How learning Arabic changed the way I travel and gave me an unexpected friend

How learning Arabic made travel more meaningful for me.

I was staring at a beautiful ceramic jar in a shop that had once served as a charity hub in Mosul, Iraq, when a man’s voice caught my attention. 

In Arabic, he asked me to go ahead and take something without paying.

He was the shop owner, a local who expressed his typical, warm generosity. 

Though I understood what he said, I grew nervous, realising it was my first time speaking Arabic outright as a tourist.

I couldn’t find the right words to respond.

But thanks to my Arabic lessons on Preply with Leen, I remembered a few words to say and got myself back.

Before it got any awkward, I told the shop owner, “shukran, bas hātha ḥilw… bikam hātha?” (Thank you, but it’s beautiful. How much is it?)

Even in just a few words, I was able to speak, and that was just the start of many conversations I would have in Iraq.

And the genuine connections took that trip in a whole new dimension.

You, dear reader, support this blog. When you purchase through a link, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Arabic? Why now?

I’ve travelled through cities, remote places, and even across continents for as long as I can remember. 

But after working at Expo 2020 Dubai, I was hooked on the Middle East. This part of the world holds so much to discover!

From the UAE to Oman and Jordan, travel eventually became way more than just being in a new destination or chasing adventure.

These destinations let me experience a culture defined by extraordinary hospitality and a beautiful, profound faith. 

And the best part was the people I met.

So I craved for true connection. And I couldn’t think of a better way than learning Arabic.

If you feel the same way about your destination, you sign up to Preply.

I have a link which gives you 70% off on your first lesson.

Before I had an online tutor, I felt I had missed out on a lot. 

If only I were able to laugh the moment they crack a joke, understand the lyrics of their favourite local music, or ask more questions when a conversation starts to get real. 

But after meeting Leen, I knew I could make up for those regrets. 

To the strangers who eventually became friends after we shared Iftar (evening meal) during Ramadan. 

To the relationships I never expected to build, yet ones that will leave a lasting impact on my life.

And to my then-most-anticipated trip to Iraq.

Finding Leen on Preply

When I started my Arabic learning journey, I knew I wanted to take it seriously. 

At first, I was thinking of using an app because it’s likely easier to access in my free time than to adjust my schedule.

However, I realised I needed a human approach to keep learning engaging enough to stay attentive. 

Languages often have nuances, so I’m asking questions and clarifying as needed.

With no time to waste, I started checking recommendations from friends and googling for an online language-learning platform.

I came across Preply.

Wanting to make sure I’ll find the right tutor, I read reviews and compared options.

And that’s how I found Leen, who has been my Arabic teacher for over 2 years now.

She was one of the matches suggested to me after answering a few thoughtful questions about my preferences for a Preply Arabic tutoring service. 

Thankfully, the platform also asks for the student’s availability.

Being an Arabic native speaker with a structured lesson flow, Leen could make every online session approachable and enjoyable. 

Her profile and video introduction show that she’s very proficient in English, too. That’s one area of common ground that could encourage my participation and make it easier for her to explain.

But what I liked most about her as a match was that she curates a learning plan based on her learner’s motivation and fluency level.

As you know, my goal was to learn Arabic for travel and culture, and I was excited about how Leen would make it interesting.

I never thought that signing up for Preply’s Arabic for beginners would be as straightforward and fun.

I booked Leen, and the rest was history.

More than just lessons 

Our weekly online meet-ups were both productive and enjoyable.  

As I continued my weekly classes, I found myself not just learning the language but also becoming committed to learning something new. 

More than just lessons, I also began to open up to an amazing individual who would eventually become my good friend.

Leen was always well-prepared for our lessons, and respecting that and her time was enough reason to show up consistently.

Structured, but mindful of her students’ needs. She knows how to listen.

During one of my first lessons with her, I mentioned that I’d been to the UAE, where she was based. 

From “how was your day” small talk, we moved on to sharing our experiences in Middle Eastern countries, discussing cultural nuances and norms, and before we knew it, we were at ease with each other.

Apparently, what she did worked.

Until it no longer feels like I’m taking a class but catching up with a friend every week, only with quizzes 🙂

Kidding aside, without her realising it, the friendship we developed opened my mind more to a culture that many had not fully seen.

Our conversations made me appreciate her culture’s unmatched hospitality and faith that encourages Zakat and Sadaqah (charity and generosity).

The sharing of meals from a large platter and love for close gatherings. 

I learned their own way of saying grace: Bismillah and Alhamdulillah.

And without much planning, I met her on a recent trip to the UAE.

Because of our weekly classes, it felt like meeting a longtime friend.

Just last year, we agreed to go to an event together in Dubai, and when I celebrated my birthday there, guess what? I was so, so happy she came.

After all, she, in a way, had opened the doors to the Middle East as no one else could have.

How Arabic changed travel 

Several months after I met Leen to learn Arabic online, my unforgettable first night in Mosul, Iraq, where I also had a brief, memorable encounter with the shop owner, happened.

That didn’t end there, either in simply reading signs or ordering food. 

I didn’t have to stay in Iraq for years and acquire a native tongue to find a true connection.

With only a few basic words, they felt my respect and genuine interest in their culture.

I was able to speak with a priest, a poet, a teacher, and, of course, some amazing Iraqi people.

There are landscapes and definitely history, but through real Arabic conversations, I never realised I was challenging the narratives as well. 

In the process of rebuilding churches and mosques after past conflicts, and continued efforts to maintain peace, I saw kindness and generosity that never left Iraq’s soul.

Their resilience helped me understand what it means to live in the moment.

And I felt that these newfound “hidden gems” were the reason I was there, and they were truly worth sharing. 

And that’s how I ended up creating content about Iraq, which reached over a million views. 

These wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t gained confidence to explore by speaking to people.

And I took pride in sending a message that was not just about looking at destinations from the outside, but to participate in them. 

Just like how Leen allowed me to participate in our lessons, not just a student on the receiving end.

The unexpected gift 

Looking back, it seems meeting Leen was meant to happen. 

Her calm demeanour, structured approach, and intentional learning plan were the best way to learn Arabic. 

Especially if you’re someone who learns fast when it sparks passion. And she managed to awaken that passion in me.

But it wasn’t just really about learning a new language. 

Respecting another person’s time and keeping an open mind and heart toward those you meet regularly, such as tutors, matters just as much.

After all, you’re using a platform that thrives in human interaction, like Preply.

From where we started, as a teacher and a learner, to being friends – today I am extremely grateful to have Leen in my life. Not just as a teacher, but most of all as my friend, whom I cherish a lot and hope to see one day again.

She was not just the best match for an online Arabic tutor, but she also deeply inspired me to delve deeper into the language she taught me.😄

My final thoughts

Travel is an opportunity for a larger-than-life, immersive experience. 

Whether you want to simply explore a culture or understand norms to relate or nurture relationships, speaking a local’s language, well-meaning phrases, no matter how few, can create priceless connections. 

And Preply made it possible for me in thoughtful ways that no other app could. 

Making sure you’ll match with your own Leen, the platform allows learners to book a trial at -70% off, and not just once.

Sure, there’s a language you’ve been wanting to speak. You can learn more about Preply and sign up here.

Make learning a new language fun, and let your walls down when it’s time. 

Discovering your match can be like opening a gift of friendship, just like mine with Leen.