The last one
My first two weeks at Amal were full of surprises and excitement. I wasn’t familiar with this method of teaching and I was thrilled to find out about so many interesting activities.
Now, I am someone who shares her life with her friends but none of my friends were enrolled at Amal at that time. I missed the feeling of talking to a friend who could understand this new chapter of my life.
Then one day I got to know that one of my university fellows, Kashaf was also at Amal, she is currently a part of Batch 146. While my siblings were making fun of me because they saw me drawing a dog in one of the sessions, I found solace in Kashaf.
We both used to discuss our weekend sessions in detail on Sunday, we would exchange notes, consult each other for help on PWs, and share insights about our learning. Kashaf pushed me to do my best for which I am forever thankful to her.
In university, we were just two strangers, but now due to Amal fellowship we have become very close friends and I am glad I was able to connect with her. Once the fellowship ends, I will miss all the zoom meetings she and I used to have discussed the problems we were facing in our project works.
The beginning of my Amal Journey was full of anxiety and anticipation. I remember I used to feel butterflies in my stomach before each session. I don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera and become extremely self-conscious after seeing my face on the screen. I challenged myself to attend the sessions with confidence and zest, without caring about how I look.
After the 3rd session, I called Kashaf and told her how I think I will never get used to seeing my face on the screen, and now 3 months later, it’s normal for me.
I knew a little bit about Amal but I didn’t know in detail what I will learn. I had no idea what to expect from this journey. But this journey was full of surprises. The first online course made us take a personality test which was a really good start. I didn’t know I had so many traits I was unaware of.
My experience of working in groups hasn’t been nice in the past so I didn’t have high hopes from my learning group but life is full of surprises. My first learning group went well. and I am now good friends with the people I met there.
One of the online courses in the first two weeks, “Ek or Ek Gyara” was my favorite part of the beginning. I learned the value of teamwork and how to work in a team. The traits of an MVTP were very helpful for me as well. I was able to learn the following things:
- 4 tips on how to become an MVTP
- How to give effective feedback
- concept of linchpin
I remember that in one of the PWs we were asked to list down our goals and identify the whys behind them. That activity made me reevaluate my life choices in depth and rethink the purpose of my life. I learned that a fulfilling purpose behind every goal will give me more passion to pursue that goal.
I have never considered myself a helpful person but that notion changed at the end of July. One of my fellows didn’t understand the personality type she had and since I am a student of psychology, I volunteered to help her out. Similarly, some of my fellows struggled with their PWs and I helped them out as well. This aspect of myself was hidden from me before and I unlocked it with the help of some amazing people I met on my Amal Journey.
Writing this article makes me feel so nostalgic even though I have two more sessions left. I am now a different person from who I was in July 2020 and I am thankful for the choices I have made. Amal will be one of the best decisions of my life and I am proud of myself for enrolling here.
