Freestyle not only hosted and organized the showcase, but the team also delivered unforgettable performances of their own. The audience was captivated and full of high energy from the very first beat drop, as the team opened the night with one of their electrifying routines, radiating confidence while dressed in matching team shirts. 

To learn more about the team behind this electrifying event, we interviewed Taeyu Kim ’27, an E-Board member, and Emily Li ’28, a new member of Freestyle. When asked what drew her to join the team, Li shared how her prior hip-hop experience was mostly self-taught, and she did not initially intend to pursue hip-hop in college, until a flyer about auditions for Freestyle ultimately changed her mind.

“Although I did not get in [during] the fall audition, I loved Freestyle’s overall genuine, warm, and supportive atmosphere. I also attended their fall show, ‘Spotlight,’ when I vowed to myself that I will try auditioning again in the spring!” Li said.

Li is not alone in expressing love for Freestyle’s close-knit community. Kim, who serves as the organization’s Publicity Chair, remarked that “the reason I kept coming back became the community just as much as my growing love for dance.”

Behind each polished performance — consisting of smooth transitions and synchronized moves — is hours of dedication and coordination. Kim gave us a look into what practices typically look like, explaining: “We do a warm-up when about everyone arrives, and then we have the plan for practice laid out, whether that is formations, learning choreo, or just practicing/drilling. Usually at the end, we do a recording to watch over and use to improve ourselves.”

Li also emphasized the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into preparing for performances, adding, “We take up a lot of time behind the scenes to block formations on stage and clean up each choreography!”

Kim added, “We work very hard to get the quality of dance you see on the stage! …[Jam On It] week is merciless. I think we did more than 30 hours last week, which is insane, especially along with all the e-board tasks that we are managing every day of that week.” Sharing a favorite performance, she continued, “…’Jam On It’ is always very special! We say a goodbye to our seniors (we love you seniors!), do the choreos from the entire year and get to put on a show we are proud of.”

Though Freestyle is an organization with a mission to learn and perform hip-hop routines, Li also highlighted how one of her favorite aspects of the team is how “everyone is so caring and passionate about dance, and I love watching each dancer’s distinctive personality shine when they perform.”

Though “Jam On It” showcases the amazing talent Freestyle brings to the stage, it is also a celebration of the long-term dedication, passion, and togetherness that define the team. Li and Kim, as well as all of Freestyle, hope the hip-hop group’s strong sense of connection and belonging will continue to inspire and uplift the Wellesley community as a whole.

Image Credit: Chelsea Tarringer ’28

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn and India Lacey

International Mother Language Day is celebrated annually on Feb. 21 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. It was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 to commemorate the Bangla Language Movement, wherein Bangladeshis fought for the recognition of their mother tongue, Bangla. This movement began when the Pakistani government implemented a policy that made Urdu the official language of the country, even though the majority of East Pakistan’s population spoke in Bangla. What followed were mass protests, and on Feb. 21, 1952, police opened fire on student protesters; two decades later, East Pakistan gained independence and became what is now known as Bangladesh, or Land of Bangla. 

Wellesley’s BSA commemorated the event by inviting students to showcase the beauty of their mother tongues and cultural heritage through a performance of their choice. Performances ranged from traditional dances to spoken words to songs. Performances were given in a range of languages, such as Bangla, Urdu, Creole, Spanish, Chinese and Korean. At the end of the performances, the mic was open to the rest of the audience, underscoring the warm and welcoming nature of the event. 

The Wellesley News spoke with Alisha Shahriar ’25 and Samihath Zaman ’25, co-presidents of the BSA and coordinators of the event. They spoke about how the 1952 event was such a catalyst for Bangladeshi independence and how they hoped to honor that through this annual event. 

Zaman said that Coffeehouse is “what you feel most comfortable with. People can sing, they can do poetry, they can dance to songs in their mother tongues or the languages that they feel most comfortable with.” 

