Countries with AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs
EGYPT
MOROCCO
SEMESTER AND ACADEMIC YEAR • Area & Arabic Language Studies • Civil Engineering at Cairo University • Egyptology
SEMESTER AND ACADEMIC YEAR • Area & Arabic Language Studies • Direct Enrollment at Al Akhawayn University • Regional Studies in French
SUMMER • Contemporary Egyptian Politics • History of Engineering • Intensive Arabic • Learn & Serve
SUMMER • Intensive Arabic
JORDAN
SEMESTER AND ACADEMIC YEAR • Area & Arabic Language Studies SUMMER • Intensive Arabic • Peace and Conflict Resolution • Traditional Islamic Art
OMAN SUMMER • Learn & Serve
TUNISIA
SUMMER • Learn & Serve
www.amideast.org/abroad 202-776-9629 EdAbroad@amideast.org www.facebook.com/AmideastAbroad
EGYPT
Table of Contents
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain
WHO WE ARE 2 PROGRAM COMPONENTS 4 ACADEMICS 5 HEALTH & SAFETY 8 10 EGYPT 12 Semester Programs 15 Summer Programs 18 JORDAN 20 Semester Program 21 Summer Programs 24 MOROCCO 26 Semester Programs 29 Summer Program 30 OMAN 30 Summer Program 31 TUNISIA 31 Summer Program SCHOLARSHIPS 33 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 34 STUDENT PROFILES 35 HOW TO APPLY 36
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
1
WHO WE ARE
Who We Are
Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.
– Miriam Beard
AMIDEAST’S ROOTS Established in 1951, America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) is a private American nonprofit organization engaged in international education, training, and development assistance work. Based in Washington, DC, it has over 20 field and project offices in 12 countries in the Middle East and North Africa and more than 600 dedicated professional staff working with international, regional, and local partners on the ground. AMIDEAST provides programs and services to improve educational opportunities and quality, strengthen local institutions, and develop language and professional skills for success in the local and global economy. Committed to strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa, AMIDEAST offers education abroad programs for Americans interested in learning more about this important region. THE AMIDEAST ADVANTAGE AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World provide students with opportunities to study in Arab countries for a semester, academic year, or summer. AMIDEAST also works with colleges and universities to create short-term customized education abroad opportunities in the region. With AMIDEAST’s more than 60-year involvement with and presence in the Middle East and North Africa, students benefit from the organization’s long-term experience, strong local connections, and deep understanding of local culture. AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs provide students wide-ranging opportunities to interact with local university students and to gain the most from intercultural encounters.
2
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
WHO WE ARE
AMIDEAST’s Mission
Strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa
WHERE DOES EDUCATION ABROAD FIT? Building on AMIDEAST’s mission of strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the people of the Middle East and North Africa, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World help develop mutual understanding through programs for young people to study the Middle East and North Africa, improve their Arabic language skills, and interact with the peoples and cultures of the region, especially local families, organizations, and students. At the same time, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs strive to develop students’ intercultural and global competence and provide students with safe, secure, and healthy living and learning environments. The programs are academically rigorous, intellectually free, personally challenging, and focused on intercultural learning.
CORE PRINCIPLES OF AMIDEAST EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAMS IN THE ARAB WORLD AMIDEAST’s Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World are built on a set of core principles. These principles include: • Instilling in students an understanding of and respect for local cultural norms • Giving back to the local community through engagement with community organizations and institutions in a variety of contexts • Acting ethically in all dealings with students, faculty, staff, local and U.S.-based academic partners, and the community in which programs take place. Our programs are: • student centered • designed to serve small cohorts of students in order to assure quality student support, valuable discussion, and opportunities to interact with peers in the host society • structured to maximize students’ o achievement of greater Arabic language proficiency o knowledge of the host country and region o intercultural learning through ethical and informed engagement with the host culture.
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
3
ACADEMICS
Program components
While each program has its own unique style, heavily influenced by the national and local characteristics of the country and city where it is located, all AMIDEAST programs include the following distinctive features.
PRE-DEPARTURE PLANNING
IN-COUNTRY ORIENTATION
Students receive extensive pre-departure information from AMIDEAST’s Washington, DC office. In addition to written material, students also participate in an online Pre-Departure Orientation with AMIDEAST staff one month prior to departure.
In-country orientation covers cultural adjustment, program components, academic advising, goals, expectations, safety, survival language instruction, and host city exploration.
LANGUAGE • A rabic is offered at all levels from beginning to advanced (seven different levels). • G enerally, the language of instruction is English for content courses. • S tudents are paired with local university students as language and culture exchange partners.
STUDY ENVIRONMENT Courses are taught in a U.S. format by local faculty. They generally are held in AMIDEAST’s local facilities with other students on the program.
HOUSING Egypt: AMIDEAST student apartments Jordan: Host family or AMIDEAST student apartments Morocco: Host family or Moroccan residence hall
CONTENT COURSES On semester programs, students choose 2–4 content courses from a wide range of disciplines.
4
DIALOGUE SESSIONS AMIDEAST coordinates dialogue sessions between its students and peers from local universities.
Oman: Student residence hall Tunisia: Varies
STAFF AMIDEAST programs are supported by a well-trained and diverse staff of Americans and host-country nationals.
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
ACADEMICS
CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS
AMIDEAST has worked with colleges, universities, secondary schools and nonprofit organizations to facilitate their educational programs in the Arab world for nearly three decades. AMIDEAST’s knowledgeable field office staff and partners collaborate to design programs and identify speakers and site visits appropriate for the program theme. Field office staff also can make logistical arrangements for programs, including local transportation, housing and meals, and excursions/field trips. Please visit the AMIDEAST Abroad website for more information.
Our daughter feels she has already learned more Arabic in a week than she ever did in each semester at school. She loves the text they are using and feels that the teachers are simply superior. – Parent of Jordan Summer 2011 student
ACADEMIC CONSORTIUM AMIDEAST’s Education Abroad Programs benefit from the advice and quality assurance of an Academic Consortium, a group of 20 institutions and associations that represent a cross-section of U.S. higher education. Academic Consortium Members American University Associated Colleges of the Midwest Clemson University Colorado College Creighton University Dickinson College Georgetown University Grinnell College Howard (Maryland) Community College Michigan State University Middle Tennessee State University Northeastern University Queens College The Great Lakes Colleges Association The Norfolk State University The University of Texas at Austin University of Cincinnati University of Kentucky University of Pennsylvania University of Richmond
TRANSCRIPTS AND INSTITUTION OF RECORD
After completing an AMIDEAST semester/academic year or summer education abroad program, students receive an official AMIDEAST Grade Report that documents letter grades and credit received. Another copy of the grade report is sent to the student’s university. Alternatively, students can request (for an additional fee of $350) a transcript issued by AMIDEAST’s Institution of Record (IoR), Northeastern University. Should a home institution advisor indicate that a transcript from the IoR is required, the student or home institution will be billed for this fee.
