Participant in Online Facilitated Dialogue
As a student at a Language Center in Morocco, Oumaima got the opportunity to participate in an Online Facilitated Dialogue programme. She met with the same group of peers for a two-hour, online, weekly session over the course of eight weeks to discuss topics like identity, religion, culture and traditions. . In addition to flowing dialogue moderated by a trained facilitator, these sessions also included activities and exercises to build skills for example in critical thinking and self-reflection.
“I am kind of a shy person when it comes to discussions or giving opinions because I’m afraid the other person will judge me. With this group, I feel that I learned how to be confident and say my opinion without being afraid. I don’t need to care if it’s different or new, and I make my voice be heard.
I was surprised by the whole experience because online exchange is a new concept for me. When I got there I wasn’t expecting welcoming people and this environment where you can say whatever you want without being judged, so that was so surprising for me.
We had the chance to communicate freely and without being judged, discuss important and common topics and most importantly, improving my language and communication skills.
I learned more than I can tell. But I can say that I did learn how to listen carefully, respect anything strange to me and take time before giving my opinion.
This experience changed many things about me and let me be open and curious about the others’ culture and opinion.”
