Middle East studies - US or Middle East?

[tomasdavis]

Hi,

 

Would love to get a discussion going about thoughts regarding location for Mideast studies.  Comparing, say, Georgetown or Johns Hopkins, to AUC in Egypt - doing a program in the Mideast offers a much different experience re. language and cultural experience than a program in the US.

 

Any perspectives to share?  Two sides could be "nothing beats the Arab world for learning about the Arab world" and "a top tier name from a US grad program is the way to go, it is the ultimate door-opener/networking asset (particularly the DC programs)".

 

I'll frame this in my personal experience.  I currently live in Khartoum.  Previously I was in the UAE.  Evaluating grad programs based on my UAE experience (the UAE isnt really Arab culture or language-intensive), I thought that the program name was the most important factor, thus all I really was considering were US programs .  However, after relocating to Khartoum, I now see huge benefit in living and interacting in the Arab world (Arabic everywhere, constant exposure to Arab and Islamic culture) if your goal is becoming an expert on Mideast affairs and Arabic.

 

I'll note that my personal interest is in working in the MENA region after grad school (not in DC).

 

Regards!

 

 

[KevinYoungX]

Why does this post have no replies?

 

Anyway, I am not expert on the subject, but I am learning more myself. I have been debating whether or not I want to get a Master's or a PhD in the United States or Israel.

 

Can I ask where you decided to apply?

[Guest]

^Hey, nice to see someone from LA AND interested in the Middle East on this site.  Nice to know that people are still considering AUC these days as well!

 

To anyone like the OP, I applied to the American University in Cairo(Egypt) and to many known international affairs US schools. For AUC, I applied for the Global Affairs-International Security program AND Middle East Studies program. My area of focus will be security, international crime, and international affairs in the Middle East..along with gaining proficiency in Arabic. I've told myself that I think Egypt is a good choice for me because like you said, it will definitely be exposure to learning the language faster. If you also want to work for some government agency or any Middle-East based job, the travel experience will be a huge plus on your resume.

 

As for the American schools, I'm sure that names like Georgetown might stick out. Schools like Hopkins and Georgetown do have mandatory language requirements, which includes Arabic as being an option. But, I doubt that those schools go beyond teaching Modern Standard Arabic. I would like to learn some of the regional dialects as well. In my opinion, actually traveling to the Middle East and gaining exposure to the culture seems to outbeat that. I'm an American who plans to work within the Middle East via a US government agency. In terms of US government agencies like being an embassy worker for the FBI and CIA, they would accept someone with traveling experience and fluent language skills over someone who just went to a prestigious American university and lacks that. So, I do not care about the 'brand name.'  I say this as an American. I also hope to work in places like Egypt, Oman, Jordan, UAE, etc.

 

And, why wouldn't you apply to AUC? I believe that Americans and Sudanese have been their largest groups of international students lol.

Edited February 1, 2015 by Guest

[tomasdavis]

Hi Kevin and Onelove,

 

I applied to Georgetown and AUC - I just received an email from AUC today that decisions come out in July!!  If I get an offer from Georgetown I'll ask for an early decision from AUC - I have an opportunity to continue at my job in Khartoum and fly in a few weekends each semester, which could happen from Cairo but not from DC, and I like this job so that's a big factor for me.  I can tell you from being in Khartoum that you DO learn the dialect on the street and that also makes Cairo very appealing, the same would happen there.

 

Kevin re MA/PhD, Im actually a uni prof currently, I have an MBA but am choosing another MA instead of any type of PhD because I just like being in the action... the MA is to give me some additional skills/knowledge, then get back in the action ASAP, and I think a PhD would be a very long process involving a lot of writing and probably less relevant to on-the-ground skills that Im looking for - but ask around, you'll get a lot of different perspectives.

[Guest]

Yeah, my job field is calling for people with international experience. So a one way ticket to Egypt via AUC will be a good opportunity. Another issue I have with the States is that they do not really teach you the dialects when it comes to Arabic. Most of the programs that I applied to mostly focus on random classes that are not intensive towards learning that language or just lack the sources to teach the dialects.

 

AUC is one my last schools that I am waiting to hear from. If they give me some type of aid, then I'm going there.

Edited March 13, 2015 by Guest

[KevinYoungX]

Tomasdavis - Have you decided where you're going yet?