Joseph Fasheh
August 05, 2024 - 01:17 PM
Joseph Fasheh is a Political Science major at Mt SAC. He took Arabic 1 and Arabic 2 from Professor
Hammad. He received the prestigious Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) and spent the summer of 2024 in Morocco.
Joseph's language journey:
I come from an Arabic-speaking background, though I was not taught the language growing up. In High School, I studied French, and both languages contributed to my life-changing summer abroad in Morocco. Making friends who speak either language and better understanding distant family members who only speak Arabic have all strengthened my bonds with peers and my family. Overall, my motivation to study foreign languages comes from both personal interest and a desire to work on foreign policy in the United States, where understanding the cultures of other countries is essential.
Language learning is a complex process of forgetting preconceived notions and embracing a different way of life. As I like to think, studying abroad, experiencing a foreign language, or traveling to a culture you're interested in getting to know better is like diving into a pool of water. At first, it's terrifying, but the second you get acclimated and start swimming, time starts to fly.
Some aspects of other cultures can be deterring at first. Just remember that the goal is building mutual understanding, not changing other people's way of life or views. That's an unlikely goal—and it's something that I learned from studying abroad. Being present, listening, and understanding are your goals while studying a foreign language, not changing the world.
I plan to transfer, complete my degree, and work as a policy analyst in either the public or private sector. I'm interested in roles like a foreign representative in the public sector, such as working in the Department of State's Foreign Services or the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. There, I can combine my language skills with my Political Science and International Relations education to help shape better, more humane policies.
Inspired by Joseph's story?