She explained that at her first Coffeehouse she talked about how much she enjoyed BSA in the open mic portion, and how she truly appreciated being culturally immersed in the space and hearing people speak Bangla. 

BSA has become an integral part of Shahriar and Zaman’s Wellesley community. They both have been on e-board since first-year, when they joined the organization and realized what an important space it was. The organization hosts various events throughout the year, including lectures, collaborations with other organizations — Wellesley or otherwise —  and fun bonding events, but Coffeehouse is the main event they do annually every year; it has become a staple BSA is very proud of. 

Shahriar thinks this year was their biggest turnout, something BSA is very proud of. They also saw new forms of expression this year, especially with dances. 

They also introduced “Cha” for the first time, which they think people enjoyed. Overall, they described the atmosphere as positive and happy.

“I think a lot of people mentioned that there was a sense of joy that could be felt,” Shahriar said. 

Shahriar and Zaman hope that this inspires more people to come to Coffeehouse next year, but also to overall promote cultural understanding and community on campus. 

“I would encourage anybody, no matter how confident you feel speaking another language, if you have something that you’d like to share or a language that feels especially important to you, we’d love to hear about it,” Shahriar said. 

Zaman concluded by pointing out the importance of cultivating spaces for everyone to feel comfortable to share their culture: “I’m glad, through the Coffeehouse and through other BSA events, we have tried our best to do it, to create a safe space for everyone to share … it’s really beautiful.”

Image credit: Samihath Zaman ’25

Contact the editor responsible for this story: Hira Khan

Correction issued: Alisha Shahriar’s name has been updated. The previous version was misspelled.

The foundation was launched in August 2016 when Blake and her sister saw a need to help students access essential school supplies in their local community in St. Thomas. They recognized how families were struggling to provide adequate resources for their children to properly learn in school.

“Growing up, we saw firsthand how a lack of resources affected students’ education. We wanted to ease that burden for families and give children the tools they need to succeed,” Blake explained.

In the early years, the foundation was entirely self-funded, with Blake and her sister covering all expenses out of their own pockets. “Thankfully, over the years, many sponsors have come on board, along with [financial] support from family and friends,” she said. “As the need grew, we [expanded our efforts] to help children in neighboring communities.”

The foundation’s mission is clear: to provide school supplies for students from low-income families, ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed in their studies. The lack of basic school supplies not only puts a mental and financial burden on students, but also on their teachers, who often use their own money to pay for the supplies needed. The Blake sisters hope to amplify and address this issue of educational inequity that affects so many through the work they do within The Children of Albion Foundation. 

“We believe every child can succeed if given the right tools,” Blake remarked.

This year, the foundation is hosting a book bag on Wellesley’s campus to collect donations for underprivileged Jamaican students for the upcoming school year. The drive has collection boxes at several locations across campus, including Bates, Harambee House, Stone Davis, Shafer and Tower.

“We welcome all types of backpacks in new and [gently used] condition, and school supplies, including hardcover notebooks, pencils, sharpeners, and more,” Blake said.

For those who want to support the drive but are unable to donate supplies, Blake emphasized that there are still other ways to get involved. “[You] can still show support by making monetary donations, volunteering or sharing our initiative with others,” she said. “Every effort helps make a difference.”

Until the end of the month, the Wellesley community can participate in the collection and support the mission of the foundation. Though there is a long way to go in ensuring that every child can acquire the educational resources they need, the Children of Albion Foundation’s book bag drive may be a step forward in addressing the gaps present all around us.

Image credit: Rachel Blake ’28

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn and Valida Pau

“Bye Bye Tiberias” opens with footage of Soualem swimming in Lake Tiberias as a child. Soualem narrates, “As a child, my mother took me swimming in this lake. As if to bathe me in her story.” Soualem was born and raised in Paris but spent her childhood summers in Deir Hanna, a village that was under Israeli control when Soualem’s mother, Hiam Abbass, was growing up. Abbass eventually moved to Paris due to the suffocation she felt as a Palestinian in modern-day Israel. However, living in exile in Paris proved an immense challenge, and once Soualem was born, Abbass made frequent trips to Deir Hanna. 

