by Kirsten Sheppard
Center for International Education
Maryville College now has 3 new programs (ok, so more than that, but I want to talk about these three) in: Morocco, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. [Thanks ISEP] What is so interesting about these three? Among other things, they target world areas that we haven't been able to offer semester-long programs before. We have taken students to Morocco - Drs. Cowan and Bolden often introduced students to the Middle East region. But we haven't had this many opportunities to study abroad and learn Arabic - EVER! If I were an international studies , politics, or an international business major, I would definitely be thinking that this is a language I might want to know, and a culture to better understand.
Where are there sure to be jobs? From government jobs, to the military, to ESL schools - Arabic cultures seem to be a pretty important world area to learn about if one wants to be certain of a job in the next few years.
Morocco also has the distinct advantage of being a program where students can study in English and in French. We are no longer confined to a tiny island off Madagascar to hit French-speaking Africa. Oh - and amazing food and markets. That would grab my attention.
The school in Malaysia is particularly good as a teacher training institution...perfect for wanna-be TESL majors, or even just for teaching licensure students who want to get exposure to a different culture and way of educating! And they have great volunteering opportunities (hear that Bonners?)
So - I haven't lived in Sharjah, but I did live 10 minutes away in Dubai. Perfect for business majors (not to mention Intl Studies, English Lit, Communications), this is a place where economic growth is at a pace we can't even imagine here. Besides, we have at least a few Maryville grads living there who could show you the ropes (right Masa and Keita?).
Want to learn more? Look them up at http://www.isep.org/students/Directory/members_outside_usa.asp I am accepting application for these programs until July 1st.
Center for International Education
Maryville College now has 3 new programs (ok, so more than that, but I want to talk about these three) in: Morocco, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. [Thanks ISEP] What is so interesting about these three? Among other things, they target world areas that we haven't been able to offer semester-long programs before. We have taken students to Morocco - Drs. Cowan and Bolden often introduced students to the Middle East region. But we haven't had this many opportunities to study abroad and learn Arabic - EVER! If I were an international studies , politics, or an international business major, I would definitely be thinking that this is a language I might want to know, and a culture to better understand.
Where are there sure to be jobs? From government jobs, to the military, to ESL schools - Arabic cultures seem to be a pretty important world area to learn about if one wants to be certain of a job in the next few years.
Morocco also has the distinct advantage of being a program where students can study in English and in French. We are no longer confined to a tiny island off Madagascar to hit French-speaking Africa. Oh - and amazing food and markets. That would grab my attention.
The school in Malaysia is particularly good as a teacher training institution...perfect for wanna-be TESL majors, or even just for teaching licensure students who want to get exposure to a different culture and way of educating! And they have great volunteering opportunities (hear that Bonners?)
So - I haven't lived in Sharjah, but I did live 10 minutes away in Dubai. Perfect for business majors (not to mention Intl Studies, English Lit, Communications), this is a place where economic growth is at a pace we can't even imagine here. Besides, we have at least a few Maryville grads living there who could show you the ropes (right Masa and Keita?).
Want to learn more? Look them up at http://www.isep.org/students/Directory/members_outside_usa.asp I am accepting application for these programs until July 1st.