Meet Aya Saeid

My INDS Degree

My individualized degree focuses on the intersection of psychology, intercultural communication, and healthcare, emphasizing Arab cultural perspectives. I aim to comprehensively understand how emotional well-being, cultural values, and communication styles influence clinical outcomes. In doing so, I seek to bridge the cultural gaps that hinder trust, accuracy, and healing in today’s multicultural healthcare system.

Degree Mentors

• Samir El Omari| Coordinator for Internships & Career Placement, Coordinator of Arabic, and Teaching Professor| UMBC Department of Modern Languages, Linguistics & Intercultural Communication 
• Dr. Rachel Amey| Research Psychologist| U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Dr. Jose Arenas Gomez, Individualized Study

Post Graduation Plans

After graduation, I plan to go to medical school and become a surgeon. My areas of interest are cardiology and neurology, as well as stroke research that combines both of my interest fields. I see my INDS degree helping me communicate better with patients and understand their cultural and psychological needs. As a prospective physician, I want to use what I learned to reduce misunderstandings in healthcare and improve how providers treat patients from different backgrounds, especially Arab patients. My goal is to not only treat patients medically but also make them feel understood, respected, and comfortable so they feel heard and supported.

Courses In My INDS Degree

✅ Psychology in health and learning: This concentration connects cultural psychology, neurocognitive processes, and health psychology to provide foundational knowledge on how the brain and the mind intersect with the cultural environment to influence perceptions and health outcomes. (PSYC 210, 230, 375, 385)

✅ Intercultural Communication: This concentration focuses on exploring the cross-cultural in both professional and medical environments. By studying technical writing and the intersection between culture, communication, and healthcare, I will be able to navigate some of the linguistic and cultural barriers and perspectives that may impact giving and receiving care. (MLL 305, 430, ENGL 393, EDHS 340)

✅Dynamics of the Arabic Culture: This category focuses on getting exposure and developing a deeper understanding of the Arabic culture’s perspectives. This includes understanding the foundations of the Arabic world through the language, 4 media, and cultural dynamics to better navigate the linguistics and cultural stigmas that can impact patient-doctor relationships, as well as looking into healthcare barriers by studying the culture in depth. (ARBC 301, 302, 333, 350,355)

✅ Applied Learning Approach: This focus includes the applied experience in the emergency health perspective, communication, and statistical application. It will also explore the cultural diversity in healthcare and emergency medicine through an internship in Modern Languages and Linguistics. (STAT 350, EDHS 202, 203, MLL 430, ENGL 393)

✅ Individualized Study: This includes individualized studies courses that explore various disciplines as well as allow the integration of critical thinking. The core courses contribute heavily to guiding the process of creating a strong, unique degree plan and connecting with professionals to gain insights about career fields or ideas for the Capstone research project. (INDS 330, 335, 430, 480, 490, MLL 430, STAT 350)