The first few weeks after arriving in our host country, our days were filled with paperwork, document collecting, searching for a permanent home, and adjusting to cultural norms. 

When my twin sister and I were younger, I was known as the loud, chatty one, and my sister was known as the quiet, listening one. Because of this, I have actively tried to work on being a better listener. I haven’t changed my personality, but I ha...

I walked by the doorkeeper to the building where I taught English and wished him goodnight. He was a friendly man in his seventies, and I often paused to chat briefly with him on my way to and from class. The summer break was right around the corn...

I listen to my friend as she tells me about the news report that I cannot understand on my own. I live in Cairo and the news comes tumbling out of the radio in Arabic. We stand in the kitchen and my friend chooses words and phrases in Arabic that ...