A Whole New World: The Magic of Saying Yes to the Unknown | Alaa Zaid | TEDxStetsonU

Key Concepts

• Comfort Zone: The state of familiarity and routine, often hindering personal growth.
• Fulbright FLTA Program: A non-degree program focused on cultural exchange through language teaching.
• Cultural Exchange: The sharing and understanding of different cultures.
• Language as a Tool: The use of language for communication, connection, and opportunity.
• Connections: Building relationships and networks for personal and professional growth.
• Universalities: Shared experiences and commonalities across cultures.
• Personal Growth: The process of self-discovery, learning, and development.
• Saying Yes: Embracing new opportunities and experiences.
• Mental Space: Creating distance from worries to gain clarity and perspective.
• Cultural Ambassador: Representing and sharing one's culture with others.

Leaving the Comfort Zone

The speaker begins by describing her life before 2020 as confined to Egypt, never having traveled or experienced life outside her familiar surroundings. She felt stuck in a monotonous routine of a 9-to-5 job, eagerly awaiting weekends and paychecks. Despite financial responsibilities being a reason for not socializing, she realized she had lost the desire to try new things.

Inspiration and Application

In 2022, learning about a friend's Fulbright scholarship sparked a hidden desire. In 2023, she expanded her network, connecting with people from around the world whose stories inspired her. This led her to apply for the Fulbright FLTA program, a non-degree program focused on cultural exchange. Despite her fears of rejection, she applied and was accepted, arriving at Stetson University in Florida in August 2024. She submitted her application only five minutes before the deadline.

The Role of Language

Language, particularly English, played a crucial role in her journey. It opened doors to various jobs, facilitated connections with people, and enabled her to complete the Fulbright application. Although she attended a small public school where English was just a subject, her passion for the language led her to pursue it further at Al-Azhar University, where she studied its linguistic and cultural aspects.

Cultural Challenges and Discoveries

Despite her proficiency in English, she faced cultural challenges, such as understanding slang expressions and different accents. She mentions the word "low key" as an example. However, she was fortunate to have friends who helped her navigate these challenges. She initially expected more differences than similarities between cultures but found close friendships and shared experiences, realizing the universalities between people, exemplified by the similarities between her Egyptian mom and her American friend's mom.

Experiences and Connections

The speaker shares experiences like surviving Hurricane Ian in Florida, where friends from another state drove her and others to safety in Georgia. She also spent Thanksgiving with a Native American friend in South Dakota and Colorado, learning about their culture, visiting historical sites, and sharing meals. She cooked Egyptian food, and they cooked Native American food, including wild rice and Native American bread. She also saw snow for the first time.

Cultural Ambassador and Teaching

As a Fulbright FLTA, she integrates cultural elements into her teaching. She organized events like "Hijab Talks" to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding. She addresses common misconceptions about hijab, emphasizing her willingness to answer questions and bridge cultural gaps. She and her friends created their own Ramadan traditions, having iftar together and visiting different mosques.

Personal Growth and Transformation

Exploring new places, having visited 13 states on a limited budget, broadened her perspectives. She discusses a family disaster two years prior, where her father suffered a severe brain stroke, which impacted her family. Traveling provided her with the mental space to process her emotions and find solutions. She discovered her ability to navigate airports, manage expenses, and even cook without setting off the fire alarm. A fire alarm incident even led to her first American friendship. She learned to say "yes" to new opportunities, leading to personal growth and new versions of herself.

Notable Quotes

• "As Mark Twain once said, 20 years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than the things or than the ones you did do."

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new experiences, and discover their potential. She emphasizes that change is essential for personal growth and inspiring others. She poses the question: "When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone and what did you discover about yourself?" She encourages the audience to explore, dream, and discover.