In May, the Stevens Initiative announced that Shenandoah University was one of 11 recipients to receive funding for a virtual exchange program that connects young people in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa. To prepare its students for their upcoming experience working collaboratively with peers from Yarmouk University in Jordan, Shenandoah is hosting a series of events to familiarize participants with Arab culture.
Beginning Monday, Sept. 16, SU’s Barzinji Institute for Global Virtual Learning will host four events for Shenandoah’s first-year students that cover everything from Arab customs and language to cuisine and games. During that same week, students at Yarmouk will have the opportunity to participate in similar events – also designed by SU faculty – that will introduce them to American culture. Both universities will begin collaborating virtually in the classroom shortly after as part of Shenandoah’s Virtually Going Global, an extension of the university’s First-Year Seminar program that is supported by the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI), a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute.
Led by Salah Algabli, Ph.D., assistant instructional professor in Arabic studies at the University of Florida, Shenandoah’s intro to Arab culture series begins Monday, Sept. 16, with “Beyond Borders: An Immersive Journey Into Arab Culture,” a four-day interactive presentation that explores topics such as greetings, family life and dining customs, and how they compare to SU students’ own cultures. Students also will engage in discussions that challenge stereotypes and foster a deeper appreciation for Arab and Islamic cultures.
Shenandoah’s first-year students can also attend “Playtime and Fashion,” where they’ll explore traditional Arabic games and fashion; “Intro to Arabic: A Language of Connection and Culture,” where they’ll learn the basics of the Arabic language and practice common greetings, basic vocabulary and simple conversations through interactive activities; and “Taste of Tradition: A Culinary Journey Through the Arab World,” a hands-on culinary experience where they’ll cook traditional dishes from regions such as North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant and learn about cultural practices such as floor seating and tea traditions.
We are excited to offer these introductions to Arab culture in preparation for the implementation of our virtual exchange with our partners at Yarmouk University in Jordan. These events will provide students with a basic foundation of the food, culture, language and traditions of the Middle East-North Africa region.”
Younus Mirza, Ph.D., director of the Barzinji Institute for Global Virtual Learning
Virtually Going Global creates a space for students at Shenandoah and Yarmouk to engage in a shared experience ranging from a common event (i.e. speaker, performance, documentary), cultural artifact project, or individually designed assignment. Integrated into SU’s general education curriculum as a requirement for first-year students, and as an optional course for Yarmouk University students in Jordan, binational groups develop projects based on their shared experiences that promote intercultural competencies and consideration of multiple perspectives. Each year, projects will be showcased at a culminating event in both regions.
