Father/ papá

Mother/ madre

grandma/ abuela
grandpa/ abuelo

Aunt/ tía

Uncle/ tío

sister/Hermana

brother/Hermano

friend male/Amigo

friend female/Amiga

I can speak fluent Arabic and Swedish and that's because I grew up in Sweden and my mother language is Arabic. I also know English because I learned it in school.

2. Identify your language phase for each language you use. (Use the Language Phases Chart from Step One)

Swedish:

It all turned out to be a pancake is a Swedish phrase that means that something went really wrong, for example, I had an idea and it didn't turn out the way I had imagined it to be, so it all turned out to be a pancake.

Arabic:

Ale rasi is an Arabic phrase, if we translate the phrase directly it's going to be on my head, but this has a beautiful meaning behind it, and that is you will do someone's favor with pleasure. People usually say it to someone they respect.

English:

Better late than never is an English phrase, and it is said by people who are often late. It is better to come late than not come at all.

3.What can you do and not do with your language(s)? Please refer to each language if you speak more than one.

English:

• Verbs are fairly easy to conjugate, usually by adding "-s" for the third person singular: "I play, you play, he/she/it plays". 

• The word order is usually subject-verb-object, which means that the subject precedes the verb and the object: "She eats apples".

•  English uses a variety of modal verbs that convey different shades of meaning and possibility, such as can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.

•  Spelling and pronunciation can be complicated because of the many exceptions and irregular words.

Arabic:

• Verbs in Arabic change based on tense, person and gender: "كتبت" (katabtu - I wrote), "يقرا" (yaqra'u - he reads).

• Word order in Arabic can vary but usually follows a pattern similar to subject-verb-object or subject-verb-object. 

• Arabic uses a unique writing system that is written from right to left. 

Swedish: 

• Nouns have different genders and inflections: "en bil" a car, "bilen" the car.

•  The word order in Swedish is usually subject-verb-object, similar to English.

•  Swedish uses different tenses to indicate time, for example present (now), preterit (past), and future (future). 

• There are some irregular verb forms and grammatical constructions that can be challenging for new people to understand.
  

4. What is your cultural background? If you belong to more than one culture, be sure to consider the multiple cultures that make up who you are.     
I am an ethnic Iraqi, I have learned everything about my Iraqi traditions from my parents, and it has become an important part of my life. It has given me a strong connection to my cultural identity, which I am grateful for. At the same time, I have also had the privilege of growing up in Sweden, which has given me a unique experience and influenced me in different ways. I have been exposed to Swedish culture and adopted some typical Swedish behavior. I am proud of my roots and how they have helped shape my identity.

5.What language(s) are spoken in your culture(s)?

Arabic is officially spoken in Iraq, but there are also other languages ​​spoken by different ethnic groups, such as Kurdish, Turkish and Assyrian. Sweden has Swedish as its official language, but there are also many people who speak other languages ​​due to the country's multicultural nature. It is common to hear languages ​​such as Arabic, Persian, Somali and many more.   

6.Do you have friends from a different cultural background? With which cultures different from your own are you most familiar    

I have lots of different friends who come from different backgrounds. Especially when I lived in Sweden, Sweden is a very multicultural society. I had friends from Kurdistan, Iran, Turkey, Somalia, and lots more from other different nationalities. I have always loved to learn more about my friend's culture. It has made me try out different foods, traditions, music, I have even learned a few words from their languages. I am familiar with many different cultures which is very different from my own culture. I have always been a curious person who loves to learn about new cultures, which allows me to connect and understand others better and appreciate them and their traditions.

7.How do you feel when you encounter different cultural experiences? Provide a specific example.   

I will always meet different cultures with a positive curiosity. As I said, I love learning more about people's culture, it makes me feel like I get closer to that person and I have more understanding about their background which I always appreciate. An example of that was when I was with my Ethiopian friend and I tried for the first time an Ethiopian dish injera. I was a little nervous as I've never seen anything like it, but once I tried it, I loved it. And I really realized that it's something I've been missing in my life and I'm so thankful that I have friends from different nationalities who have made me explore things I probably wouldn't have.

8.What do you believe is the relationship between language and culture?     

Regarding the relationship between language and culture, I believe that language is not only a tool for communication, but also a mirror of the culture in which it is spoken. Through language, we can express our values, traditions and ways of looking at the world. It can be through word choice, expression, and even grammar. Language can also influence how we think and interpret the world around us. For example, some languages ​​may have more words to describe specific colors or shades, which can affect how people in that culture perceive and experience colors. Similarly, language can also affect how we express politeness, respect or closeness in our interactions with other people. By sharing a common language, people can feel a stronger connection to their culture and to each other.

9.Why is learning another language so important in today’s world?     
There are several reasons why we should learn another language in today's world. First, it helps us communicate with people from different cultures and backgrounds. By being able to speak their language, we can create stronger relationships, understand their perspective, and build bridges between different communities. In addition, it opens up many opportunities both personally and professionally. Being able to speak several languages ​​can be of great advantage when looking for a job, especially in a globalized world where companies operate across national borders. Learning another language can also train our minds and improve our cognitive abilities. So, learning another language is not only a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be a valuable investment in ourselves and our understanding of the global world we live in.

10.What language(s) other than your own have you previously studied?    

I studied Swedish throughout my childhood as I grew up with it and went to a Swedish school and lived in a Swedish society, then I have also learned English through school, movies, and series. I also want to learn Spanish as I know it would benefit me.

