Volunteer Spotlight: Samy E.

Samy E.

Why did you get involved with INJAZ, the Middle Eastern branch of Junior Achievement?
I’d never been seriously involved in any volunteer work prior to Bechtel. I steered away from teaching roles that would put me straight in the spotlight. But last year I took the plunge and agreed to teach a course about success skills at a local secondary school for girls here in Doha. I dived straight into the challenge not only because of the positive effect I believed this project would have on the children but because it was also an opportunity to find out things about myself.

What have you found most surprising about your teaching experience?
I was surprised to see how enthusiastic, interactive, and lively the students were—especially because I had been advised beforehand that the girls could be a bit shy and weren’t that used to male teachers. Their contributions made all the difference in the classroom.

What’s been the most rewarding part?
Communicating with the pupils was the best part for me. Their enthusiasm for learning and frequently interactions made it a very enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

What have you find most challenging?
Finding out that I would have to give the course in Arabic rather than English worried me. Not only was Arabic my second language but this was to be my first time teaching in Arabic. The class was extremely encouraging and supportive once I confessed my dilemma to them. Teaching in Arabic and English made the experience much more interactive and rewarding because of the help I got from the students when I sometimes struggled to find the right words.
 
What, for you, has been the most important lesson?
Being honest and open—as well as relating lessons to your own personal experiences and feelings—makes the experience so much more effective and rewarding.