Scholarships Awarded for Middle East Studies #HogsAbroad

The King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Arkansas is pleased to announce the recipients of its competitive Middle East Studies Academic Scholarship for academic year 2016-17.

Scholarships range between $5,000 and $10,000 per academic year, and are awarded only to undergraduate students majoring in Middle East Studies who have demonstrated serious commitment to study and excellence in their coursework and scholarship.

"We are very proud of our incredible students," says Tom Paradise, director of the King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies. "It is our privilege to support their endeavors in academia, and to facilitate the long-term effects of their education on the world beyond the University of Arkansas campus."

Awardees for the 2016-2017 academic year reflect a continual trend of excellence among Middle East Studies majors:

• Sarah Cory is a senior Honors student majoring in Geography and Middle East Studies.
• Christopher Cowan is a senior Honors student majoring in International Relations and Middle East Studies, with a minor in Arabic.
• Shelli Daniel is a senior majoring in International Relations and Middle East Studies, with minors in Arabic and Political Science.
• Natalie Ellis is a senior majoring in International Relations, Middle East Studies, and Political Science, with a minor in Arabic.
• Antonia Greet is a junior majoring in Anthropology and Middle East Studies.
• Joseph Largent is a senior Honors student majoring in Geography, International Relations and Middle East Studies, with minors in Arabic and Political Science.
• Amy Lyon is a junior Honors student majoring in History, International Studies and Middle East Studies, with minors in Arabic, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and Religious Studies.
• Meagan Mosier is a junior Honors student majoring in Geography and Middle East Studies, with minors in Arabic and Foundations of Sustainability.
• Jamie Nix is a senior majoring in International Relations and Middle East Studies, with minors in Arabic and Political Science.

Students are encouraged to apply for funding in the upcoming academic year if they will be undergraduate juniors with a minimum of 60 credit hours. Scholarship applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 and a GPA of 3.5 in MEST-related courses. In granting scholarships, the King Fahd Center considers the applicant's academic record, letters of recommendation, and financial need. An informational session on funding available from the King Fahd Center will be offered at 2 p.m. Oct. 21, in Old Main room 319.

Please address any questions about the application process to Nani Verzon, Program Coordinator for the King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies at hverzon@uark.edu or 479-575-2175.  Applications may be picked up in hardcopy in the Middle East Studies Office, 202 Old Main, or may be requested electronically via email.  Completed applications must be received by the Middle East Studies office no later than February 1, 2017.

About the King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies: The King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies is an academic and research unit in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. An interdisciplinary and interdepartmental area studies center that offers diverse cultural, intellectual, and educational opportunities for the University of Arkansas community, it promotes research and teaching in interdisciplinary Middle East studies. The Center offers an undergraduate major in Middle East Studies and supports graduate studies in related departments through the Middle East Studies Program, as well as summer language study and research assistantships for graduate students and teaching and research by visiting scholars from affiliated universities and programs.  More information about the King Fahd Center can be found at mest.uark.edu.  For ongoing news, follow the Center on Facebook and Twitter.

Contacts

Nani Verzon, HEI Program coordinator
Middle East Studies Program
479-575-2175, hverzon@uark.edu

Jordan A Game Changer #HogsAbroad

Delaney Morgan
Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan, summer 2013
Article courtesy of University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Delaney Morgan (left) riding a camel in the Wadi Rum desert.

"Studying abroad in Amman, Jordan was a life changing experience.  Every day was a new adventure that was completely different from my life at home. 

While I was there I studied US Foreign Policy in the Middle East, History of the Arab World, and was tutored for Arabic.  People often ask me what my favorite memory from abroad was, but that is so hard to answer because there are so many! 

However, riding camels in the Wadi Rum desert and camping out, an excursion to Petra, and getting the opportunity to visit with Syrian refugees are at the top of my ‘favorites list’. The environment was completely different from anything I had ever experienced, which is why I loved it so much.

Jordan is a third world country, and because of this I was able to learn so much and get more out of my study aboard experience by being immersed in a such a unique culture. Of course, because it was the Middle East, there were challenges and cultural norms I had to adapt to, though everyone from Jordan was exceptionally understanding and welcoming.  I studied through International Studies Abroad (ISA), and they were incredibly helpful and made the process less stressful and overwhelming.

My recommendation for people studying abroad is to go to a country that is completely different from any culture you have experienced before and to stay as long as you can.  Studying abroad gave me a new outlook and perception on life and other cultures around me. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to experience a unique education abroad experience, too."
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Search for study abroad opportunities in Jordan, Morocco and over 40 other countries: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search

11 #HogsAbroad Students Selected for Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Eleven University of Arkansas students have been selected to receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, and four students have been selected as alternates. The scholarship, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, allows undergraduate students the opportunity to study or complete an internship abroad.

