American students on visit to Zayed University

10 American students from Dickinson College, USA, visit Zayed University and gain insight into Arab life and culture

Five girls, five boys and two faculty members from Dickinson College, USA, were visitors on a study travel programme to Zayed University recently. During their two-week trip they visited both campuses of ZU - Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

They learnt about the history and heritage of the UAE during a tour of the UAE.

“I was surprised with the academic lifestyle that they have here,” said Harmar Denning, a student from Pittsburg. “They have this one-to-one relationship that allows for an open dialogue, which I believe is excellent.”

The American students were not just surprised by the way classes are conducted, but with the technology used on campus.

“There is more technology here than in most of the universities we have back home in the United States,” said David Connins, professor of history.

Surprised by everything

Jane Burg admitted to being surprised by everything. But what particularly impressed her was the number of female students pursuing higher education.

Like Jane, the others were also surprised by the large number of female UAE students and the role they play in society. It had been their general impression that women were not allowed to speak or go out.

“I look at the UAE now and see how it is and then look at its future and the number of women graduating with great thoughts and education; I see constant change, progress and development,” said Nickolas Grinstead.

On the ZU campus in Dubai the visitors debated political issues such as the impact of American policies in Palestine and Iraq.

“I was surprised to find out that the issue of Palestine and American politics is a greater one than that of Iraq,” said Christine Kig.

The visitors said that the number of Arab students at Dickinson College was not very big, but nonetheless significant.

Tarek Kalash, a Lebanese student at Dickinson College, said that the campus is very diverse. It has a Middle Eastern Club as well as an association, said Tarek. They host events that show aspects of the Arab world rarely seen abroad.

Laura A. Mossler, director of Dickinson’s Global Education Center said that the college had recently hosted 26 students from 13 countries.

The students stayed for five weeks, during which they exchanged ideas with their American hosts. This, said Mossler, was an opportunity for them to try and break down barriers and establish a new understanding.

Towards the end of the students’ visit they were asked if they would consider coming back to the UAE for a job. Scott Wetzel replied in the affirmative. “I would love to come back for a job. The living is good and the weather is nice. I love it.”

The American visit proved to be a great experience for both the Dickinson group and the students and faculty of Zayed University.

As Dr Hanif Hassan, Vice-president of ZU, has so rightly said, “With teaching we fix what politics destroys.”

The writer is a communications and media sciences student at Zayed University