Historical archival footage and personal home movies are woven into the documentary, providing an official yet personal touch to Soualem’s story. Abbass and Soualem’s narration of their story revolves around monumental family figures like Um Ali, Soualem’s great-grandmother who was forcibly displaced from her home in Tiberias during the 1948 Nakba. Interspersed throughout the film are precious moments between Abbass and her sisters, who have maintained their closeness despite having been separated for years. 

“Bye Bye Tiberias” particularly resonated with students of Palestinian descent at Wellesley. Hala Habahbeh ’27 commented, “In the Arab World, we assume the heritage of our fathers. It’s patrilineal … Watching a film following the women and their lineage was deeply precious to me. The origins of our mothers are discussed, but not often considered as a part of our roots. The film recognized our mothers. It focused on our Palestinian mothers, their strength, their resilience and their endless love. It made me feel seen. ” 

Jouri Elsadek ’27 was similarly moved by the film, “I grew up hearing about my family’s personal history in Palestine, but growing up in the states meant that I usually only heard about Palestine in contexts of violence and genocide. To see Soualem trace her family history was a moving reminder that Palestinians remain today and continue to live out their lives all over the world. We will never be erased.”

The movie screening was followed by a Q&A session with Soualem. On how the film changed her relationship with her mother, Soualem noted that, “I was not expecting to know the young woman that [my mother] was, nor the teenager, nor the young child. It was a way for me to get closer to my mother because when you’re born in a country that isn’t your parents’, there is such a huge gap in the culture and language. But through this film, I had access to things I never thought I had access to.”

The use of both French and Arabic in the documentary prompted a question about Soualem’s interpretation of language in the film, to which she responded, “It’s a mirror of our two different cultures. For me, accepting the multiplicity of language was also a way of affirming our complexity. I didn’t want to hide the fact that French was my native language. I wanted to follow the more authentic reality that I had. If I had translated it to Arabic, I would have been faking the storytelling.” 

Since its release, “Bye Bye Tiberias” has received numerous accolades and nominations, including the Grierson Award at the BFI London Film Festival and the shared jury prize at the Marrakech International Film Festival. Its themes of resilience and overcoming occupation have resonated with audiences across the globe, especially in the wake of Israel’s latest onslaught on Gaza. “Bye Bye Tiberias” serves as a staunch reminder of the stubbornness and enduring nature of the human spirit in the face of tragedy.

Contact the editor responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn

For many, this may have been the first time they had set foot in the greenhouse. But for Professor Kristina Jones, Director of the Botanic Gardens and Faculty Director of the Botanic Gardens, there is so much more to the greenhouse than these recurring Nights at the Greenhouse. 

“There’s a long history … it’s been 100 years since the greenhouses were built, and the outdoor gardens,” Jones explains. “The founder, Margaret Ferguson, was really into how plants connect to just about everything in the liberal arts, or could potentially … [she was] very forward thinking.” 

The greenhouse has been putting on this show since 2006, as a way to preserve the passions of Ferguson and others a century ago. While the greenhouse might be overwhelming in the daytime, Jones believes that at night, certain plants can be spotlit to tell a story. 

“We like to say you get to see plants in a whole new light,” she jokes. 

Night at the Greenhouse also featured the sculpture work of Isaac Zerkle ’17, an alum and Theater major. Jones encountered their work in a Jewett exhibit last year, and felt that their experience with light and art, as well as their personal connection to the college, made them the perfect artist for the greenhouse show. 

“This just really was a sweet spot, because Isaac both really knew lights and had really artistic visions for you know how the greenhouse could tell stories, right? In addition to their sculptures.” Jones says. “So it was this amazing mix of art and plants in motion, and a little bit of a theater aspect to it as well.”

