During the past decade, world events, especially Sept. 11, have made clear a crucial need for Arabic speakers in the United States. Loyola Marymount senior Heather Moline is responding to that need. An English major with economics and theology minors, Moline spent six weeks in Beirut, Lebanon where she took an intensive course in Arabic.

Moline says when she told friends and family she was spending the summer in Beirut, she was met with plenty of disbelief and fear. “The U.S. even has an advisory warning Americans to stay away unless it's absolutely necessary,” she says. Although “there are plenty of soldiers with guns in the streets,” the Beirut she experienced was far different than what some would expect.

“Everyone bid me welcome or ‘asalam alaykum’ (peace be upon you),” she says. “The city is extremely western … a Paris of the Middle East. They are rebuilding from the wars, and learning to deal with religious diversity better than any other Middle Eastern country, in my opinion.
 
“The majority of Lebanese speak perfect English. One market owner, when he found out where I was from, thanked me for coming to Lebanon as an American. He hopes I will help to dispel the myths of violence that surround his country.”

Each day, Moline spent five hours in classes at the Lebanese American University, followed by five hours of homework – which was “exhausting and worth every minute.” Her studies were made possible by an Albertson Fellowship, which is part of the Honors Summer Research Fellowship Award program.

Moline, who spent the spring 2009 semester studying in Spain, says she was sad to see her experience come to a close. “It’s been the best six months of my life, seeing the world as it really is, and not from a bubble or through prejudice … I feel it’s now my responsibility to help open minds.”