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
5
ACADEMICS
Program Comparison EGYPT Area & Arabic Language Studies
Egyptology
OMAN
Civil History of Intensive Engineering Engineering Arabic
TUNISIA
Contemporary Learn & Politics Serve
Learn & Serve
Learn & Serve
6 or 8 weeks in summer
6 weeks in summer
6 weeks in summer
Length of Program
Semester / Academic Year
Semester / Academic Year
Semester / Academic Year
3 weeks in summer + optional 4-week Arabic Extension
Academic Focus
Arabic Language and Regional Studies
Egyptology
Civil Engineering
Engineering
Arabic Language
Political Science
Service Learning
Service Learning
Service Learning
Housing
Shared apartments
Shared apartments
Shared apartments
Shared apartments
Shared apartments
Shared apartments
Shared apartments
Student residences
Varies
Language of Instruction
English
English
English
English
Arabic
English
English
English
English
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
MSA, Colloquial
N/A (except with Arabic Extension option)
Colloquial
Colloquial
Colloquial
6-12 credits
3 credits
6-8 credits
6 credits
6 credits
Volunteer Yes Availability
Arabic Options
MSA, Colloquial, Media Arabic
MSA, Colloquial, Media Arabic
Colloquial
N/A (except with Arabic Extension option)
Credits
14-17 credits
15 credits
15-18 credits
3 credits
6
Two 4-week summer sessions
3 weeks in summer + optional 4-week Arabic Extension
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
ACADEMICS
Without a doubt, compared to the Arabic teachers I have had in America, the teachers at AMIDEAST were fantastic. They really were passionate about what they do and were great at teaching as well. They cared about their students and had good teaching skills. – Morocco Summer 2012 student
JORDAN
MOROCCO
Area & Arabic Language Studies
Intensive Arabic
Peace and Conflict Resolution
Traditional Islamic Art
Area & Arabic Language Studies
Al Akhawayn University Direct Enrollment
Length of Program
Semester / Academic Year
Two 4-week summer sessions
4 weeks in summer + optional 4-week Arabic Extension
3 weeks in summer + optional 4-week Arabic Extension
Semester / Academic Year
Semester / Semester / AcaAcademic demic Year Year
Two 4-week summer sessions
Academic Focus
Arabic Language and Regional Studies
Arabic Language
Peace and Conflict Resolution
Studio Art
Arabic Language and Regional Studies
Please see the course catalog Regional on website: Studies www.aui.ma/en
Arabic Language
Housing
Host family or shared apartments
Host family
Host family or hotel
Host family
Host family or student residences
Student residences
Host family or student residences
Host family
Language of Instruction
English
Arabic
English
English
English
English
French
Arabic
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Volunteer Yes Availability
Regional Studies in French
Intensive Arabic
Arabic Options
MSA, Colloquial, Media Arabic
MSA, Colloquial
N/A (except with Arabic Extension option)
N/A (except with Arabic Extension option)
MSA, Colloquial, Media Arabic
MSA, Colloquial
MSA, Colloquial
MSA, Colloquial
Credits
14-17 credits
6-12 credits
6 credits
3 credits
14-17 credits
15 credits
15 credits
6-12 credits
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
7
HEALTH & SAFETY
Health & Safety STUDENT HEALTH AND INSURANCE All students are required to submit a completed medical profile prior to departure. AMIDEAST staff review this information and work with students to make necessary accommodations for any health or dietary needs. As part of the program fee, AMIDEAST provides medical and accident insurance for all students through HTH Worldwide Insurance. Once in country, AMIDEAST program staff help students deal with medical issues as they arise and have a list of recommended providers and hospitals both in the host city and in areas visited on excursions. In addition to medical insurance, HTH provides high-quality medical, political, and security evacuation coverage.
8
These are challenging times, particularly for those involved in programs for American students in the Middle East and North Africa. At AMIDEAST, student health, safety, and security are the number-one priorities. While no one can guarantee that unexpected risks or situations will not arise, AMIDEAST continually strives to provide the support necessary for students to have a safe and healthy education abroad experience. PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION Part of ensuring that students remain safe while abroad includes providing them with in-depth information in preparation for their time in country. AMIDEAST staff sends students a series of pre-departure emails addressing topics such as flight information, academic matters, visas, insurance, safety and security. In addition, students are provided with an extensive handbook that outlines cultural and logistical issues they will face during their time abroad. In addition to written material, students also participate in an online Pre-Departure Orientation with AMIDEAST staff one month prior to departure.
PRESENCE IN THE REGION
AMIDEAST was established in 1951 to build bridges of understanding between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa. Today it is more important than ever that Americans learn more about this critical area as we work to build a more peaceful future. AMIDEAST has field offices in 12 countries through the region; the oldest have existed for more than 50 years. This longstanding physical presence in the region has enabled AMIDEAST to develop an extensive network of contacts with local educational and other institutions, organizations, government offices, and civil society.
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
HEALTH & SAFETY
AMIDEAST cares deeply about its participants’ emotional, physical, and mental well-being while they are abroad and after. I built incredible friendships with other students on the program, AMIDEAST staff, and local Egyptians
– Egypt Spring 2012 student
IN-COUNTRY ORIENTATION RISK MANAGEMENT Although it is not possible to eliminate risk, AMIDEAST is committed to ensuring that its programs operate in safe and secure environments. AMIDEAST’s longstanding physical presence in the Middle East and North Africa and long history of service to local communities have enabled the development of strong local networks and relationships with local institutions and individuals. AMIDEAST’s Country Directors maintain close ties to the Regional Security Officers at the U.S. Embassies, and local program staff members are included in the U.S. Embassy warden network. AMIDEAST is also a member of the Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council. AMIDEAST facilities are accessible only through controlled entrances. Local staff is able to send out text messages (SMS) simultaneously to all students’ program-provided mobile phones to update them instantly as issues related to health, safety, and security develop. Local staff maintains a vital local network and contributes to the understanding of ongoing and developing situations on the ground. In addition, to further enhance access to up-to-the-minute information in crisis situations, AMIDEAST contracts with iJET: Intelligent Risk Systems, to offer certain services directly to AMIDEAST students. Lastly, an internal communication system links AMIDEAST Headquarters in Washington, DC, with field offices in the Middle East and North Africa, and key staff members are available at all times to respond to emergency situations.