Jones hopes events like this will inspire people to visit the greenhouse more often and learn about its history. She says that one of the beautiful things about the greenhouse and botanical gardens is that they are meant to be global: they should go past the scientific and bring a cultural importance with them to students and visitors, as a public face of the college. 

“We’ve gone for both the diversity of plants to tell stories about adaptation and evolution for the biology folks, but also culturally relevant plants, which is most plants, and trying to tell their stories … we don’t want it to be just a display of objects; these are living, really important relatives. Some people would think of them that way, and that’s a very, very helpful way to think about plants,” she says. 

More than that, the greenhouse can be a hangout place for students, and it even has a stage for performances. Jones believes that there are opportunities for creativity everywhere in the greenhouse. She intentionally doesn’t want the greenhouse to be dictated for something particular, but rather be for anything. That’s also why she asks students to decide on the theme every year; this year, Jones gave a special shoutout to Thorndike Interns Hana Hussaini ’27 and Ximena Sanchez ’27 for picking the theme of “Plants and Movement” and working to make the show a success. 

“We’re planting seeds, right? In people’s minds, oh, the greenhouse is cool for something I’m doing,” she concludes. “Having an event like this brings in folks that hopefully will bring in a whole bunch of different ideas.”

Contact the editor responsible for this story: Hira Khan

Fever is more than just a performance group, it is “energy, passion and an overall joy for dance and Caribbean culture,” Rosado said. “Many of us are not dancers when we enter the group and we are all learning together, especially because we are all from different parts of the diaspora, it’s really beautiful to teach one another different dances and forms of expression.” When watching how each movement, costume and song work together, this expression can look effortless, but that is certainly not the case. “The amount of time, dedication and heart that is put into this org is really incredible.” Rosado said.

When asked what encouraged her to join Fever, Asare-Kwaah explained that, “Initially, I joined Fever because I saw them at the Org Fair at the beginning of the semester and the roommate wanted to join … now I genuinely enjoy it. It’s a great workout and makes me feel amazing about my body. It’s a really supportive group.”

Rosado clued me in on what a typical practice looks like. Because it lasts about two hours, the dancers start with a warm-up of stretching and occasional jumping jacks to Afrobeats and Caribbean music. During a week leading up to a performance like this past one, as the group prepares for the Rhythms of the Caribbean Expo, practices consist of run-throughs and perfecting their transitions between songs.

I also gained insight into the process of bringing these beautiful and intricate dances from vision to life. Because Rosado is an e-board member, we had the opportunity to discuss how Fever’s leading members approach choreography.

“We really try to get everyone involved in making choreography, though it has mainly been led by the President, Sairah O’Brian ’25, this year,” she said. “We start by making a playlist of songs that we’re interested in making choreography to, and from there, we build up choreography … we always try to add traditional elements into each of our dances, and keep them very fun and rooted in the main goal of the organization.”

Fever also encourages members to embrace different characters in their routines, using acting to enhance their dances. When asked about their favorite performance, Asare-Kwaah replied, “Last semester I really loved ‘Kotch.’ I play the guy role in a lot of dances and that was no different. I’ve gotten comfortable being more masculine. This semester though … probably ‘So Mi Like It’ which everyone can come see at [the Rhythms of the Caribbean] Expo!”

Rosado’s personal favorite is “DND” by Rema, choreographed by Taylor Quaye ’24. “The choreo just felt so perfectly in the energy of the song and Taylor really brought a special spirit to all of the dances they choreographed.” 

In addition to the upbeat dances, what really seems to bring Fever to life is the spirited community. According to Asare-Kwaah, she has gained a lot of confidence in her abilities since joining, describing practices as “super fun because everyone is hyping everyone else. I feel like I’m a lot less nervous when it comes to dancing in front of people.”

Rosado echoed this sentiment, explaining while every dancer can be tired as a result of academics and everything else in their Wellesley lives, “being able to come together, lean on one another, and have these moments of joy through dance is so beautiful … The support system we build as a group of people from all across the world and diaspora is definitely my favorite part of being in the fever dancers.” 

