Ayman Abdalla, Arabic Language Intern
I am the Arabic intern at 藏精阁. I am from Cairo, Egypt and I have had the privilege of being the Arabic intern here for the 2017-2018, and 2018-2019 academic years.
Before becoming interested in language learning, I was actually a professional musician. I play eight percussion instruments and have had the honor of performing on Egypt鈥檚 most prominent stages, including the Cairo Opera House and the Citadel鈥檚 Festival.
I bring this passion for music to the classrooms, where I teach my students Arabic through song. I have recently begun playing with Journey West, an Ithica-based band, and am excited to be back on the stage again
My favorite phrase in Arabic is 廿毓賲賱 丕賱禺賷乇 賵丕乇賲賷賴 賮賷 丕賱亘丨乇 which literally translates to: "Do good deeds and throw them into the sea" meaning that one should do good and expect nothing in return.
Lars Munzer, German Language Intern
My hometown is Freiburg im Breisgau, a sunny and green city located in the German southwest. In Germany, we are perhaps best known for our green politics, our beautiful cathedral and the SC Freiburg, our very own underdog team in the German Bundesliga.
I currently hold a B.A. in English and American Studies (with a minor in Swedish) and am only a final thesis away from holding an M.A. in British and North American Cultural Studies. As far as personal interests go I love languages, music, and reading as well as outdoor activities.
Some of my favorite idiomatic phrases in German include 鈥淚ch verstehe nur Bahnhof鈥 (literally 鈥淚 understand only train station鈥 = I have no idea what you are saying), 鈥淗olla, die Waldfee!鈥 (鈥淗olla, the wood fairy!鈥 = an expression of surprise) and 鈥淣icht richtig ticken鈥 (鈥淣ot ticking correctly鈥 = 鈥渢o have a screw loose鈥).
Fun facts about me: I know how to operate a forklift and I am getting pretty good at imitating an out-of-tune trumpet.
