Hala Eleiwa
Palestinian Authority

"This course had a significant impact on both my career and personal life. I was looking to deepen my understanding of sustainable urban transitions to better address these challenges in my work. The course provided me with tools and strategies to address urban resilience challenges."

Hala Eleiwa is a lecturer from Palestinian Authority. She participated in the online course Rethink the City: New approaches to Global and Local Urban Challenges.

What was your motivation for enrolling in this course/program?
My motivation for enrolling in this course stems from my role as a lecturer in Gaza City, where I often encounter the pressing challenges of urban resilience and housing in a region shaped by conflict and resource constraints. I was looking to deepen my understanding of sustainable urban transitions to better address these challenges in both my professional work and community. By gaining insights into global case studies and frameworks, I hope to enhance my teaching, contribute more effectively to discussions on resilience in Gaza, and improve career prospects by staying informed about cutting-edge urban planning strategies. The flexibility to follow the course remotely also allowed me to balance my work commitments while continuing to grow personally and professionally.

How did/will this course impact your career or life?
This course has had a significant impact on both my career and personal life. As a lecturer in Gaza City, I found the focus on resilience, housing, and spatial justice especially valuable, as these are pressing issues in my region. The course deepened my knowledge in urban challenges and sustainable development, allowing me to incorporate new frameworks and case studies into my lectures, which will benefit my students and the broader academic community. In terms of direct applicability, the course provided me with tools and strategies to address urban resilience challenges in Gaza, a city constantly affected by conflict and instability. Understanding how to apply global best practices to our unique context will help me contribute more effectively to local initiatives aimed at improving housing conditions and community resilience.

How was your experience of learning online?
My experience of learning online was highly rewarding and transformative. What I appreciated most was the flexibility it offered, allowing me to balance my responsibilities as a lecturer in Gaza City with the demands of the course. The ability to learn at my own pace, revisit material, and engage with content from anywhere was a game-changer. The course content was well-structured and relevant, addressing real-world urban challenges that directly apply to my work. One of the challenges was navigating occasional internet disruptions, which are common in Gaza, but the course's asynchronous nature allowed me to overcome these obstacles.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking of taking a similar course?
The course is well organized but some of the videos were not translated.