Upon arrival in country, AMIDEAST students participate in an in-depth orientation designed to introduce them to local culture and daily life and familiarize them with the logistics of the program. Orientation combines structured information sessions with organized activities and free time to familiarize participants with the urban environment. Topics such as safety and health, cultural adjustment, program regulations, participant responsibilities and other essential information are discussed in detail. During the in-country orientation students also meet their professors, take language placement tests, become familiar with the program’s IT environment, and learn how to navigate their new city.
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
9
EGYPT
Health EGYPT & Safety
LIST OF PROGRAMS SEMESTER/ACADEMIC YEAR • Area & Arabic Language Studies • Civil Engineering at Cairo University • Egyptology SUMMER • Contemporary Egyptian Politics • History of Engineering • Intensive Arabic • Learn & Serve
10
These are challenging times, particularly for those involved in programs for American students in the Middle East and North Africa. At AMIDEAST, student health, safety, and security is the number one priority. While no one can guarantee that unexpected risks or situations will not arise, AMIDEAST continually strives to provide the support necessary for students to have a safe and healthy education abroad experience.
“I became a more independent, critically thinking, mature human being through my study abroad experience. On returning to the United States I realized how drastically my world view had changed and how I felt like a much more informed citizen of not only the United States, but the world.” – Egypt and Jordan Academic Year 2010–11 student
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
EGYPT
In Egypt the AMIDEAST Education Abroad
EXPERIENCE IS:
EMPOWERING: Flexibility is de rigeur for those living in Egypt—where traffic is unpredictable, bargaining in shops is fierce, and a simple invitation to tea can turn into a day long interaction with a new friend. Students cast aside expectations while using their newly acquired language and cultural skills to navigate new situations in a style that is truly unique to Egypt.
EXCEPTIONAL: In the center of the AN ADVENTURE: Despite the number of foreigners who descend on Egypt annually, AMIDEAST exposes students to aspects of the country most visitors never see. Students live in the heart of Cairo in the neighborhood of Dokki, just a short walk from the banks of the Nile. There, students engage in experiential learning every day by shopping in local markets, haggling with taxis, and frequenting local cafes with Egyptian friends. UNUSUAL: Very few students live and study in cities as politically important and historically significant as Cairo. As the Arab Spring events in 2011 illustrated, Egypt is at the forefront of reform and change in the Arab world. In a city as large and bustling as Cairo, students benefit from the unique support offered by dedicated program staff so that they are able to access Egypt on a level that would not otherwise be possible.
Arab world, students have the opportunity to learn first-hand from leading Egyptian faculty about the critically important Middle East region. AMIDEAST takes advantage of the unique environment in which its programs are held by combining classroom instruction with experiential field visits and activities in the vibrant city of Cairo as well as elsewhere in the country. EYE-OPENING: In this unique environment, students explore a range of international and domestic issues with their professors, their fellow AMIDEAST students, and their local friends. In a world where understanding Islam is increasingly important, students have the unique opportunity to explore religious practice in a predominantly Muslim country while gaining insights into the challenges faced by minority groups such as the Coptic Christians.
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
11
EGYPT
Area & Arabic Language Studies in Egypt COURSES Students enrolled in the Area & Arabic Studies Program in Cairo carry a semester load of 14-17 credit hours. All students are required to enroll in Arabic (8 credits of Modern Standard and colloquial Egyptian Arabic) and two or three elective courses that are offered in a variety of disciplines including art, economics, Egyptology, history, media Arabic, Middle East and North African studies, political science, and religious studies.
(SEMESTER/ACADEMIC YEAR) Egyptians refer to Cairo as um al-dunya, or “mother of the world.” Culturally and politically, it is at the heart of the Arab world. Very few students live and study in cities as politically important and historically significant as Cairo. Students in the Area & Arabic Language Studies Program study political science, economics, religion, sociology, and Arabic, while simultaneously exploring the changing Middle East outside of the classroom. UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS In addition to academics, students benefit from the following program components. • in-country orientation • the opportunity to live in the center of bustling Cairo • structured opportunities to meet and interact with Egyptian students • service-learning opportunities • organized excursions to breathtaking locations such as upper Egypt (including the Valley of the Kings) and the Siwa Oasis
DATES
See program website for course descriptions or email EdAbroad@amideast.org for course syllabi.
12
Fall Semester: Late August to Mid December Spring Semester: Mid January to Early May
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
EGYPT
Egyptology (SEMESTER/ACADEMIC YEAR) This unique program offers students the opportunity to focus on the fascinating world of ancient Egypt while living in and experiencing contemporary Cairo. This dynamic city gives Egyptology students a unique look into the heart of both ancient Egypt and the modern Arab world.
DATES
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS The Egyptology Program benefits from a close association with practicing Egyptologists. As part of the Egyptology in Practice course, students work on special projects with staff at the Egyptian Museum and other relevant organizations in Cairo. Egyptology students have access to extensive on-site support including orientation, the opportunity to live in the center of bustling Cairo, structured ways to meet local Egyptian students, service-learning opportunities, and organized excursions to some of Egypt’s most historic and significant sites. Students live with, and participate in extracurricular activities with, colleagues in the Area & Arabic Language Studies Program.
COURSES Egyptology students enroll in 15 credits per semester. Classes consist of three Egyptology specific courses, one course from the Area & Arabic Language Studies Program options, and one colloquial Egyptian Arabic course. Egyptology courses are taught by some of Egypt’s leading faculty and include: • Introduction to Ancient Egypt • Ancient Egyptian Art & Hieroglyphs • Pharaonic, Coptic & Modern Egypt: Culture & Religion from Ancient to Modern Times • Archeology in Egypt Today • Egyptology in Practice See program website for course descriptions or email EdAbroad@amideast.org for course syllabi.
Fall Semester: Late August to Mid December Spring Semester: Mid January to Early May
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
13
EGYPT
COURSES Students study together with Egyptian students in CUFE’s Credit Hour Program (CHP) within the Faculty of Engineering. Out of a total semester load of 15-18 credits, students may select three or four Civil Engineering courses (9-12 credits) from a list of possible options. In addition to the academic offerings at CUFE, students also take two courses offered at AMIDEAST’s nearby facilities: 1) C ontemporary Egypt and the Arab World (3 credits) 2) Colloquial Egyptian Arabic (3 credits)
(SEMESTER /ACADEMIC YEAR) In an effort to give U.S. undergraduate engineering students the opportunity to study in one of the most dynamic regions of the world, AMIDEAST is proud to offer a Civil Engineering Semester at the Cairo University Faculty of Engineering (CUFE). UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS In addition to AMIDEAST facilities, Civil Engineering students also have access to the laboratories available to CUFE civil engineering students. Civil engineering students also participate in an extensive on-site orientation and in organized excursions in Cairo and around Egypt, and they are given ample opportunities to meet Egyptian university students both in and outside their classes.
