Saddiq Faizi

Saddiq Faizi is a recipient of the Summer 2018 Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship. The award provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students with financial support to develop fluency in less commonly taught languages (LCTLs) and expertise in the regions in which these languages are spoken. Every year the Center for Global Studies awards between 12-15 fellowships to UW students. Click here to learn more.

I was fortunate enough to receive the FLAS scholarship from the Center for Global Studies to study Arabic in the Summer of 2018. I decided to travel to Oman, a country which I had never heard much about before, and so thought it was the perfect opportunity to do so and learn Arabic at the same time! I had taken Arabic the previous academic year, and this summer intensive program was a great continuation. Additionally, it gave me the chance not only to learn Arabic, but also to learn about the amazing Omani culture and meet some great people who were very hospitable and welcoming. The Noor Majan Institute, located in Muscat, Oman, and one of the most breathtaking places I have visited, is the best place to learn Arabic, as it has a very diverse selection of students from all over the world with teachers who are very knowledgeable and patient. The teachers at Noor Majan work on individual levels to ensure that students don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed with learning a new language, which can be difficult, especially in a new environment. Oman now has a very special place in my heart and I was very lucky to be able to get the chance to travel there and interact with the locals and make lifelong friends. I hope to use my knowledge of Arabic to continue my graduate studies at UW and work as a US Foreign Service Officer. I also hope to have the chance to visit Oman again! Thank you to the Center for Global Studies for giving me this opportunity!