In 2013, I started as a volunteer teaching Dutch to newly arrived Syrian refugees in various emergency shelters in Amsterdam. I was captivated by the immense tenacity of these people, who had left their homes in extreme circumstances and were determined to learn and master the Dutch language.
Because I wanted to teach them in a professional manner, I decided to follow the course required to become a teacher of Dutch as a second language. I have now been teaching for three years, and I am still thoroughly enjoy teaching a range of different groups of people at various institutions.
In addition, I work as a photographer at the Archaeological Institute of the University of Amsterdam, I teach photography courses, and, being a fan of documentaries, my friend and I set up the ‘DocDoc Foundation’ and made the documentary Batuta in 2018, about the 16 year old Syrian girl Pegy.
Having studied Italian and Greek before, and since I am learning Arabic for quite some time now too, I am familiair with the difficulties, but mostly the fun that comes with learning a new language.
