Hello!

Hi everyone, my name is Muhtadi, and I am an international student from Sudan. I am a 4th year IDST major with a focus on Economics, Computer Science, and Commerce. It might seem like I am taking this course simply to fulfill a literature requirement, especially since its content feels far removed from my academic background. However, I have already completed that requirement. I chose this course intentionally as a way to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone.

Most of the reading I do tends to fall within the “personal development” genre, so engaging with literary texts in an academic setting is something relatively new to me. This unfamiliarity is slightly intimidating but also exciting at the same time i want to see if i was wrong about literary texts as i always viewed them as verbose or boring. I am hoping that this course especially since it requires alot of reading can change my view on literary work.

While I mentioned that I mostly read personal development books, I also genuinely enjoy fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as manga. I think what draws me to these genres is the sense of immersion they provide. The experience closely resembles the feeling of playing a video game or watching a show or movie; during that time, you become fully absorbed in the world, characters, and narrative. It offers a temporary escape where your attention is completely focused on the story being told.

Although this kind of escapism is sometimes viewed negatively, I view it positively sometimes, especially given how fast paced and work oriented life has become in recent years. Having moments where you can disconnect, slow down, and engage with a different reality can be really beneficial to your psyche. For me, these genres are not just entertainment, but a way to reset mentally and emotionally, allowing me to return to daily responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed.

Fun fact: this is actually my first time writing a blog. While that feels a bit intimidating or even weird in a sense, I’m also excited to experiment with a new form of writing and reflection. I’m looking forward to learning from both the course material and my peers as we move through the term.