Rosado and Asare-Kwaah concluded by encouraging everyone to come experience the energy and enthusiasm of Fever Dancers at the Rhythms of the Caribbean Expo on Saturday, February 22 at 6:00 P.M. held in Jewett Auditorium.

Image credit: @feverdancers on Instagram

Contact the editor responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn

The growing number of these raids left many first generation and immigrant populations at Wellesley feeling anxious and uncertain about their futures. Paloma Ayala ’27, a Houston native, expressed her initial thoughts about the mass deportations occurring throughout the US Ayala explains that her family had been preparing for a Trump presidency for a while, and rushed to get their citizenship before he took office. 

 “Knowing that [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] ICE is now detaining naturalized citizens and residents, I am not only scared for my parents but also for my loved ones, the family of friends and my neighbors,” she said. “I feel helpless and every day I pray that nothing will happen to my mom or dad.” 

She emphasized that her parents are hardworking people who have sacrificed so much for their family, much like many immigrants, residents and naturalized citizens. 

“My heart just aches at the thought of so many families being separated,“ Ayala said.

Houston is a blue city within a predominantly red state. While it shares many of the same progressive views as other liberal-leaning cities, it exists in a state that supports more conservative policies. Despite this, Ayala explained how the Houston populace has come together in support of immigrant rights and have led numerous protests. 

“I am happy our community is speaking out on these issues back home. People of all ages are heading out to the hot spots in Houston to speak out against all of the mass deportations. There have been sightings of hate groups during these protests, and that is one of the things that scares me. I just wish there was more support with our state government, it feels like we are being left out,” Ayala said. 

On Jan. 14, disruptors carrying Nazi flags and white supremacist imagery gathered on an overpass in Houston, in response to recent demonstrations. This  is a reflection of the broader, dangerous ideology shared by these right-leaning groups, which continue to promote hate and discrimination across the country. Meanwhile, ICE agents have been criticized for acting on their own biases, disproportionately stopping individuals who appear to be Latinx. The hasty generalizations of immigration agents have led to the detainment of naturalized or birthright citizens. 

Another Houston native student at Wellesley College called the actions of ICE agents inhumane because of their tactics for arrest — often targeting places of community and culture. This has made people in the Houston community fear being in public spaces. They comment that while the Houston residents have protested, universities, which enroll many concerned students, have either remained silent or failed to provide adequate resources to support them. The student sees that same lack of action at Wellesley. They point out they haven’t seen any explicit aid from the administration or even statements that support students during a time of increased federal raids and intimidation. Ayala echoes this, saying she has only seen actions undertaken by students and the Office of Intercultural Education.

“Some clubs have been hosting support groups and there have been some emails that have been sent out by some individuals, but I have yet to hear anything from the college. Many students on this campus are terrified for their families, loved ones, and themselves. I think the least the college can do is to send out their support to the student body. The students are waiting for a bit of compassion,” said Ayala. 

Both students expressed that it is important for all community members, whether in a city or at a college campus, to come together to offer mutual support during such a confusing and stressful time. Ayala highlighted how it is disheartening for many students to witness a lack of proactive support from administration, especially when she believes their role should be to protect and progress the college and university collective, regardless of their immigration status. She believes it is through unity and shared compassion that people can ensure no one faces the challenges created by the new administration alone. 

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Contact the editor responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn

This year’s overarching theme was, “Frontiers of Change: Shaping the Next Wave of Innovation and Disruption.” Albright fellows were split into eight groups and assigned a topic under the general theme. One of the fellows, Annette Chun ’26, described her experience in an interview with the Wellesley News. Her group’s assigned topic was on technology-enabling healthcare in Kenya, a topic which was intentionally chosen for her team as they had no prior knowledge of it. Fellows, she explained, are usually given topics that they are unfamiliar with so they can become experts in a field they haven’t previously explored. This year’s program ran from January 2-18, giving fellows just over two weeks to transform their research into an elaborate presentation. 

