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ـه1444 لاوس� ددـــــ ـــــعلا Forum 16
م2023 ويام

Basma Akeel

PSU Applied

Linguistics

Graduate

Interviewed by Dr. Ivana Roncevic
Assistant Professor,
Department of Linguistics and Translation,
College of Humanities and Sciences

1. Can you introduce yourself? become successful in the job market. The varied diversity, which are all areas that lie within my
Hello! nature of the courses I took both challenged interests. However, what especially attracted me 5. What challenges have you faced during
First of all, thank you for interviewing me! It and inspired me. From class discussions to term to this program is the broad range of skills it will this journey? Has PSU education helped you
feels surreal to be on the pages (or should I say projects, I was always learning something new equip me with, which will pave the way for my overcome them?
website?) of Taif AlJamaa, and a pleasure to and exciting. future career path. From research and analytical The biggest challenge I faced during this journey
share my journey with fellow PSUers. Also, the support and guidance of the faculty skills to negotiating and presenting skills, this (so far, at least; it's only been two months)
I’m Basma Akeel. Currently, I’m a full-time grad members, who have touched my life in more MA will prepare me to overcome cultural is the amount of readings l had to read to
student at UCL (University College London), ways than they know, is something that I will barriers and navigate today’s superdiverse and prepare for lectures. Luckily, while pursuing
completing a Master’s degree in Intercultural always be grateful for. It’s a good feeling to know communicatively complex world. my undergraduate degree, PSU has exposed
Communication under the Culture, Media, and that the people teaching you truly have your Of course, UCL’s and the IOE’s high world me to such research by familiarizing me with
Communication department of the IOE (Institute best interests at heart. rankings also attracted me to apply for this top journals in the field, as well as allowed me
Of Education), the number one department for program as I knew I would be taught by experts the opportunity to actually work with research
Education in the world. 3. You have recently started studying in the field. papers firsthand at the Educational Research
Before that, I earned my BA in Applied Linguistics Intercultural Communication at UCL. Can you Lab.
at PSU, where my interest in languages, tell us more about the program and why you 4. How was your experience applying and Another thing I believe PSU well-prepared me
communication, and everything in between only chose it? starting the program? How did you prepare for for is the integration of technology in education.
grew stronger. Unlike the stress of choosing a major after high it and how has studying at PSU prepared you While it was a challenge at first to dive into the
I guess you can tell I was a bookworm from an school, after completing my studies at PSU, I for it? many resources UCL expects students to engage
early age? had a clearer view of where I wanted to go from To be honest, because studying abroad has with online (classes, boards, forums, materials,..
there. I knew I had a passion for connection and been a dream of mine for so long, applying for etc.), I quickly learned how to utilise these
2. How was your study experience at Prince wanted to specialise in a field that would allow and starting this program felt unreal (in the best resources as I was using similar platforms during
Sultan University? me to do two things. Firstly, understand how and way possible). I sometimes still can’t believe my studies at PSU.
Although deciding on what to major in after why different people communicate differently, that I was one of the 30 students who were
graduating high school was a stressful experience and secondly, how to use this information to selected among 600 applicants. However, in 6. What advice would you give to
for me (and everyone else, I know), I can effectively communicate with people (getting to terms of preparation, it was not an easy task. undergraduate students?
confidently say that I made the right choice by meet people from all over the world is an extra I like to think about the process like a project; Above all else, be kind to yourself. It’s OK to
choosing to study at PSU, and more specifically perk). there were many steps I had to complete before make mistakes. Instead of striving for perfection,
at the CHS (College of Humanities and Sciences). When I found this program on UCL’s website, I I got to this moment where I’m typing this up at strive for healthy improvement. Put in the work,
CHS prepared me with the skills necessary not felt like it was calling my name. Essentially, the a 200-year-old library. and what it is will find you.
only to pursue higher education but also to program centers around language, culture, and After deciding to apply, I had to write a personal
statement essay, convincing UCL that I was the 7. Would you recommend the Applied
right student for this program. Thanks to PSU, Linguistics program at PSU to others? Why?
this was a piece of writing that I felt confident Definitely! Language is the primary way that
writing. Also, I had to obtain two letters of allows humans to communicate, and learning
recommendation, which, again, thanks to PSU, I how to do things with language can only be an
also felt confident asking my professors for. More asset in today’s world. Becoming a linguist opens
significantly, working as a Research Assistant at doors for all sorts of employment and is not only
PSU exposed me to many papers, which helped limited to careers directly related to linguistics.
me tackle the (many, many) essential readings Being a linguist gives you an excellent grip on the
that MA students are assigned. language and its many functions. On top of that,
Also, I am happy to share that I applied to it also makes you think critically about different
become the Course Representative for the MA issues, develop high cultural awareness, and
Intercultural Communication Cohort of 2022/23 become an expert in soft skills that employers
and won! Which I believe has something to do are always looking for in future candidates, like
with my previous experience serving on the oral and written communication, research, and
Student Advisory Board at PSU. problem-solving skills.