Ala: difficulties of Western thought

Being smart isn't always enough, and being outspoken may be too much. Getting accepted into a UK university wasn't so hard for Ala. Although purportedly not truly understanding what IELTS was all about, she traveled to Jordan to sit the test as there is no IELTS center in Iraq. She received a 6 point average. This followed a 98% score on her final English exam in high school. Ala was noticeably proud of her acheivement, but clearly felt the need to explain the sting she felt at not being able to gain any recognition in her hometown of Kirkuk. Although top of her class, awards are not given to Kurdish students, especially ones whose fathers have been executed by the Iraqi government.

Now as an assistant lecturer in political science at Sulemaniyah University, Aya still hasn't managed to find acceptance or satisfaction. She descibes education there as a continuation of the Baathist rote-learning received in school. And for those who don't excell at recitation but still wish to pass, money or letters from high-ranking government officials are given to professors. She feels isolated on campus from all but a couple of American professors who encourage her although others have suggested that ideas from abroad are not applicable in the Middle East.

As for me, I am curious what those Western ideas were, but she says she thinks the University of Kurdistan offers a way forward; awarding for merit, critical thinking and problem solving. I hope this is true, but so far the methods for planning and developing this huge project are far from Western.