Fatima
“Do not let others’ opinions define you.”
Fatima is a collaborative and innovative researcher and academic, whose mission is to create inclusivity, especially in the areas of technology, social media, and literature. She is also the former co-founder of the Lebanese Bookish Community, which provides reviews, discussion forums, literary exercises, and booklists to its members. The pandemic has been a time of growth and self improvement for her, as she was able to pinpoint her career goals and make worthwhile shifts in both her professional and personal life. She faces challenges head on, makes valuable adaptations, and knows that adversity ultimately leads to progress. Meet Fatima. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
F: Fatima Al Husseiny is a self-motivated academic researcher from Lebanon. Her research interests are related to educational technology and social media topics. Fatima assisted in publishing two high-quality indexed journal articles and currently expanding her research collaborations. She is advocating for better virtual media and e-learning use by youth. Fatima believes in long-life learning and commitment to personal values and life goals while pursuing professional growth.
K: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
F: I am a self-motivated introvert who is passionate about personal growth.
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
F: I am persistent, and I do not believe anything will stop me from getting what I deserve. Even if I am challenged, I adapt to move on.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
F: There was a long period of challenge that started back in 2020, where the whole pandemic prevailed. I was a traditional teacher back then. I wanted to grow into a different version of myself, or to explore a version of me that I did not know existed. Teaching was not my end goal in life. I was confused and overwhelmed by my growth experiences back then. I would proudly declare to myself today after last year's challenge, and that without the global pandemic, I wouldn't have had the chance to discover myself. During the one-year lockdown, I had the opportunity and peace of mind to learn about what kind of person I wanted to become in the future, and what kind of person I was seven years back; I was able to reflect on my experiences and move on.
K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
F: Move on and do not let others' opinions define you.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
F: I believe in my human side. I call myself a human, not limiting myself to a label.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
F: Since I believe in the human nature of our existence, I prefer not to tackle this question. No one woman or man inspires me; several human beings do.