last session over the five weeks. I believe we all began to let our guard down, which led to much more engaging discussions because most of us weren’t afraid to share our views, even if they were different. A challenge I faced, however, was that I sometimes felt I couldn’t express my opinions properly or in an easily understandable way, which worried me as I might have inadvertently perpetuated a stereotype. Also, I sometimes held back from fully sharing my opinion if I sensed a unanimous opposing view. One of my favorite discussions was about holidays and traditions, as it gave me a glimpse into everyone’s lives and personalities. I genuinely believe this program has changed me for the better, and I would love to participate again.