 Chun explained, “We had three checkpoints to make sure we were on track with our research. Initially, we did broader research on tech-enabling healthcare in Kenya and then narrowed it down to the specific issue we wanted to present to the Distinguished Visiting Professor.” 

This year’s Distinguished Visiting Professor was Nicole Wong, who specializes in helping high growth technology companies with numerous tasks, such as AI governance and international privacy. She previously served as Deputy US Chief Technology Officer in the Obama Administration and has also worked for Google and Twitter, focusing on the intersection of law and technology. Albright fellows were expected to present to Wong, who would follow up with questions after the presentation. 

Says Chun, “One thing I thought was interesting was that presentations weren’t in a traditional slideshow format. Some people did skits, while others did mock podcasts. My group did a mediation because an official mediation is a commonly used platform in Kenya, so we decided to reenact that. Overall, people were really creative with their presentations.”

When asked about memorable moments in her Albright experience, Chun said, “I really enjoyed my cohort. The people in my Albright group were amazing: Virginia Little, Chantria Garcia, Lillie Stewart and Carme Sanz-Muñoz. During one memorable workshop, cohorts were instructed to build a bridge out of cardboard. It was a super fun bonding moment for us, and the overall energy was very positive.” 

When asked what advice she had for aspiring Albright fellows, Chun responded, “I think a lot of people think Albright only pertains to those interested in politics and international affairs, but in reality, the program is designed to be interdisciplinary and caters to students of all majors. A lot of Albright speakers are also Wellesley alums, which gave me a newfound appreciation of the College and community.” As Chun says, the application process may seem daunting, but it should not stop one from applying. In her experience, the Albright Program was a rewarding one that provided a new perspective on global affairs. 

Image credit: @albright.inst on Instagram

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn and Hira Khan

In a Letter to the Editor published in The Wellesley News edition of May 12, 1974, an individual by the name of R. Polly Sle championed the newly created term.

“I want to express my admiration and warm thanks to all those people who have worked so feverishly to make winter study at Wellesley in January, 1975 a reality, Wellesley’s first Winter Term promises to be a smashing success!

“The activities will be stimulating (if course titles are an accurate indication) and will provide students the opportunity to round out their education experience with some “fun” courses for a change.

“Moreover, Winter Term participants will learn what it is really like to live in a community. Some may say that we have all been doing that for some time now, but you are wrong. Winter Term will reveal to us the error of that myth. 

“Living together is one of the most important aspects of community life; and, as we all know, living arrangements have been worked out smoothly and to the satisfaction of everyone. The residents of Bates, Freeman and McAfee, who so cheerfully volunteered the use of their rooms, deserve a special thanks. Their enthusiastic cooperation has been a big help in the planning of Winter Term.

“With this success under our belts, we should plan to tackle bigger and better things. How about the residence contract? That definitely needs some revision — grants the student too many rights, we all know that power is dangerous in the hands of those who do not understand it. But that’s just a hint of what’s to come ….”

In the same edition of The Wellesley News, Ellen Myer expressed her disapproval of the Winter Term housing arrangements in a provocatively titled Letter to the Editor, “Winter term violates Rights of students.” In it she critiqued the policy that required all students staying on campus to reside in East Side dorms, forcing those already living there but not staying on campus over January, to completely move out.

“ … Obviously, the Winter Term we are being ‘offered,’ which claims the authorization of Academic Council, bears little resemblance to this proposal in terms of residence policy. Winter Term ’75 can succeed only if the college forces students who cannot or do not want to attend Winter Term to give up their rooms during January. This forced move entails a great deal of time spent packing, since the college will assume no liability for anything left in the rooms; and it requires such great amounts of time in the midst of final exams. Winter Term ’75 is not “voluntary and self-supporting,” as Academic Council mandated it should be.