DATES
Civil Engineering at Cairo University
Fall Semester: Late August to Early January Spring Semester: Mid January to Late June
History of Engineering
DATES
(SUMMER) From ancient times to the present, many of the world’s most impressive engineering feats have occurred in Egypt. The History of Engineering is a 3-credit program offered jointly by AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World and the Faculty of Engineering of Cairo University.
14
Engineering (only): Early July to Late July Engineering and Arabic: Early June to Late July
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS Topics addressed during the course range from ancient engineering feats such as the temples and monuments of ancient Egypt to ancient and modern water resource management and irrigation. Preservation and restoration of historic sites, including ancient monuments, mosques, churches and synagogues also are covered. These topics are addressed through lectures, discussions and numerous site visits and excursions.
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
EGYPT
Contemporary Egyptian Politics (SUMMER) This program offers students a comprehensive understanding of the political and social scene in Egypt today. This 3-credit program focuses on the historical, cultural, economic, social, and political forces in Egypt today as it evolves from a stable authoritarian regime into a new democracy. This course begins with the founding of modern Egypt by Muhammad Ali in the early 19th century and continues through the British occupation, Egyptian monarchy, revolution in 1952, and the events surrounding the Arab Spring. See program website for course description or email EdAbroad@amideast.org for course syllabus. Because the course adopts an interdisciplinary approach that examines both contemporary politics and society, students from a wide variety of disciplines may find this program valuable. Students with the following majors may be particularly interested in studying abroad on this program: Political Science, Journalism, International Relations, Global Studies, Middle East Studies, and Peace and Conflict Resolution.
DATES
COURSES The course (Political Science 368, 3 credits) traces the development of the republican government through the presidencies of Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak. It then examines the January 25th Revolution of 2011 and its aftermath. Lectures also focus on Egypt’s regional and international role, the system of governance, elections, civil society, gender and human rights, political parties, Islamic movements, and media.
Politics (only): Early June to Early July Politics and Arabic: Early June to Early August
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS In addition to the formal lectures and meetings, students are introduced to the Colloquial Egyptian Arabic language, engage in dialogue with their Egyptian peers, participate in numerous cultural activities, visit historical sites in and out of Cairo, and meet with representatives from Egyptian governmental and nongovernmental organizations. ARABIC LANGUAGE EXTENSION Students enrolled in the Contemporary Egyptian Politics or the History of Engineering Programs (previous page) can choose to extend their experience in Egypt by participating in a 4-week Intensive Arabic Summer Session.
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
15
EGYPT
Learn & Serve in Egypt COURSES Students on this program study colloquial Egyptian Arabic, allowing them to practice speaking the most widely understood Arabic dialect, while undertaking a community-based learning placement in Cairo, the Arab world’s most populous city. Students earn a total of 6 academic credits (Community Based Learning, 3 credits and Colloquial Egyptian Arabic, 3 credits). This course offers students first-hand, experiential learning about the role of non-governmental, private voluntary and media organizations in an Arab society. The course enables students to examine social issues from multiple perspectives, read relevant texts, and participate in projects related to the fields of education, human development, human and civil rights, journalism or social services. This course is intended to deepen and broaden the students' interactions with their host community through direct experience and academic reflection. See program website for course descriptions or email EdAbroad@amideast.org for course syllabi.
DATES
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS With the addition of cultural activities, dialogue programs with local university students, and excursions, students gain an intimate understanding of the role of nongovernmental organizations in Egyptian society.
16
6-Week Program: Mid June to Late July 8-Week Program: Mid June to Early August
“For part of my service learning I taught refugees English. My class was different each time but I still grew close to my students…. Even though I was younger than all my students, I have never been treated with more respect.” – Egypt Summer 2012 student
(SUMMER) Students on this program engage in an intense service learning experience with local nongovernmental organizations, while also studying in one of the most dynamic cities in the Middle East and North Africa. Depending on their preference, students can choose to participate in either a 6-week or 8-week Learn & Serve program in Egypt. The two programs are identical in structure, with the 8-week program providing a two-week extension of the community-based learning placement. Students on the six week program earn 6 credits and those on the eight week program earn 8 credits.
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
EGYPT
Intensive Arabic in Cairo (SUMMER) The lively city of Cairo serves as an excellent environment in which to learn Modern Standard and colloquial Egyptian Arabic. Students looking to improve their Arabic quickly can enroll in a rigorous 4-week or 8-week intensive summer session in the heart of the Arab world. Whether enjoying an evening felucca ride down the Nile or practicing Arabic in Cairo's ancient markets, each experience in Egypt offers rich insight into this remarkable culture.
DATES
COURSES The Summer Intensive Arabic Program in Cairo offers Modern Standard Arabic in two four-week sessions (6 credits each session). Classes meet five hours per day, five days per week. Each session features 100 hours of Arabic language instruction, including both Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial Egyptian Arabic. One summer session covers the material usually presented in one semester on a U.S. campus. Students are given placement tests on arrival and placed in the level appropriate for their Arabic language proficiency. See program website for course descriptions or email EdAbroad@amideast.org for course syllabi.
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS Classes are held in AMIDEAST’s centrally located facilities in Dokki on the west bank of the Nile and students are housed in shared apartments in Dokki. In addition to high-quality Arabic instruction, AMIDEAST’s Intensive Arabic Program provides opportunities to take advantage of Cairo’s unique environment, with experiential field visits and activities in Egypt’s vibrant capital city. Students also participate in an overnight excursion outside Cairo. With its rich culture and exceptional history, Egypt offers unbeatable intercultural learning experiences for study abroad students.
