More Than a Fellowship: A Journey of Learning, Growing, and Understanding
When I first became a part of the Amal Fellowship, I thought it would be another learning experience where I would gain some knowledge, develop a few skills, and meet new people. But honestly, I never imagined that this journey would teach me so much about myself and bring such positive changes to my personality.
Looking back, I realize that Amal has given me much more than I expected. It gave me a wonderful network of people, a beautiful group of girls who gradually became an important part of my journey, two incredibly sweet facilitators, and countless memories from our sessions, group discussions, project work, and informal gatherings. From enjoying our informals to learning something new in every session, every little experience became a part of this journey.
I gained confidence, improved my communication skills, learned to express my opinions, and developed the courage to share my thoughts in front of others. One of my biggest achievements was making my own video for a project assignment for the very first time. Something that might seem like a small task to others was actually a big step for me. I also had a one-on-one session with our Program Manager, which left me feeling incredibly optimistic about myself and my future. There were so many moments when I learned something new, listened to different experiences, and realized how much we can learn from one another.
But among all these beautiful experiences, there is one realization that has had the greatest impact on me.
Learning to Listen, Not Just to Speak
If I look back at my personality before joining Amal, I would say that I was someone who strongly believed in her own perspective. Whenever I shared my point of view, I was often so focused on explaining why I thought that way that I was not always willing to listen to or understand the other person’s perspective.
I never really noticed this habit until I became a part of Amal.
During our sessions, group discussions, and project meetings, I came across people with different opinions, experiences, and ways of thinking. Sometimes, two people could look at the same situation and have completely different understandings of it. What surprised me was that both perspectives could make sense in their own ways.
I gradually started realizing that sharing your opinion does not mean that your opinion is the only right one. Listening to someone does not mean you have to agree with them. It simply means giving them the respect and space to express what they think and why they think that way.
This was a very important realization for me because I understood that every person has a different background, experience, and way of looking at things. There is always something we can learn from someone else’s perspective if we are willing to listen.
The People Behind This Change
I genuinely believe that this change in me would not have been possible without the people around me, especially our facilitators, Miss Nida and Miss Zuhha.
They created an environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their thoughts, even when their opinions were different from others. They never made us feel that there was only one correct way to think or express ourselves. Instead, they encouraged us to listen, participate, question, and respect one another.
Their way of communicating, handling different opinions, and making everyone feel included taught me a lot. Sometimes, we learn more from the way people behave than from what they actually say, and I think this was one of those experiences for me.
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I also learned so much from my batchmates. Being surrounded by dedicated, talented, and optimistic people helped me see things from different angles. Every discussion gave me something to think about, and every interaction taught me something new. My girls’ group, in particular, made this journey even more special. The comfort, support, laughter, and memories we shared are something I will always cherish.
A Change Beyond Amal
The best part of this realization is that it did not stay limited to the fellowship. I started noticing a change in my personal life as well.
For example, whenever someone in my family has a different opinion from mine, I now try to understand their point of view instead of immediately defending my own. I have started giving more importance to listening and understanding before responding.
Of course, I am still learning, and I know I have a long way to go. But being able to recognize this change in myself makes me genuinely happy. It feels good to know that I am not just learning new things but also becoming a better person in my everyday life.
What Would I Do Differently?
If I could go back to the beginning of this journey, I would tell myself to be even more open from day one. I would encourage myself to participate more, ask more questions, interact with more people, and never hesitate to share my thoughts.
I would also remind myself not to be afraid of making mistakes or feeling uncomfortable while trying something new. Making my first video taught me that sometimes we just need to take the first step, even when we are unsure of ourselves.
Most importantly, I would tell myself to listen with an open mind because every person has something valuable to share.
More Than Just a Certificate
As my Amal journey moves forward, I know I will carry much more than the knowledge and skills I gained here. I will carry the confidence to express myself, the courage to try new things, the beautiful connections I made, the memories of our informals, and most importantly, the habit of understanding people before judging their perspectives.
Amal has reminded me that personal growth is not always about becoming someone completely different. Sometimes, it is about recognizing the little things in ourselves that need to change and making an effort to become better.
I am truly grateful to Miss Nida and Miss Zuhha for creating such a positive learning environment and helping me discover this change within myself. Thank you for not just teaching us but also inspiring us through your actions.
And to my girls’ group and all my batchmates, thank you for making this journey so memorable.
If there is one thing I would take away from Amal, it is this: You don’t always have to change someone’s perspective, and you don’t always have to prove your own. Sometimes, the most beautiful thing you can do is simply listen and understand.
And that, for me, is one of the biggest gifts Amal has given me.
