UPEI students studying in Egypt this summer
Fifteen students from the University of Prince Edward Island will spend the next month learning about the history and culture of the Middle East at Misr International University (MIU) in Cairo, Egypt.
Led by Sherilyn Acorn-LeClair, coordinator of international student exchanges at UPEI, the students are participating in a Middle East Studies Program offered at MIU from July 24 to August 21. The program is a partnership between UPEI and MIU.
Each of the 15 students has received a $5,000 scholarship from MIU that will cover the cost of tuition, field trips, and transportation costs to and from accommodations and the airport. Students pay for their flight and living expenses.
Through their course work and field studies, the students will gain a greater insight into the overall understanding of the Middle East, particularly its potential and its challenges. They will enjoy a week of field trips, including the Alexandria Library, Islamic and Christian Cairo as well as museums, pyramids, the stock exchange and different cultural events. They will then attend classes for three weeks of intensive study about the region's history and culture.
They will take a maximum of two courses, which, upon successful completion, will be transferred back to UPEI. Possible choices include ancient Egyptian history, Middle East politics, economic development in the Middle East, contemporary Arabic literature, and Arabic language for foreigners.
The program began in 2008, with two UPEI students--Emily Gorman and Michael Deighan-spending a month in Egypt. They strongly recommended the program to students interested in culture, history and travel.
'We made friends that we have kept in touch with and hope to visit in the future,' said Gorman.
Deighan also hopes to return to Egypt in the future.
'It was definitely the most interesting place I've visited so far and I plan to go back soon to see everything I've missed,' he said.
For information about international student exchange opportunities at UPEI, please contact Sherilyn Acorn-LeClair at (902) 894-2837 or sdacorn@.upei.ca or visit the Internationalization website.