Summer Session I: Early June to Early July Summer Session II: Early July to Early August
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
17
JORDAN
Health JORDAN & Safety
These are challenging times, particularly for those involved in programs for American students in the Middle East and North Africa. At AMIDEAST, student health, safety, and security is the number one priority. “AMIDEAST was a constant support and While no one can guarantee that unexpectguide throughout my ed risks or situations will not arise, AMMiddle Eastern living IDEAST continually strives to provide the and learning adventure. support necessary for students to have a safe The flexibility, yet rigor, and healthy education of abroad experience. the three programs
I experienced allowed educational, cultural, and personal fulfillment. ” – Jordan Spring 2011 student
LIST OF PROGRAMS SEMESTER/ACADEMIC YEAR • Area & Arabic Language Studies SUMMER • Intensive Arabic • Peace & Conflict Resolution • Traditional Islamic Art
18
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
JORDAN
In Jordan the AMIDEAST Education Abroad
EXPERIENCE IS:
EXPERIENTIAL: AMIDEAST exposes students to a Jordan most visitors never have the privilege to experience. Students live with local Arabic-speaking families or in apartments with their fellow AMIDEAST students in Amman, an ancient city facing many modern challenges.
COMPLEX: From the salty shores of the Dead Sea to the lush Jordan Valley to the stark desert landscape of Wadi Rum, Jordan’s natural beauty is staggering. As students explore this unique landscape, they meet the diverse group of people who make up Jordan: Muslims, Christians, Bedouins, and Palestinians, as well as refugees from other areas of the region.
INTIMATE: In their daily life, students have abundant opportunities to learn directly from Jordanians. They are welcomed by host families and new friends to Amman where they live in a culture that mixes ancient notions of hospitality with modernity. Each day, students have the opportunity to learn language, history, and different ways of viewing the world from their Jordanian family and friends. Jordan’s famous hospitality, as well as AMIDEAST's host families and service-learning opportunities, combine to create unparalleled engagement with the local culture.
CHARMING: While students may dream of the lost city of Petra before they go to Jordan, it is the charming tidbits of daily life that they miss once they return home. They pine most for days sipping tea with friends at a local street cafe, hearing familiar Arabic pop songs everywhere they go, and engaging with this diverse culture to learn from host families, professors, and language partners. From the culinary delights of traditional Jordanian dishes such as mansaf, maklouba, and falafel to the constant Ahlan wa sahlan greeting, students long remember this delightful country.
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
19
JORDAN
Area & Arabic Language Studies in Jordan
(SEMESTER/ACADEMIC YEAR) Amman, capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is an ancient city facing distinct modern challenges. Built on seven hills, Amman has expanded in size and population from a quaint sleepy town to the bustling, multicultural metropolis it is today. Jordan is deeply enmeshed in the international relations of the region, sharing land borders with Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. Students may find no better place to study pressing Middle Eastern issues and Levantine Arabic than in the modern and culturally diverse city of Amman. UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS In addition to academics, students benefit from the following program components. • in-country orientation • the opportunity to live with a Jordanian host family or in a shared apartment • structured opportunities to meet and interact with Jordanian students • service-learning opportunities • organized excursions to strikingly beautiful historic locations around Jordan such as Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea.
DATES
COURSES Students enrolled in the Area & Arabic Studies Program in Amman carry a 14–17 credit hour load per semester.
20
Fall Semester: Late August to Mid December Spring Semester: Mid January to Early May
All students are required to enroll in Arabic (8 credits: Modern Standard and colloquial Jordanian Arabic) and two to three elective courses in a variety of disciplines including anthropology, art history, economics, environmental studies, media Arabic, Middle East and North Africa studies, political science, religion, sociology, studio art, and women’s studies. See program website for course descriptions or email EdAbroad@amideast.org for course syllabi.
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
JORDAN
Intensive Arabic in Amman
DATES
(SUMMER) Students enrolled in AMIDEAST’s Education Abroad Program study Arabic with some of the most respected language teachers in the region: those from the Qasid Institute for Classical & Modern Standard Arabic. Intensive coursework, combined with daily interactions with host families, helps students increase their Arabic proficiency within a short period of time. The Intensive Arabic Program is offered in two 4-week sessions, so students can choose to spend one or two months living and studying in this dynamic city.
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS During each of the two summer sessions, AMIDEAST organizes a one-day trip to different parts of the Kingdom. Past excursions have included Jerash and Ajloun as well as Madaba and the Dead Sea. In addition to benefiting from high-quality Arabic instruction, AMIDEAST students stay with families that welcome them to live and learn in their homes during their foray in Jordan.
COURSES The Summer Intensive Arabic Program in Amman, Jordan offers Modern Standard Arabic in two four-week sessions (6 credits each session). Classes meet five hours per day, five days per week. Each session features 100 hours of Arabic language instruction, including both Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial Jordanian Arabic. One summer session covers the material usually presented in one semester on a U.S. campus. Students are given placement tests on arrival and placed in the level appropriate for their Arabic language proficiency. See program website for course descriptions or email EdAbroad@amideast.org for course syllabi.
Summer Session I: Mid June to Mid July Summer Session II: Mid July to Mid August
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
21
JORDAN
Traditional Islamic Art COURSE The 3-week course consists of two modules. 1) I ntroduction to the basic concepts of the sacred geometry that is the foundation of traditional Islamic art 2) A project in one of six media: calligraphy, illumination, Persian miniature painting, gypsum carving, zillij (mosaic tile work), or wood working See program website for course description or email EdAbroad@amideast.org for course syllabi.
(SUMMER) This program, offered in cooperation with the Institute of Traditional Islamic Art and Architecture in Amman, introduces the study of traditional Islamic art. The course focuses on production of traditional Islamic art forms in calligraphy, illumination, wood, gypsum plaster carving, zillij mosaic tile work, and miniature painting. Each student chooses one of these media and then develops a personal project with the assistance of a tutor from the Institute. In carrying out their projects, each student produces a portfolio to reflect upon the both visual and textual research of source materials, color work, geometric analysis. UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS Students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty from the Institute of Traditional Islamic Arts and Architecture (ITIAA), the first institute in the Arab world entirely dedicated to teaching and the preservation of traditional arts and architecture of Islam. In addition to this unique studio art course, students live with a Jordanian host family and explore the diverse city of Amman. During the program AMIDEAST organizes a one-day trip outside of Amman to visit Madaba, Mount Nebo, the Baptism site and the Dead Sea.
DATES
ARABIC LANGUAGE EXTENSION In addition to the Traditional Islamic Art Program, students can choose to extend their experience in Jordan by participating in a 4-week Intensive Arabic Summer Session.
