Volunteer Youcef Maamra joins Excellence Center from Paris France to provide French language instruction and French cultural immersion to the students here. The Excellent Center sat with Youcef to find out more about his background, his interests and what brought him to Excellence Center for this enriching time.

1. Tell us about yourself.

I am Youcef. I am 26 years old. I am French… originally from Algeria. I now live in Paris. I work as an engineer in mathematics and computer science.

2. How and why did you take time out to teach languages at the Excellent Center?

I am here to teach French. It was an opportunity to share – to share with people because teaching is something important… And I [am] also learning the Palestinian accent [while here].

And I decided I wanted to know more about the culture here. Teaching French is an opportunity for me to do so.

3. Has studying this culture been something you’ve been interested in for a while?

Yeah, actually, I loved this country since I was a kid, so I wanted to visit it and know more about the people here – how they think.

I loved this country since I was a kid, so I wanted to visit it and know more about the people.

4. It seems like a big change from your daily life working as an engineer.

It’s completely different honestly. But it’s very good to change. This change, I think I needed it maybe… needed this break to talk with other people on a  different way of thinking. And like I said, I love this country. And so I wanted to know more about it. …And people [as expected] are very nice.

5. Have you been here before? 

No, it’s my first time. …Yeah, like I said, I’m Algerian. We all love this culture and the people here, but I’ve never met them. I’ve never had the chance… So it’s an opportunity to come here and see it.

6. And have you found what you expected?

Yeah…. more even!

7. You had a positive expectation that you fulfilled but what was your biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge was before coming here. Everyone was saying like, ‘Oh, you’re going to Palestine – to Israel. It’s dangerous’. This was the biggest challenge. But… the majority of people who were saying this, they have never been here, so they don’t know. They just listened to media and we know [about the] media…

My students made a [going away] party for me…. I was speechless

8. Were the media and your friends right? Do you feel that it’s dangerous here ?

No, never. I have never felt danger here. For two weeks here. It’s always been safe. People are very welcoming. …It depends also how we define danger. Normal danger is found everywhere. [the media] would say it’s because of the situation [occupation]. It’s not about that. They just need a reason to say ‘Oh that’s why.’

9. So you have found it safe and welcoming, and the kindness you expected was proven correct. What would be an example that you will take with you?

Honestly, for example like today, I’m teaching French so my students made a [going away] party for me. I wasn’t expecting that at all. I was speechless. …so the kindness always surprises me.

10. Are you going to miss it? 

A lot but I hope that I may come back.

 

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