The Gilman Scholars were awarded a total of $39,000 to apply towards study abroad program costs. The scholarship program is intended to increase international experiences for American students, so as to better prepare them to take leadership roles in the increasingly global economy.

"When I received word that I had been awarded the Gilman Scholarship, I breathed a sigh of relief," said scholarship recipient Tabitha Orr. "This opportunity is an amazing one that will change my life and enrich my education. I am blessed to be able to do it without worry and with a sense that my hard work has paid off."

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

• Courtney Belcher, international relations major, studying abroad in Jordan
• Javier Gamboa, English major, studying abroad in Mexico
• Gerald Hill, anthropology major, studying abroad in Greece
• Talia Johnson, nursing major, studying abroad in South Korea
• William Lea, chemical engineering major, study abroad program to be determined
• Lori Miller, accounting major, studying abroad in Ireland
• Tabitha Orr, history and African and African American studies major, studying abroad in France
• Carolyn Paananen, Spanish major, studying abroad in Chile
• Emily Pham, international studies major, studying abroad in Japan
• Gabriela Villalobos, interior design major, studying abroad in Italy
• Andrea Wilson, psychology major, studying abroad in Brazil

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP ALTERNATES

• Layla Leon, psychology major, studying abroad in Mexico
• Erik Salazar, international business major, study abroad program to be determined
• Tevin Whitney, social work major, studying abroad in France
• Jocelyn Wulf, drama major, studying abroad in England

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Applications for the spring 2016 Gilman Scholarships will be available in Aug. 2015 and are due in Oct. 2015. Undergraduate students with limited financial means who plan to study abroad are encouraged to apply.

Learn More About the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program at http://www.iie.org/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program

Bridging Cultures, Building Understanding: Studying Abroad in the Middle East

Interview with Lauren Kardos of Amideast (http://www.amideast.org/)

Tell me about the AMIDEAST Mission.

Amideast is one of the only study abroad organizations that focuses on the Middle East. Amideast is working to enhance cross cultural understanding. The program focuses on Arabic and intercultural learning so students can build connections and share them at home in the US while also sharing their American culture with Arabic students.

Where can you study abroad with AMIDEAST?

Jordan

Morocco

Oman

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes and we really try to offer scholarships to students who are need based.

Semester- two separate scholarship opportunities

1. Need Based-  $500-$5,000 for semester
2. Blog Abroad- every two weeks you submit a blog post and its $1,000 off of the tuition cost

Summer- Only need based scholarships

What majors are these programs developed for?

Mainly International Studies, Arabic, History, Anthropology, Political Science, but we have had students from medial or science backgrounds who were interesting in language specialties.

How are classes set up?

Semester- Each student is required to take 2 Arabic classes. The other 2 or 3 classes can be chosen from the other classes offered at the Amideast Center.

Summer- For students who are interested in Intensive Arabic. Two classes are offered teaching the Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Arabic.

No Arabic experience is needed before departure but classes do go up to Advanced Arabic.

How are students introduced into community life?

Cultural dialogue sessions are a great way to meet local university students. They meet 5-6 times a semester and focus discussions on politics, cultural issues etc. In addition, each student is introduced to a language partner who can help with homework and is a great way to exchange cultures.

Do you have excursions?

During the semester there are three large excursions while in the summer there are 1-2 depending on the length of the program. 

What is the service learning program?

Semester- 3 credit class in Morocco and Jordan 
Students are placed in local nonprofits that are aligned with their majors or interests. Students volunteer for 6 hours a week and then in class learn about nonprofits in their host country which enhances their intercultural communication and knowledge of working in a foreign workplace.

What does housing look like?

In Jordan and Morocco students live with host families. In Oman students share apartments with other Amideast students close to the University Campus. Most meals are included in host families and for Oman breakfast and lunch is included during school days. All other meals are the student’s responsibility.

What was your personal experience studying abroad in Jordan, Lauren?

Academics

I majored in Middle East Studies and International Affairs during a spring semester and then extended to stay for the whole summer. Throughout the semester I was enrolled in International Relations in the Middle East, Contemporary Islamic Thought, two Arabic courses and the service learning course.

Service Learning

I worked in the Jordanian Women's Union which offers divorce services and support for Jordanian women. My role was helping with research for the United Nations program and also helping out with outreach through social media.

Community Engagement

I met a lot of my friends through Amideast and my language partner. Some of the professors introduced us to other students as well. I was able to meet a lot of Jordanian friends

Housing

I lived with a host family and loved the cultural experience.

One piece of advice…

To go with the flow and don’t get frustrated because the perception of time is very different in the Middle East. The best word to know is “insha’allah,” it means “if god wills it.” That encompasses the culture. The lifestyle is relaxed and chill so don't expect to have everything scheduled. Just take opportunities that present themselves because it’s a really hospitable culture as well. Always go and adventure!

To learn more about studying abroad with Amideast, visit http://www.amideast.org/.