22
Art (only): Late June to Mid July Art and Arabic: Late June to Early August
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
JORDAN
Peace and Conflict Resolution in London and Amman (SUMMER) Spend the summer in London and Amman exploring the process of peace and conflict resolution and the sensitive cultural and societal roots of conflict. This program is organized by the Foundation for International Education (FIE) in cooperation with AMIDEAST. Students spend two weeks in London and three weeks in Amman taking courses designed to expose them to the theory and practice of peace keeping, peace making, peace building, and conflict resolution in Europe and the Middle East, drawing on the rich history and experience of the United Kingdom and the Middle East region. COURSES This unique program begins in London with the study of peace and conflict theory, using Northern Ireland as a case study to begin to understand how those theories translate to reality. A study tour to Derry, Northern Ireland contextualizes the case study. Once in Amman, students use their new understanding of peace and conflict theory to examine how the theories can be applied to Arab/Israeli conflict, regional conflicts such as those in Lebanon, Yemen or Iraq, and intra- and inter-tribal conflicts, all of which are addressed in a Middle East cultural context.
DATES
See FIE program website for course description and application information: www.fie.org.uk/londonamman
Peace and Conflict Resolution (only): Early June to Mid July Peace and Conflict & Arabic: Mid June to Early August
ARABIC LANGUAGE EXTENSION In addition to the Peace and Conflict Resolution Program, students can choose to extend their experience in Jordan by participating in a 4-week Intensive Arabic Program.
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
23
MOROCCO
MOROCCO “I spent an incredible year in the Middle East. I gained language proficiency, lifelong friends, and insights into international career opportunities. Someday I hope to return to the region in a professional capacity.” – Morocco Fall 2009 student, Egypt Spring 2010 intern LIST OF PROGRAMS SEMESTER/ACADEMIC YEAR • Area & Arabic Language Studies • Direct Enrollment at Al Akhawayn University (AUI) • Regional Studies in French SUMMER • Intensive Arabic
24
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
MOROCCO
In Morocco the AMIDEAST Education Abroad
EXPERIENCE IS:
JOYFUL: Whether sitting around one large dish of couscous with their host family or practicing the art of bargaining, AMIDEAST students find that Moroccan hospitality allows the beauty of this country to emerge in thousands of small moments. DEEP: In their daily life, students learn directly from Moroccans through the hospitality of the people of this welcoming country. In addition to the rigorous academic program, AMIDEAST students have the flexibility to have that third cup of mint tea, spend hours perfecting a traditional dish with their host mothers, watch the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean, and wander through ancient markets. DIVERSE: From the bone sands of the Sahara to the lush Atlas and Rif Mountains, Morocco is one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the Mediterranean basin. Rabat, home to palaces, wide boulevards, and bustling markets, offers students the opportunity to move from the shops and cafés of the “European” city to the narrow alleys and exciting markets of the old medina in a few minutes’ walk.
A DISCOVERY: Students engage in experiential learning every day by haggling for goods in local shops, cooking meals with host families, and frequenting local cafes with Moroccan friends. AMIDEAST students get to know the diversity of people who make up a society that stands at the crossroads of Arab, indigenous (Amazigh), African, and European cultures.
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
25
MOROCCO
Area & Arabic Language Studies in Morocco
(SEMESTER/ACADEMIC YEAR) In the western most outpost of the Arab world, students learn first-hand from leading faculty about Morocco’s efforts to address issues such as gender rights, ethnic diversity, and democratization. Students’ unique access to Moroccan culture provides them with insights into the country’s varied and complex approach to the pressing social, religious, and cultural issues of the Middle East and North Africa.
COURSES Students enrolled in the Area & Arabic Language Studies Program in Rabat carry a 14–17 credit hour load per semester. All students are required to enroll in Arabic (8 credits: Modern Standard and colloquial Moroccan Arabic) and two or three elective courses that are offered in a variety of disciplines including Middle East and North Africa studies, political science, religion, sociology, women’s studies, history, and Amazigh studies.
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS
DATES
In addition to academics, students benefit from the following program components.
26
Fall Semester: Late August to Mid December Spring Semester: Mid January to Early May
• in-country orientation • the opportunity to live with a Moroccan host family or with a Moroccan roommate in a private residence hall • structured opportunities to meet and interact with Moroccan students • English teaching opportunities • service-learning opportunities • organized excursions to mystical locations around Morocco such as Zawiya Ahansal in the Middle Atlas mountains, Fez, and Chefchaouen, a quiet village tucked in the northern mountains
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
MOROCCO
Regional Studies in French (SEMESTER/ACADEMIC YEAR) The AMIDEAST Education Abroad Regional Studies in French Program in Rabat offers a diverse set of courses taught in French about the Muslim, Arab, African and Mediterranean identities of Morocco. In addition, students learn colloquial Moroccan Arabic and have the opportunity to study Modern Standard Arabic if they elect to do so. Students live either with French-speaking Moroccan families or with a French-speaking roommate in a private Moroccan student residence hall.
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS • on-site orientation • tutorials available with Moroccan graduate student teaching assistants • structured ways to meet Moroccan students • service-learning opportunities • organized excursions to incredible locations around Morocco such as Zawiya Ahansal in the Middle Atlas mountains, Fez, and Chefchaouen, a quiet village tucked in the northern mountains.
COURSES Students enrolled in the Regional Studies in French Program in Rabat typically carry a 15 credit hour load per semester. The language of instruction is French and students are required to have a high level of French language proficiency to participate (intermediate-high). All students enroll in colloquial Moroccan Arabic and four elective courses that are offered in a variety of disciplines, including Francophone literature, history, Middle East and North Africa studies, Modern Standard Arabic, political science, religion, sociology, and women’s studies.
DATES
See program website for course descriptions or email EdAbroad@amideast.org for course syllabi.
Fall Semester: Late August to Mid December Spring Semester: Mid January to Early May
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
27
MOROCCO
Direct Enrollment at Al Akhawayn University (AUI)
DATES
(SEMESTER/ACADEMIC YEAR) This AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program offers a diverse curriculum through direct enrollment at Al Akhawayn University (AUI), an English-medium Moroccan university patterned on the American model of higher education. Students usually carry a 15 credit hour load per semester and may choose from any of the course offerings listed in the AUI catalog. Students at AUI live in residence halls on the 98-acre campus in Ifrane, which includes modern classroom buildings and student residences as well as a library and IT facilities, sports facilities, and a student center including dining halls.
