“My family is still living in Syria. My older brother is in Sweden and I have two sisters. I chose this field of studies because of my love for linguistics, and my love of languages in general, and Arabic in particular. Connecting the common denominator of all languages is the project of my life research. I am studying the characteristics of more than one language, and finding the common language. This project is part of the field of language philosophy, or the philosophy of language. In two months, I will receive my master’s degree after defending my thesis. I spent days writing research papers to my professors at the university, or completing my master’s thesis with determination, perseverance and with patience. I love reading and I read every day, and I love sports too. I have the ability to write linguistic and literary research. I am interested in studying languages, and I hope to learn more than one language. The challenges I faced are mostly financial and transportation. It was very hard to go to my university while I live in Tripoli and my university is in Beirut. It has also been difficult to obtain the resources and references necessary for the master’s thesis. Not to mention, uncomfortable housing, lack of money and inability to work. The HOPES project helped me a lot by paying my annual tuition fees, securing the necessary financial support, and the wonderful treatment from the HOPES administration helped us a lot. This beautiful treatment gave me the necessary motivation to continue and succeed. If it were not for the HOPES project, I certainly would not have been able to complete the master’s degree. Today, I aspire to complete my studies, that is, to apply for a PhD degree outside of Lebanon through a funded scholarship, otherwise this would not be possible. I also aspire to learn a second language and speak fluently, perhaps a third language as well, depending on the circumstances. I also aspire to devote myself to linguistic and vocal research, and to write in my research, articles and books. To become a university professor. To other students facing the same difficulties I say, be patient, and never surrender; no matter the social and financial difficulties.”
By Basel Abbara
2019
