Tell us about your love of language.

I was born in Jordan, so Arabic was my first language. I began learning English in kindergarten. Everyone is required to learn English; it’s used in school, at workplaces, in email — everything.

I studied English and German at University — including literature, translation, and intercultural communication — and took a few French classes as well.  But I don’t think anyone can really be fluent in another language until they’ve lived where it’s used every day.

How would you describe the home and family you grew up in?

I am the oldest grandchild in both families. I have two younger sisters and a brother.  Education was always important. My mom is an Arabic teacher. My grandfather was a poet and once wrote a poem about me. Noor means light in Arabic, and he wrote that I brought light into his life.

What stereotypes do you think people have about where you’re from? 

That we all live in the desert and ride camels, that we have no technology, and that girls can’t go out and aren’t allowed to do anything. 

I mean, historically people lived like that, but not in modern times.  I did visit the desert the other day. I went camping with friends in a place called Wadi Rum [also known as the Valley of the Moon, which has dramatic sandstone mountains, canyons, and dunes.] 

Have you ever felt out of place or like you didn’t belong? 

Yes, when I first went to University and took German. There were other students who already knew the language, some had lived in Germany, and I felt like I didn’t know enough. I was uncomfortable that first semester, but I found I could learn from others, and my confidence grew.

Can you share a memory of a time when something you did made a difference? 

When I was first volunteering to implement Global Nomads programs with Syrian refugees, I met a student who had never used a computer before. She learned so much over the course of the program, and in her last assignment, she gave a big presentation on the influence of social media and fake news. Seeing the final result and how much she developed felt amazing.

How did you get involved with Global Nomads? 

In 2014, Global Nomads came to my school and implemented a technology camp with U.S. and Jordanian teens. The next year, I applied and was selected to be a youth intern and then steadily moved up to become a fellow, a part-time assistant and now a full-time staff member.

My first interaction with an Ajnabi — a foreigner who is not an Arab — was at that tech camp, where I met students from Louisiana.  My father was somewhat against me going to camp with these strangers, but afterwards I showed my parents the souvenirs given to us by the U.S. students and the letters we wrote to each other, and my parents understood that they were children as we were. 

In what ways has the experience affected you?

I used to be very shy.  I came from a relatively underprivileged area, where despite having good education, there was a lack of opportunities. Global Nomads Group opened up so many opportunities for me. It’s an organization that actually listens to youth. The more I felt heard, the more I used my voice. I even got to do a presentation in front of the U.S. Ambassador to Jordan!

I am eager to bring similar opportunities to other young people who have never been encouraged to write their story, to think about their values, to develop their authentic selves.  

Tell us about someone you met at Global Nomads and what you learned from them.

I was part of an alumni group that met regularly via teleconference. The participants were from Pakistan, Egypt, the UK, and 3 others from Jordan.  

The most profound cross-cultural connection I made was actually with a guy from Amman. He lives locally, but I can’t think of a scenario where he and I would have met or ever spoken. We have very different personalities, family backgrounds, and approaches to life.  

He and I have debates all the time — often about feminism. I think women should have more opportunities, the freedom to study and go wherever they want. He thinks feminism has gone too far. I always listen and learn something from his perspective — but still, I disagree!

How has this global pandemic affected you? Has it changed your perspective?

I graduated in June. The last semester was tough. I had to complete my hardest subjects, study for finals by myself, and do my oral exams remotely.  I felt a lot of pressure and uncertainty. As I transitioned to working full time with Global Nomads, I was looking forward to going to the office and to working with schools — which can’t happen at the moment.

It helps me knowing that the whole world is going through the same thing. In some ways, the pandemic has brought people closer — asking about each other’s health and families. It feels good to have a collective sense of our shared humanity.

What’s one place in the world you wish you could visit once this pandemic is over? 

Amsterdam. My friends who’ve been there say that everyone is relaxed, chill. I’d also love to go to the Van Gogh Museum.

Until then, what are you doing to connect or unwind?

I love Instagram because I like to take pictures, capture the things I see, and add my own writing as captions. I also write for a blog where my friends and I share our creativity. And I’m a total bookworm — I just finished a novel I really liked called “A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers” about a non-native English speaker learning a new language and culture.

Noor Ass’ad is a Programs Assistant in Global Nomads Group Amman office where she helps with program enrollment, training, implementation, and design. She is a 2020 graduate of University of Jordan, with a dual degree in German and English. She spends her free time reading, writing, and engaging with all kinds of artistic expression and activism.