28
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS • three-week orientation and language training in Rabat before the AUI semester begins (3 credits) • organized excursions to locations around Morocco • living and learning side-by-side with Moroccan students • availability of courses in thefull range of disciplines offered at AUI
Fall Semester: Late August to Mid December Spring Semester: Mid January to Early May
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
MOROCCO
Intensive Arabic in Rabat (SUMMER) Rabat is one of Morocco’s Imperial Cities and its modern capital. In this unique setting, students participate in formal and experiential lessons that help them rapidly improve their Arabic language skills. The Summer Intensive Arabic Program is offered in two 4-week sessions and focuses on Modern Standard Arabic at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Students live with Arabic-speaking Moroccan families and attend classes at AMIDEAST’s facilities in the dynamic Agdal area of the city. From haggling in the easily accessible medina using darija (Moroccan Arabic) to navigating Rabat’s contemporary French colonial-inspired neighborhoods, conversational Arabic is reinforced with coursework.
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS
During each of the two summer sessions, AMIDEAST organizes a one-day trip to a different part of the country. The excursions are usually to a beachside town either north or south of Rabat; in the past students have gone to Asilah to the north and El Jadida to the south. In addition to high-quality Arabic instruction, AMIDEAST places students with families that welcome students to live and learn in their home during their foray in Rabat.
DATES
COURSES The Summer Intensive Arabic Program in Rabat, Morocco offers Modern Standard Arabic in two four-week sessions (6 credits each session). Classes meet five hours per day, five days per week. Each session features 100 hours of Arabic language instruction, including both Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial Moroccan Arabic. One summer session covers the material usually presented in one semester on a U.S. campus. Students are given placement tests on arrival and placed in the level appropriate for their Arabic language proficiency. See program website for course descriptions or email EdAbroad@amideast.org for course syllabi.
Summer Session I: Late May to Late June Summer Session II: Late June to Late July
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
29
OMAN
OMAN عمان Learn & Serve in Oman
(SUMMER) This program takes place in the Sultanate of Oman, one of the most intriguing destinations in the Arab world. Students have the opportunity to live and work as community service volunteers and English language tutors at Sohar University, learning first-hand about this fascinating corner of the Arabian Peninsula. COURSES During this six-week program, students earn a total of 6 academic credits in two formal 3-credit courses. The first course, Omani Culture and Society, examines the social history and contemporary culture of Oman as representative of both a unique Omani identity and of Oman’s various cultural connections past and present: Muslim, Gulf, Middle Eastern, Arab and Indian Ocean, as well as its connections to east Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The second course introduces students to colloquial Omani Arabic, with a strong communicative approach to allow them to effectively work with their Omani peers at the university.
DATES
تونس
30
Early June to Mid July
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS Students live and learn in Sohar, a developed port city in northern Oman. Students will work with the Sohar University General Foundation Program (GFP). AMIDEAST participants serve as English language assistants for GFP Omani students, working on the four skills in English (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and on study skills. In addition to the formal course work and English tutoring, students learn experientially through organized service projects at the university, dormitory life with local students, weekly lectures from members of Omani civil society, and program organized excursions. Excursions throughout the country may include visits to Muscat, Jabal Akhdar, and Ras Al Jinz or Salalah.
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
TUNISIA
TUNISIA تونس Learn & Serve in Tunisia
(SUMMER) This is a distinctive summer education abroad opportunity for undergraduate students to study in North Africa and engage in an intense service learning experience with Tunisian high school and university students. The program includes a study component on Tunisian culture and society, a service learning component as native speaker resource persons in an English immersion program for Tunisian students, and intense and sustained interaction with those Tunisian students.
DATES
UNIQUE PROGRAM COMPONENTS The Learn portion of the program includes lectures, seminars, site visits based in Tunis and a four-day excursion outside the capital city. During the Serve portion, Learn & Serve students will assist Tunisian high-school students in the English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) which is sponsored by the U.S. State Department and administered in Tunisia by AMIDEAST. Learn & Serve students will help with English tutoring and conversational activities. Students will travel to the Rimmel/Bizerte area on two separate occasions: once to volunteer at a day-camp for disabled students and again to volunteer at an overnight camp with Access students.
COURSES: Students enrolled in the Learn
& Serve program take two academic courses (3 credits each): Tunisian Society and Culture and colloquial Tunisian Arabic. Both courses are intensive during the first two weeks and continuing on a less intensive basis throughout the remaining three weeks. Tunisian Society and Culture (ANTH 320; 3 credits) focuses on the social history and contemporary culture of Tunisia as representative of both a unique Tunisian identity and of Tunisia’s various cultural connections past and present: Muslim, African, Middle Eastern, Arab and Mediterranean. Students will take a placement test during orientation to determine which Tunisian Arabic course best complements their Arabic knowledge.
Late May to Early July
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
31
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition and Fees Tuition and fees vary from program to program. Visit www.amideast.org/abroad for the most up-to date information on program fees. Tuition and fees can be reduced by applying for AMIDEAST scholarships and using federal, state, and other institutional aid.
TUITION AND FEES INCLUDE: • All courses and course packs • In-country orientation • Housing in either host families, shared apartments, or student residences depending on the program • Program-organized excursions • Supplementary lectures and special events • Medical insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation, and political and natural disaster evacuation coverage • Pre-departure preparation • Mobile phone for use while abroad • AMIDEAST grade report FINANCIAL AID Oftentimes institutional financial aid may be used for the semester or academic year education abroad program you choose. We strongly encourage interested students to contact their study abroad and/or financial aid office to discover which aid may be used for your program. Federal Financial Aid: You can use your Federal Financial aid (Perkins Loans, SSIG Grant Program, Pell Grants, FSEOG Grants, Stafford Loans, SLS Loans, PLUS Loans, and Consolidation Loans) to pay for your education abroad program. At times, the amount of Federal Financial Aid you receive can be increased for your semester abroad. We encourage you to discuss these payment options as soon as possible before your program with your home institution. Current Institutional Scholarships: Although policies vary from university to university, often students are able to apply their institutional scholarships to education abroad experiences. Get in touch with your study abroad office, financial aid office, or the granting organization of your scholarships to determine which awards can help support your time abroad. ACADEMIC YEAR DISCOUNT Students who wish to spend an academic year abroad with AMIDEAST will receive a program discount on their second semester. Contact EdAbroad@amideast.org for additional information.
32
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World is committed to providing financial assistance to students with demonstrated financial need. AMIDEAST currently awards two types of scholarships: •
•
MIDEAST EDUCATION ABROAD A NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS are made in the form of a program fee reduction and normally range between $500 and $2,000. MIDEAST BLOG ABROAD A SCHOLARSHIPS are awarded to three or four students on AMIDEAST semester and academic year programs. Each student selected must submit a blog entry based on their experience abroad every two weeks and will receive $1,000 toward their AMIDEAST program in the form of a tuition reduction. While developing travel and creative writing skills, students also have the opportunity to critically reflect in writing on their education abroad experience with AMIDEAST.
For study abroad in:
Scholarship and program applications are due:
Summer
March 15
Fall or Academic Year
April 15
Spring
October 15
ELIGIBILITY Funding is available only to American students on AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, and Tunisia. Awards will be made only to students who submit a completed scholarship application and a complete program application by the established deadlines (see table). Scholarship applications from all qualified students will be considered. However, preference is given to applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria: •
urrently enrolled at a college or university C that is either a member of the AMIDEAST Academic Consortium or an AMIDEAST Affiliate. • First-generation college students and/or members of groups that historically have been underrepresented on study abroad programs. • Demonstrated serious financial need • Demonstrated academic excellence Please note, the above criteria are NOT requirements for a scholarship applicant. Students from all institutions and backgrounds are eligible for AMIDEAST Need-Based Scholarships.
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
33
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Alumni Association Student involvement with AMIDEAST doesn’t end when a program ends! AMIDEAST Education Abroad has an expansive alumni network and provides numerous work, Arabic study, and networking opportunities through the Alumni Association. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WEBSITE The Alumni Association website is updated monthly with Arabic language resources, job and internship announcements, and networking opportunities with fellow AMIDEAST alumni. To encourage the regular use of Arabic following an AMIDEAST program, the website provides links to Arabic YouTube web series, an Arabic news and articles e-reader, and to Arabic podcasts. Information on AMIDEAST’s bi-annual photo contest is also posted on the website.
34
ALUMNI NEWSLETTERS AMIDEAST Education Abroad publishes three alumni newsletters over the course of the academic year. Each newsletter highlights specific internship, career, and scholarship opportunities both in the United States and in the Middle East/North Africa region. Newsletters also inform alumni of AMIDEAST program updates and ways for alumni to get involved with Education Abroad, such as through regular photo contests and applying to be a featured alum. NETWORKING AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Spending a semester or summer abroad can be, quite simply,a life-changing experience. After your time abroad, career goals may shift and paths to pursuing new-found interests may be initially unclear. We want to ensure AMIDEAST alumni have the professional tools they need to both share their experience in the MENA region and to explore new opportunities to return abroad. AMIDEAST provides a number of resources online for alumni to help answer the question “what next?” In addition, AMIDEAST staff often connect Education Abroad alumni with opportunities to return to the Middle East and North Africa to volunteer or work in the various educational and training projects run by AMIDEAST’s offices in the region.
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
STUDENT PROFILES – WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Student Profiles – Where are they now?
AMIDEAST Education Abroad prides itself on preparing students to take ownership of their education abroad experience and navigate the world on their own with confidence. AMIDEAST alumni go on to accomplish great things around the globe! JEREMY BOOTH
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee – Fall 2010 in Cairo, Egypt; Spring 2011 in Amman, Jordan
“I became a more independent, critically-thinking, mature human being through my study abroad experience. On returning to the United States I realized how drastically my world view had changed and how I felt like a much more informed citizen of not only the United States, but the world.” After graduation, Jeremy returned to Cairo. He currently works for the marketing department of AMIDEAST/Egypt researching Egyptian enrollment in US institutions of higher education.
CATHERINE LITTEN
American University – Spring 2011 in Rabat, Morocco
“AMIDEAST definitely encouraged me to continue developing my interest in the Middle East and North Africa. The area studies courses answered a lot of questions, explained a lot of issues, but also made me want to constantly dig deeper, to understand more.” Following graduation, Catherine interned with AMIDEAST in Washington then moved to Egypt to complete a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) tutor training program. Currently, she works as a grade 6 teacher in a school in Cairo that follows an American curriculum. SAM RIBNICK
University of Pennsylvania – Fall 2009 in Amman, Jordan
“Being in the AMIDEAST program helped shape both my interest in the MENA region and my desire to live and work abroad throughout my life. AMIDEAST offered the most complete experience through a homestay, classes in both colloquial and formal Arabic, as well as college level courses about the politics, culture, and history of the region.” Following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, Sam explored rural agricultural markets and the effects of large-scale aid interventions on Bedouin communities in Jordan on a Fulbright grant. Recently, Sam was accepted as an American India Foundation Clinton Fellow and is currently working as a Business Development Analyst for an IT social business based in Kolkata, India.
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
35
HOW TO APPLY
How to Apply 6 SIMPLE STEPS TO BEGIN YOUR MIDDLE EASTERN/NORTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE
1 2 3 4 5 6 36
Consider your priorities and interests. Select your location. Decide when you want to go. Choose an AMIDEAST program that meets your academic needs. Set up a meeting with your study abroad advisor to discuss the AMIDEAST program you have chosen. Bringing a catalog can be helpful! Check admission requirements and application deadlines for both your home institution and your AMIDEAST program. Go to www.amideast.org/abroad to begin your online application. Be sure to write down your account username and password in case you need to complete the application in multiple sittings. Submit your online application. Have all of your supporting documents sent to DocsEdAbroad@amideast.org or mailed to AMIDEAST Headquarters in Washington. Supporting documents include a transcript, two letters of recommendation, and a Study Abroad Advisor form. After acceptance, confirm your participation by submitting the Participation Confirmation Form and a $500 deposit.
Photographs by Heather Aiolupotea, Subhi Bani-Khalid, Eleanor Easton, Abby Ewart, Macarena Torres Girao, Jessy Hampton, Mattie Lanz, Cara Lane-Toomey, Elena Ruyter, David Schwartz, Allegra Skurka, Caitlin Trotter, Fifi Wang, and Shino Marta Yoshen.
EDUCATION ABROAD I www.amideast.org/abroad
STUDY ABROAD IN THE ARAB WORLD TIMELINE
To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Feb - Apr
May - Oct
Dec - Mar
March
April
October
May
June
November
Apr - July
R PR ECE O IV G E RA A M ND IN PA VO Y PR IC DE EP E PA A R RT E U FO RE R YO U R AR RI VE IN CO U N RE TR H TU Y O R M N E
O CH
FALL
SPRING
SUMMER
O
SE
YO
– Bill Bryson
U S R PR SC UB M H I O O T G LA PR RA RS O M H GR IP A AP M G PL AN ET IC D AC AT IO CE N PT ED
Study Abroad in the Arab World Timeline
June - July
Nov - Dec
May - July
August
January
December
May
June - Aug
www.amideast.org/abroad I EDUCATION ABROAD
37
America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. 1730 M Street, NW Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20036-4505 Phone: 202-776-9629 Fax: 202-776-7029 Email: EdAbroad@amideast.org www.amideast.org/abroad