Middle East Studies Program

The MESP program is one of the most unique and memorable experiences you may have in your life. As an alum, I can still hardly believe I walked inside the pyramids of Giza, rode a camel through the set of Star Wars (also known as Wadi Rum), and listened to esteemed lecturers from anthropologists and professors, to members of the Knesset and the PLO. Most importantly, these experiences were made special because of the people - fellow students and directors alike - that created one of the most loving and accepting environments I've ever been a part of. The Middle East is a difficult region to understand as it is layered by cultural, religious, and political histories that weave together indiscriminately, quite unlike they do in the West. I couldn't imagine a better way to start unpacking these layers and learning to understand the people, cultures, and religions of the Middle East.

I loved my semester with MESP. The program staff are incredibly supportive, adventurous, and culturally involved. They both pushed and supported us in adapting to Jordanian culture, and when we were confused navigating differences, their common answer to our question was, "That's a great question for one of your Jordanian friends." While the program is well-fit to a broad disciplinary interest, students of anthropology, politics, and related disciplines were especially well-fit. The housing is in a great location, the country is very safe and hospitable, and the program includes incredible travel opportunities. Classes encouraged us to see ourselves from other perspectives through study of political conflict, Arabic language dialects, and cultural ways of being. The program prepared me well for a hopeful future in Middle East studies.