Sexton Square transformed into something extraordinary this week. A public space that usually serves as a busy campus passage became a vibrant meeting ground for listening, understanding, and shared humanity. The occasion was ‘Kalima: a Human Library experience’ presented by NYU Abu Dhabi’s Department of Civic Engagement and Service in collaboration with the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity. The premise was simple yet profoundly impactful. Instead of borrowing books made of paper, students borrowed people. Each person was a book offering a story that opened through conversation rather than text.

The Human Library model is built on the belief that meaningful learning emerges when we set aside assumptions and engage directly with the lived experiences of others. Kalima embraced this fully, turning the act of reading into an interaction that unfolded face to face with curiosity and empathy. Students signed up, chose a story from the catalog, and sat down for a twenty minute journey into someone’s life. The result was an atmosphere filled with real dialogue, where every person had something valuable to share.

From the moment the first conversations began, Sexton Square buzzed with energy. Some tables were bright with laughter while others carried reflective pauses and thoughtful questions. The air felt welcoming and open. In a community as diverse as NYU Abu Dhabi, Kalima reminded everyone that every voice carries knowledge and every story has the potential to reshape how we see the world.

Civic Engagement and Service was honored to welcome His Excellency Khalid Al Ghanim, whose presence celebrated the role of storytelling in nurturing coexistence, acceptance, and unity. The Higher Committee for Human Fraternity’s mission came to life as students and storytellers found shared ground through attentive listening.

One of the day’s most sought-after books was Manar Ghanim. He shared his psychospiritual care journey and reflected on healing that attends to both emotional resilience and spiritual grounding. His readers found comfort in his openness and left with a deeper appreciation for how personal narratives can support wellbeing and connection.

Professor Goffredo Puccetti from the Design program engaged students with humor and humility. Instead of highlighting only his most polished achievements, he told the memorable story of a major design epic fail. His lesson was simple: creativity grows from trial and error. Students walked away encouraged to see experimentation and mistakes as natural parts of the creative process rather than setbacks. Across another table, Dr Aisha Al Naqbi, Senior Dean of Students at NYUAD, shared her inspiring story of choosing to pursue a second bachelor's degree in psychology. She spoke about her passion for understanding students on a personal level and her belief that learning continues throughout life. For many, her story offered a powerful reminder that leadership involves empathy and a continuous dedication to growth.

Professor Vinicius Libardoni invited students into the imaginative world of printmaking. He discussed the joy of working with repetition and variation and the unexpected outcomes that emerge from the press. His readers discovered that printmaking is not only a technique but a way of thinking that celebrates discovery and change.

Esraa Bani, Director of Civic Engagement and Service, reflected on her childhood experiences attending school in central Sudan. She described long days filled with commitment and the significance of access to learning. Her narrative revealed how those early experiences shaped her dedication to creating inclusive opportunities for communities everywhere. Many listeners described her story as a profound reminder of the impact that education can have across a lifetime.

Students also stepped forward to share their own stories. They spoke about identity, ambition, belonging, and the pressures that often remain hidden beneath the surface of university life. Some talked about growing up across cultures. Others shared moments of personal transformation that came from taking risks or making difficult choices. Their stories were brave and moving. Borrowers left with a renewed appreciation for the resilience and creativity that exists among their peers.

As the afternoon continued, a beautiful pattern emerged. Students finished a book only to return almost immediately, asking if there was time for one more. Conversations ended with smiles, gratitude, and often the promise to stay in touch. For many participants, it felt like a nourishing reminder that connection is not a luxury. It is something we all crave.

Kalima celebrates the power of words. On this day, words did not rest quietly on printed pages. They moved. They breathed. They listened and responded. They made space for joy and healing and discovery. What took place was much more than a campus event. It was a practice of empathy. It was a celebration of dignity. It was a reminder that the stories we carry shape not only who we are but how we relate to each other.

As the sun set and the tables were cleared from Sexton Square, one shared reflection lingered among organizers, volunteers, and participants alike. Every campus has libraries with shelves full of knowledge. Yet the most transformative stories walk beside us every single day. Kalima encouraged everyone to pause, ask, and truly listen. It showed that when we let people become the books, the experience of learning becomes endless.

Because when people become the books, the learning never ends.