11.How do you think you will use your target language in the future? Consider ways that you might use your target language in your career area of interest.   

Being able to speak Spanish would be incredibly beneficial to me wanting to become a flight attendant. As a flight attendant, I will interact with passengers from different parts of the world, and that includes Spanish-speaking passengers. Being able to communicate with them in their native language would not only make them more comfortable and welcome on board, but it would also help resolve any issues or questions they may have. It would create a better customer experience and make me a more efficient and versatile flight attendant. So mastering Spanish would definitely be an advantage in my

12.What challenges do you feel you may encounter in your language studies?    

I generally think that everything will be challenging, especially Grammar and pronunciation I think can be tricky. But with time, I think I will build up a large vocabulary and be able to communicate fluently in Spanish

13.How will you meet these challenges?   

I will face these challenges by being patient and practicing regularly. I will also use different resources such as apps to improve my grammar and pronunciation. But also listen to Spanish music and watch movies and TV series in Spanish.

tiger is tigre

zebra is cebra

squirrel is ardilla

sheep is oveja

rabbit is conejo

pig is cerdo

monkey is mono

lion is león

dog is perro

cat is gato

frog is rana

Day 1: Arrival in Madrid

Morning: Arrive at the Hotel Atlántico, which is ideally situated close to Gran Vía, a street well-known for its famous stores and theaters. Price per night: €100.
Afternoon: Explore Madrid's city center's historic streets while taking in sights like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor.
Evening: Savor a customary Spanish meal at Casa Botín, a world-renowned restaurant .

Day 2: Royal Palace and Museums
Morning: Marvel at the lavish chambers and vast gardens of the magnificent Royal Palace of Madrid. €13 is the admission price.
Afternoon: Take in the works of art at the Prado Museum, which is home to artworks by Goya, Velázquez, and other masters. €15 is the admittance price.
Evening: Enjoy a meal at Café de Oriente, which has stunning views of the Royal Palace, then unwind in Retiro Park. Price is €20-30 per person.

Day 3: Culture and Art
Morning: See Picasso's "Guernica" and other marvels of modern art at the Reina Sofia Museum. Admission is €10 per person.
Afternoon: stroll through the fashionable areas of Chueca and Malasaña, which are renowned for their colorful street art and unique stores.
Evening: One of the best flamenco venues in Madrid is Corral de la Morería, where you can feel the passion of flamenco. Cost: Between €40 to €50 per person.

Day 4: Journey to Toledo Throughout the Day
Morning: Take the train to Toledo and explore its winding streets while taking in sights like the Toledo Cathedral. Cost: Train tickets for a round-trip cost about €20.
Afternoon: Visit the Alcázar fortress and enjoy panoramic views of the city from its walls. Admission costs €11.
Evening: Go back to Madrid and have dinner at Botín, where they have their renowned roast lamb. Price: About €30–40 per person.

Day 5: Savory Guide
Morning: Take a gourmet tour of Madrid's markets, stopping at Mercado de San Miguel to sample tapas and regional specialties. Cost: Food tastings run between €20–€30.
In the afternoon, take a cooking lesson at Kitchen Club Madrid to learn how to prepare sangria and paella. Cost: Between €70 and €80 per person.
Evening: Indulge in a meal at DiverXO, a Michelin-starred eatery renowned for its cutting-edge fare. Cost: Between €200 and €300 per person.

Day 6-8: Shopping and relaxation.
Day 6: Explore Gran Vía and El Corte Inglés for designer products and souvenirs. Cost: varies depending on purchases.
Day 7: Enjoy a spa day at Hammam Al Ándalus, including massages and hot baths. Cost: Around €70-90 per person.
Day 8: Depart from Madrid with wonderful recollections of your Spanish adventure. Cost: Variable, based on flight expenses.

When staying in Madrid you can book a room, at Hotel Atlántico for €100 per night.

For a four star hotel in Dubais city center like the Rove Downtown expect to pay around 500 AED per night which's roughly €116.

Dining Options;

Enjoying dinner at Casa Botín in Madrid typically costs between €30 40 per person.

In Dubai, a dining experience at a restaurant such as Al Fanar Restaurant would set you back about 150 200 AED per person equivalent to €35 to 47.

Getting Around;

A metro ride in Madrid is priced at €1.50.

In Dubai hopping on the Dubai Metro for a journey will cost you between 3 7 AED or approximately €0.70 1.60.

Sightseeing Destinations;

Visiting the Prado Museum in Madrid requires an admission fee of €15.

Similarly exploring attractions like the Dubai Museum in Dubai will cost around 15 20 AED for entry roughly translating to €3.50 4.70.

Excursions and Day Trips;

Traveling from Madrid to Toledo via train will set you back €20 for a round trip ticket.

If you're planning a day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi with transportation included budget around 100 to 200 AED or roughly €23 to €47, for the excursion.

Engaging Activities;

In Madrid, a cooking class, at Kitchen Club Madrid typically costs around €70 to €80 per person.

Meanwhile in Dubai, a similar culinary experience like a cooking lesson at Top Chef Cooking Studio can range from 300 to 500 AED ( €70 to 116) per person.

Spa Day

For a spa day in Madrid you can expect to spend between €70 and €90 per person at Hammam Al Ándalus.

On the hand indulging in a massage at The Ritz Carlton Spa in Dubai may cost between 500 and 800 AED per person which's about €116, to 186.