Mehreen Shahid

Mehreen Shahid participated in the 2023 CLS Arabic Program hosted by the Arab American Language Institute in Meknes, Morocco. She is currently a senior at Carleton College, where she studies biology and Arabic. Mehreen plans to use her Arabic skills to communicate with immigrant marginalized communities in the US and around the world as she pursues a career as an attorney working with modern innovation-related global issues.

Getting to Know Mehreen 

I was born in Chicago, Illinois. However, when I was only a couple of days old, my parents took me to Tanzania, and I lived there for the next 18 years of my life. At the base of Mt. Meru, I lived in a small town called Arusha. My multicultural background and diverse environment made speaking different languages second nature. Apart from English, I spoke Swahili and Urdu which is my mother tongue. At Carleton College, I am a majoring in Biology and minoring in Arabic. In my free time, I enjoy playing Scrabble and badminton, keeping up with politics (both national and international), and watching reality TV shows. 

Why Arabic? 

As a Muslim woman who grew up learning about Islamic theology and reading the Quran, Arabic played a key role in shaping my religious identity. However, I always relied on English translations since I did not understand any Arabic. To gain a deeper understanding of Islam and strengthen my religious identity, I decided to learn Arabic. I also wanted to connect with different communities who practice Islam, and learning the different languages they speak felt like the first step in building those connections. 

A Favorite Word in Arabic

زوينة  "Zwina" which means beautiful in the Moroccan Arabic dialect. 

A Good Bargain 

Although I did not enjoy getting ripped off in the bazaars of Meknes as I shopped for souvenirs, I learned a lot from the experience. Unlike in the US, in Morocco, bargaining when shopping is necessary and for the locals, it is actually considered fun! No one is going to feel bad! Simply, suggest a price and bargain until you lose patience. Shopping in Morocco was the perfect social activity to improve my language and persuasion skills. 

Tea 

When I returned to the US, I introduced my friends and family to tea breaks which had become a key part of my life in Morocco. I explained that taking 10 minutes to have (mint) tea and socialize with others, the Moroccan way, significantly improves your physical and mental health. I recommend taking two tea breaks every day. I also shared with my local Muslim community how religious practices vary based on the culture they are practiced in. 

Why Should Others Learn Arabic? 

If you have even the slightest interest in the Middle East & North Africa regions, you should definitely try learning Arabic. It will deepen your understanding of the regions’ cultures, histories, and current socioeconomic and political situations. My favorite parts about learning Arabic were the beauty of some of the words that cannot be expressed in English, understanding phrases based on the cultural context, and making connections with the other languages I know. 

Words of Advice 

Challenge yourself. I remember the day before I left for Morocco; I was terrified out of my mind, but I am so glad I had the courage to apply. My CLS experience was one of the most transformative experiences of my life, and after it, I am a more resilient, confident, and passionate Arabic speaker. 

Also, when I applied for CLS, I started and completed my application on the day of the deadline! Do NOT do that! Start early, and make sure to get feedback from others.