“Whether or not Winter Term ’75 will occur remains to be seen. If it does, it will represent a gross inequity, a project built upon discrimination and exploitation, of which Wellesley can hardly be proud.”

Three years ago, when it seemed that wintersession might be cancelled permanently to allow time for the long-term construction of many buildings on campus, students and teachers rallied around the importance of the between-semester opportunity, but the program obviously took time to reach its current popularity. Perhaps we owe a debt of thanks to Myer that we get to keep our rooms throughout Wintersession.  

Image credit: Wellesley College Archives

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn and Hira Khan

The foreign language requirement is not a new concept to Wellesley students; students have been required to fulfill two years’ worth of a language for decades now, either through demonstrating fluency coming in, working on fluency in a language studied previously, or starting a new language altogether. However, while learning in a classroom is a common way to fulfill your requirements, Wellesley also offers opportunities for language-learning students to immerse themselves fully in their respective language-speaking cultures. 

Osman and Jaiyeola both felt an instant connection with the Arabic department and language when they began learning it last year. 

Osman took her first Middle Eastern Studies class last spring with Professor Marlow, which fueled her interest in getting more involved with Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic. While she speaks a specific dialect of Arabic at home, Osman says the opportunity to learn formal Arabic, or Fusha, was important to her. 

Jaiyeola took her first Arabic class her freshman fall, crediting Professor Aadnani as a huge help in figuring out her language requirements. She said he, along with the other professors in the Arabic department, work to make learning enjoyable and reduce the stress that comes with learning a new language. 

“I love the Arabic department … I think that they work really hard to make learning enjoyable…sometimes it’s challenging when it’s a really difficult language to learn, but while in class, I never feel like I’m struggling because I can always ask for help,” said Jaiyeola. 

They both love Arabic so much that they ended up working towards an informal minor in Arabic. That passion they have for Arabic propelled them to apply for the Wintersession program in Morocco through the MES 270 course. 

The program is designed to immerse students in Moroccan Arabic and Moroccan culture — from living with host families to visiting cities all over the country.

Undoubtedly, the program boosted their Arabic study as students stayed with host families who made them meals, took them around the area, and spoke to them in Arabic.  More than that, they gained an understanding of the beauty of Moroccan culture.

“We went to a lot of the different cities, and we got tours of them all. We learned a lot about the communities within not just the touristy stuff, but about what the people in these areas live like.” Osman said. 

Osman and Jaiyeola both mentioned how good their host families were. Jaiyeola pointed out how she continues to speak with her host mother, and had been texting with her the day before our conversation.

“I think that it’s very beautiful the way that the families interact with each other, but also working to like, make us feel included as well,” she said.

To Osman, eating dinner with the families every night made her feel at home as well as conversations and activities with her siblings. Both got to travel with families around the city and to malls and the beach; it made Osman and Jaiyeola feel like they were a part of the community. More than that, they said that people in Morocco were nothing but supportive of them learning Arabic. 

“Even shop sellers, if you could speak Arabic, they were extremely proud of you. And it’s like, I don’t even know you, but that’s very sweet. And sometimes they give you advice on how to get prices down when you’re talking to other sellers.” Jaiyeola said. 

Even though dialects of Arabic made it harder to communicate, they felt encouraged to try new words and phrases that they didn’t learn in class.

They left the Wintersession feeling not only more confident in their Arabic skills but also with a new understanding and appreciation of Moroccan culture. They recommend that Arabic students take the program and agree that the department is really experienced with keeping students safe while giving them new opportunities. 

Jaiyeola ended her interview with some advice for Wintersession abroad: “Maximize the amount of time that you have there, like, take advantage of everything. Just allow yourself to feel uncomfortable in the moment and then try something new. I think that anybody that goes would benefit from it a lot.” 

Osman agreed, and then offered perhaps the most important piece of advice: “Come with your bargaining skills ready.” Hopefully, Arabic students at the next Wintersession will take that to heart.

Image credit: Aayah Osman

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn and Hira Khan