Tom Parkinson
2023 WISLI Urdu Student
Why did you choose to study at WISLI? What motivated you to choose our program?
I decided to study at WISLI as I’d done some research online, and I judged for myself that the program would be excellent. I’d also heard that the University of Wisconsin-Madison had an excellent South Asia Conference and Department, and I assumed on that basis that its teaching of South Asian languages would also be of a high standard.
How has learning a less commonly taught languages enriched your personal and professional life?
Urdu is a beautiful, highly poetic language. Learning it has helped me read different sorts of texts for my research, and it’s opened up a world of communication and connection to which I was previously closed off.
What about WISLI/UW-Madison stands out to you?
Madison is well known for its focus on the study of South Asia. UW-M has an excellent reputation, and the Urdu course lived up to that.
How do you plan to apply proficiency of your target language and cultural skills to your personal/professional journey?
Ostensibly, I’m learning Urdu to read more sources to use in my history research. I work on the history of medicine and disability, and one of the regions I focus on is South Asia in the nineteenth century. I’ve found, however, that I enjoy speaking the language much more than reading it. Holding a conversation in a language that is fairly different from one’s mother tongue is a great feeling.
What were some of the highlights of your program? What events did you particularly enjoy?
The highlight for me would have to be the quality of the teaching. It was immediately apparent that Dr Jameel Ahmad was an expert educator. His teaching style was fun, engaging, and rigorous. Learning more about ghazals, Jameel sahab’s speciality, was also a bonus.
What role did the WISLI Tuition Scholarship play when you were making decisions? How would you encourage other students who might be interested in the scholarship to apply?
I would not have been able to attend the program without the scholarship, simply put. The course is of a very high quality, but it is admittedly very expensive for most people (including myself). I’d encourage anyone with a financial need and with a genuine interest in studying South Asian languages to apply for the Tuition Scholarship.
What advice would you give to students who want to study the same language as you?
Speak, read, write, and listen as much as possible, and don’t be afraid to look stupid! Maybe set some goals at the beginning of your period of study, and remember that half an hour a day is better than long study binges every other weekend (I always need that reminder!).
What is your favorite expression in the language you studied this summer?
!شاباش