Awatif Abdul Hadi is an engineering technology student, specialising in construction engineering. She is also moderator of the podcast STUDIO NT2, a podcast for and by students of Dutch as a second language at the University of Antwerp. Awatif also tutors secondary school students in maths and is a social interpreter of Arabic-Dutch.
Which languages do you speak?
‘I’m from Iraq and I speak Arabic, Dutch and English. I learnt Dutch through the OKAN programme in Ostend and then I started the science-maths track in the first year of secondary school. After that I chose to study engineering technology at the University of Antwerp, because it’s the only place you can choose construction engineering right from the first year.’
How do you look back on your bachelor programme now that it’s almost over?
‘It was quite tough in the beginning. I was shocked, for instance, by the speed at which the lecturers talked and also by the many different accents. There was a big difference between the language in the lecture hall and the language in secondary school. I didn’t manage to study very well: I went to class, I tried to understand the subject matter, but I didn't write anything down. Then I came home, I watched the recording of the lecture and only then did I start taking notes. Gradually, I learned to take notes during the actual lecture. From the second year, I also dared to ask questions when I didn't understand something. In your first year, you always think you’re the only one who doesn't understand something.’
Are there any things that were better than expected?
‘I expected that being a university, there’d be more distance between students and lecturers. I also take part in lots of activities on campus. For instance, for three years I was a ‘godmother’ to first-year students. Taking part in such initiatives also automatically puts you in touch with your lecturers. But the lecturers themselves also make themselves more approachable. They knew us all by name right from the first year. As you get further into the study programme, the groups also get smaller and you naturally have more contact with the lecturers.’
Are there additional challenges for non-native students?
‘Definitely. As a newcomer or non-native student, you’re often the first person from your family to study at university in Belgium. Studying involves a lot of administration and you have to get used to the education system. But your family can’t always help you with this.’
‘Of course, language is also a challenge for non-native students. We have to learn a subject twice: the first time for language and the second time for content. But I'm not just thinking about specialist terms and academic language. When you do an internship, for example, you come into contact with colleagues who speak dialect. I sometimes struggle with that.’
How did you learn about Monitoraat op Maat?
‘I remember well how I came across MoM. I’d been to the study programme counsellor because I had two or three resits for courses that involve a lot of language and I asked if I could get support for those particular subjects. Then she referred me to a language coach from MoM. There I got not only language coaching but also info about the WhatsApp group for students with Dutch as a second language and about buddy work. That's how I got in touch with other foreign-language students.’
You’ve become a moderator of the podcast STUDIO NT2. Can you tell us a bit more about that?
‘STUDIO NT2 is a podcast for and by students who are non-native speakers of Dutch at UAntwerp, run in collaboration with Monitoraat op Maat. I’m technically the moderator, but actually all participants are moderators. We meet with students from all over, we talk about our experience as students and give each other - and the listeners - tips and tricks. Each episode deals with a different topic, for example oral exams, dealing with new vocabulary or socialising. You can listen to the podcast on YouTube and Spotify or stay up to date via Instagram. We want to raise awareness of the NT2 community through our podcast and connect non-native students so we can support each other.'
You give tips in the podcast. Have you got a specific tip for new students?
‘I would tell them: follow your dream and be curious! Dare to ask questions and, above all, don't be afraid to make mistakes. Find support when you need it: asking for help is a strength, not a weakness! I’ve come a long way myself, and it’s not alwyas been a smooth ride. But the path you take doesn't matter as long as you reach the end goal. You have to look to the future: Where do you want to be two or three years from now?’
What’re you most proud of?
‘I’m proud to still be standing here, despite all the obstacles I faced on the way to earning my engineering degree. I don’t let small or big problems in my studies put me off. I try to stay positive: I use the challenges that come my way as fuel to move forward. My family is a great help in this. Whenever I call home when things are difficult, they say: “We’re behind you all the way!”’
What’re your plans for the future?
‘I’m lucky with my study programme. My degree certificate in construction engineering means I can do all sorts of things. I tutor maths alongside my studies and I get a lot of satisfaction from that. I want to combine construction engineering with teaching, but I also enjoy doing research. I’m also fascinated by the growth of construction projects, so experiencing that at a company is one of my goals. I’ve got lots of dreams and I hope to make many of them come true.’
