Connecticut College has encouraged a greater awareness of diversity and an expanding cultural knowledge more fervently in the past few years. In lieu of recent crises in the Middle East and Northern Africa, it is imperative that students have the resources to endow them with a knowledge of these cultures. For those students on campus who wish to learn more about Arabic culture, there shines a beacon of hope. Yalla Bina, Conn’s only Arabic club, is dedicated to educating students about the unique culture and people from the Arabic-speaking world. With meetings centering around the food, media and current events of Arabic speaking cultures, Yalla Bina is held together by a tight group of close friends who are dedicated to enhancing their collective knowledge of the subject. Two representatives from Yalla Bina, Christine Connolly ’16 and Vanessa Correia ’16, told the Voice about what the club hopes to accomplish over the year and what being a member of the group entails.
The College Voice: First off, what does Yalla Bina mean in English?
Christine Connolly: “Yalla Bina” translates to “Come on, everyone!” We think of Yalla Bina’s name as reflective of its mission: to get any and all students excited about Arabic language and culture and to create a welcoming community for Arabic speakers, learners, and enthusiasts on campus.
TCV: Are there any qualifications for being a member of Yalla Bina?
Vanessa Correia: Not a one! All are welcome and we love meeting new members. As long as you’ve got some curiosity and a drive to learn in you, we would be honored to have you!
TCV: What are some of the goals of the club?
VC: We’re always looking to grow. We currently have a dedicated but small group that routinely comes to our meetings (Mondays at 9:30pm in the A9 seminar room in the library basement!). We would love to see some new faces and are always looking for fresh ideas and diverse perspectives that can enrich our programming, so please join us!
TCV: What does a typical meeting usually entail?
VC: A typical meeting involves our lovely members gathering and updating one another on any happenings within the Arabic department or language and culture center. We plan events such as those mentioned and discuss current events. We also love to collaborate with other organizations on campus and are always inviting other club representatives to work with us on something new, inclusive and exciting!
TCV: What are some of the popular events that Yalla Bina hosts throughout the academic year?
CC: Hands down, our most popular events are those centered around food. We LOVE cooking Middle Eastern food (homemade hummus, anyone?) and breaking bread with many different groups across campus. In the past, we have collaborated with Hillel to put on the “Jerusalem Food Tour,” an event that took attendees on a culinary and historical journey through Jerusalem’s many diverse neighborhoods. Yalla Bina also often holds screenings of films from and about the Arab world, particularly those that focus on current events. Some of our favorites are “The Square,” a documentary about the protests in Tahrir Square that began the Egyptian Revolution in 2011, and “Captain Abu Raed,” a feature film produced in Jordan.
TCV: What interested you in joining Yalla Bina?
CC: Before coming to Conn, I knew that I wanted to study both Arabic language and the history and culture of the Middle East. When I arrived, I was lucky enough to find a great group of students who were deeply passionate about the same things and had created an organization dedicated to sharing those interests with the campus community. Yalla Bina has been a great way for me to explore my academic interests outside of the classroom.
VC: I originally became involved with Yalla Bina after being encouraged to join by our Arabic professor my first year here. Being Lebanese, I was immediately thrilled to become a part of the club and explore the initiatives here at Conn that aim to connect with Middle Eastern culture.
TCV: Are there any upcoming events that students who are not academically involved in Arabic can look forward to?
VC: Absolutely! Stay tuned for film screenings and of course, more food-filled events. Last semester, we were able to do several events at which we raised money for Save the Children, an NGO dedicated to providing all children with basic human rights, which includes the right to a healthy life. We are certainly hoping to continue that streak, potentially by selling some of our coveted camel scarves, so watch out for those!
For those looking to join Yalla Bina, the club meets on Monday’s at 9:30 p.m. in the A9 seminar room in the basement of Shain Library. Or, you can email Vanessa or Christine at their conncoll emails. They are always looking for new members who can help them eat the delicious food, get caught up on current events and enjoy artistic accomplishments from the Arabic speaking portions of the world. •
