Speak Arabic: How Arabic Enhances Ja’Niah’s Journey into Medicine

For her, the choice was never just about language. It was about building a future where she could connect more deeply with people and use her skills to make a difference.

“I know in my career I will come across many people of different backgrounds, religions, races, and ethnicities. I plan to use my education in Arabic to be able to communicate with all of my patients, building bonds with those who I am helping.”

Now in her first year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Ja’Niah is a high school graduate from Chicago majoring in Biology and minoring in Arabic. As a first-generation college student, she is working toward becoming an orthodontist and sees bilingualism as an essential part of providing better care. She believes every patient deserves to feel comfortable and understood, and her Arabic studies are central to that goal.

For students considering what comes next after high school Arabic, her experience reflects a path many are now choosing.

Ja’Niah’s Introduction to Arabic

Ja’Niah studied Arabic throughout all four years of high school. Given the choice between Arabic and Mandarin, she chose Arabic because she was drawn to its beauty and found it genuinely enjoyable to learn. She became increasingly confident as she began to understand conversations and engage with others in the language.

She was an active member of the Arabic Honor Society and Arabic Debate Club, participated in field trips to practice her skills, and earned a merit scholarship to study abroad in Rabat, Morocco. Along the way, she developed practical language skills, from introducing herself to navigating everyday interactions.

Her journey was defined by curiosity, challenges, and growth.

Immersion in Morocco

In Morocco, Ja’Niah studied Darija and lived with a host family, where she strengthened her language skills through daily life. From cooking and learning ingredients to navigating local markets, she built confidence through real-world use of Arabic.

At first, she relied on translation tools to fill in the gaps. However, by the end of the program, she was able to understand most conversations and engage more independently with those around her.

This experience deepened her connection to the language and solidified her goal of becoming fluent. It also gave her the confidence to continue building on her Arabic studies at the university level.

Taking Arabic Further at University

At university, Ja’Niah quickly realized that Arabic goes far beyond what she had learned in high school. As she advanced, she encountered more complex structures and deeper linguistic concepts that challenged her to grow.

She also found new ways to practice outside the classroom by connecting with other students studying Arabic, building confidence through more natural, everyday conversations.

As she continues her studies, she is exploring opportunities such as language exchanges, cultural events, and community engagement to strengthen both her language skills and cultural understanding.

A Key Decision Point and the Role of FYUA

For Ja’Niah, the transition from high school to university was a pivotal moment. She knew she wanted to keep Arabic in her academic path, but continuing language study came with practical considerations.

The First-Year University Award helped make that next step possible.

Without that support, continuing Arabic at this level would have been much more difficult. The award not only provided resources, but also reinforced her commitment to building on what she had started in high school.

At a time when many students stop studying Arabic after graduation, the award helped Ja’Niah stay on track and invest in her future.

That is exactly what the First-Year University Award is designed to do: support students as they carry their Arabic studies into higher education.

Arabic in Her Future Career

As a Biology major with an Arabic minor, Ja’Niah is preparing for dental school while continuing her language studies. She is especially motivated by the role Arabic can play in improving patient care.

“As the world becomes more diverse and interconnected, being bilingual will allow me to communicate effectively with a wide range of patients and provide culturally competent care.”

Her long-term goal is to provide dental care to underserved communities around the world. Being able to communicate across languages and cultures will be essential to that work.

Her story shows how Arabic can open real career pathways and shape professional goals in meaningful ways.

Words of Encouragement

Ja’Niah encourages other students to explore Arabic not only for its uniqueness, but for the opportunities it creates.

“I definitely think you should take the Arabic language. It is really fun. You should start slow and be patient with it. It can feel intimidating at first, but once you get used to it, everything becomes much easier.”