Within the encounter of exhaustive stereotypes portrayed within the media about Muslims, Rodaina Tarek Mousa, an English literature graduate university student from Alexandria, Egypt, encourages Some others to seem past her appearance and advocates for social justice.
“Because I’ve gotten right here, I’ve had lots of discussions with all unique varieties of men and women — from bus drivers to random people on campus,” Mousa said. “It’s been a lot of of an eye opener, how Many of us that do not know what Egypt is. They see Egypt and consider camels, pyramids and deserts, However they don’t see outside of that.”
Proving Egypt is made of in excess of its stereotypes, Mousa encourages others to contemplate the skills of Egyptians.
“I'm an indicator that there are people that think, Have got a intellect of their own individual and so are effective at accomplishing massive points,” Mousa stated. “I’m hoping I’m a window to these people [who misunderstand Muslims].”
Mousa been given a grant with the Fulbright U.S. Pupil Software, which led her to enroll at SIUE and pursue a graduate degree in English literature, although simultaneously completing educating assistantships to the Arabic language and English literature.
“I’m the Arabic a hundred and one Instructor on campus, [and] I’m also doing my graduate classes and taking on Women of all ages’s scientific tests — that’s sort of my concentration,” Mousa reported. “Back property, I’m a training assistant at Alexandria College. I educate English literature hijabs online with a spotlight in 16th and 17th century literature.”
As outlined by Mousa, her choice being a Fulbright Grant receiver enables her to bridge the linguistic and cultural discrepancies among the U.S. and Egypt.
“I hold the Fulbright Grant, And that i’ve been chosen in conjunction with 23 individuals from my state out of a hundred million folks, pretty much, to become listed here and do these studies,” Mousa mentioned. “This grant makes it possible for people today from everywhere in the entire world to come on the U.S. and instruct their mom tongue to College students and American Students to go abroad and teach English to College students in return.”
Mousa reported people frequently make assumptions about her and her beliefs prior to even possessing a dialogue together with her.