I'm someone who loves being outdoors; hiking and travelling are my favourite ways to see new places. I'm also a big reader and journaller, which helps me process things and reflect on my experiences. Climate and education are issues I really care about, so I try to get involved through activism and volunteering whenever I can. I think these things all connect for me: travelling makes you aware of global issues, reading gives you perspective, and volunteering actually lets you do something about it. I'm from Algeria, but I've lived in a few different places during my studies, which has shaped how I see the world.

 

It's the community. When I was researching ELTE online, I could see how much it prioritises building a real community where students feel included and valued. 

The quality of education and the diversity of students. Learning with people from different backgrounds makes classes more interesting.

The biggest challenge was the transition from a master's to a PhD. In a master's, there's a clear structure; you have deadlines and coursework. With a PhD, you're suddenly managing coursework, research, and your own life all at once, and you have to be disciplined about creating your own schedule and pace. It was harder than I expected because no one's telling you what to do anymore. You have to figure out what matters most and balance it yourself.

I started by trying different approaches to see what actually worked for me. I tested different schedules, ways of organising my research and coursework, and ways of managing my time. Once I figured out what worked, I stuck with it.

It equips me to improve language education through research and teaching. That aligns with my passion for making education more accessible and effective.

Connect with people, socialise, and build genuine relationships. Don't isolate yourself. And when you struggle, reach out for help. People are actually there for you. AND remember that finding your own way is part of the journey. You don't have to do it like everyone else, and that's okay. Your path doesn't have to look like someone else's.