Journal 1: الفصل

I took this class having signed up for the trip to Jerusalem in May.  As a student of Arabic, I had been looking for a short-term study abroad opportunity that would give me some insight, any insight, into the daily lives of people in the Middle East.  I believe that language and culture go hand in hand, and thus I cannot fully know a language without having some concept of the way its speakers live. 

The class was not entirely what I expected it to be, albeit for the most part, that is a good thing.  The class being entirely discussion-based in a laid-back environment, rather than a series of lectures and assignments, really shows respect for the opinions and beliefs of the students and helps us dive further into the tough issues surrounding the city.  I underestimated greatly how touchy this topic can be and my own level of discomfort in hearing some of my classmates’ strong opinions.  This past class session, in particular, left me a bit exhausted from all that tension.  I think it would help for me to keep everything in perspective and not get hypersensitive about things.  I don’t feel informed enough to have any strong opinion on the occupation, etc., but I can recognize that the situation is emotional for some, and understandably so.

All that being said, I am very excited for this course.  I am already learning a great deal about the history of Jerusalem and why it has been a contested item for centuries.  I am looking forward to learning more about my classmates and their perspectives, which can differ greatly, and also having a greater understanding of the three monotheistic faiths that find a home in Jerusalem.  Most of all, I am excited for the trip, which will be a life-changing experience.  At the rate we are going, I will have more than sufficient background knowledge to see the things we discuss in class actually played out in the lives of Jerusalem’s civilians.  That is not to say that I will ever fully grasp the scope of these issues, but I will have a foundation to build upon as we observe the daily activities of the people of Jerusalem.  As the film we watched last week stated, these people live ordinary lives under extraordinary circumstances.