GROSSMONT COLLEGE – Challenged by the process of cultural adaptation as a child, Dr. Sonia Ghattas-Soliman says she has made it her personal goal to help international students “feel comfortable” while learning.

A native of Alexandria, Egypt,  Ghattas-Soliman was immersed in the French language and culture socially and educationally while growing up speaking
Arabic at home.

Every summer her family traveled to Europe, allowing her to utilize her knowledge of French, which she says was very “rewarding”.  However, not being able to speak the languages of some other Euroepan countries without an interpreter was “humbling,” Ghattas-Soliman said in an interview.

For almost 30 years, Ghattas-Soliman, has dedicated her life in the United States to teaching languages and helping students become acquainted with campus diversity.

As Arabic, French and Italian Coordinator, Instructor of Arabic and French, and Arabic Club Advisor, Ghattas-Soliman said she is doing her best to eliminate “foreign” while “bringing the World to Grossmont.”

To hear a segment of the interview, please click here: 20110926-sonia-ghattas-soliman

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Fedor is a student in Media Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected]