“I was impressed by the diversity of mentality and ideas. I appreciate the honesty of the people,” Khulood Alatiyat, who is studying public relations in her homeland, the United Arab Emirates, said. "Dubai is a very busy city, so coming to a city like Newark makes me really appreciate the vast amount of greenery. I also appreciate the rich history of the University and its architecture," she said.
Alatiyat is one of 22 undergraduate students who arrived on campus July 7 for a six-week program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Office of Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) through a $430,000 grant to UD's Center for International Studies (CFIS).
Lesa Griffiths, the center's director, said this marks the fifth straight year that UD has been chosen to host the MEPI program.
“The center could not put together such an outstanding program without the help of so many faculty,” Griffiths said. “These are remarkably engaged students. The quality of the program is evident in the outcomes we see in the students and in the follow-up activities once they return home to their countries and their universities.”
Participating faculty include Jim Magee, professor of political science and international relations, who serves as the CFIS director this summer. Audrey Helfman, associate professor and associate policy scientist in UD's Institute for Public Administration, and faculty member in UD's Leadership Program, will help students to develop leadership skills. Such skills will help participants to be effective in civic engagements in their local, national, regional and global communities. Students also will take part in communication and conflict resolution workshops.
Besides academic on-campus activities, students will perform volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity and the Mary Campbell Center. Students also will broaden their understanding of the diversity of the United States and its citizens through study tours to Philadelphia, New York, Maine, Massachusetts and Colorado. The program concludes in Washington, D.C., where students will meet with governmental and nongovernmental leaders.
MEPI alumnus Sarah-Jane Chehab (UD MEPI 2004), is currently pursuing a doctorate in political science and international relations at UD. Dima Qassim (UD MEPI 2006) will begin her master of public administration program at UD this fall.
Asma Al Balushi said she hopes that participating in the MEPI program at UD will help her to learn about the education system in the United States and become an innovator in Omani education.
“Everything about this place is amazing. I like seeing totally different things and leaning about new things all the time,” Al Balushi said. “I also want to let others know about my country, Oman.”
Faris Al-Horaibi, of Yemen, said that participating in this summer's program at UD will him to develop leadership skills while expanding his knowledge of other cultures, traditions, beliefs and perspectives.
“America is different from what I thought it would be. I was impressed by the green land and the campus itself,” Al-Horaibi said. “Coming here is a way to develop my learning skills and to do community service. I would like to come back to UD and get a Ph.D.”
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kevin Quinlan