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Omani student leaders visit UD
The students sat in on classes and met with some faculty and staff, but most of their time was spent learning from their peers--UD’s student leaders. “At many U.S. schools, the concept of student government and student-led activities is very well-developed, and the University of Delaware also has an excellent leadership program, including a major in leadership,” Bernard La Berge, an American who is dean of the Oman college, said. “But, our students are pioneers in this field because we have the only elected student government in Oman.” The group of five students, accompanied by the adviser to the MCBS student council and La Berge, came to the United States through the Student Horizons Project, which was funded by the U.S. State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative. The initiative, which also brought 20 Middle Eastern students to UD for a five-week program this summer, is designed to promote an understanding of American culture abroad. The students from Oman began their 11-day visit in St. Louis, where MCBS has an academic affiliation with the University of Missouri. After meeting with students and faculty at two universities there, the visitors came to Delaware, hosted by UD’s Center for International Studies. “The concept of student government back home is a new idea, so we wanted to learn from the experts, from students who have been doing this for a long time,” Hassan Al-Lawati, a marketing and management major and vice president of the MCBS student council, said. “From talking to the students here, we’ve learned a lot. I’m really impressed by how the student government is run and by the power the students have in terms of decision-making.” The visiting students sat in on such UD classes as “Leadership, Integrity and Change” and “Global Media and International Politics.” They attended a talk on public speaking and leadership skills by Karen Aniunas, assistant dean for student services in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and they met with a variety of students, including members of the Resident Student Association and student leaders from the Honors Program. Social activities included a trip to a shopping mall and a day touring Washington, D.C. “Besides learning about student leadership, we thought this would also be a good way for us to get to know Americans and to strengthen the relationship between our countries,” student council adviser Ahmed Al-Matani said. “After mingling with people here, I really have a good opinion because everyone has been so nice.” Al-Matani said the group also enjoyed dispelling some common American misconceptions about Oman, educating UD students about the country’s diverse geography, modern cities and educational opportunities. La Berge said plans have been made for the MCBS and UD students to keep in touch via videoconferencing, enabling them to share advice on student government issues and to further develop friendships. For student Jihad Al-Khalili, president of the MCBS student council and a senior studying marketing and management, the trip was an eye-opener. Before leaving Oman for what was his first U.S. visit, he said, friends and family warned him to be cautious and to keep a low profile in case he encountered Americans who were hostile toward those from the Middle East. “It turned out to be just the opposite,” Al-Khalili said. “From the airport on, everybody has been smiling and friendly. I’m seriously thinking about trying to come back here to study in graduate school.” The Modern College of Business and Science is a private college that recently expanded from a two-year, associate-degree institution to a four-year college offering bachelor’s degrees. The college emphasizes international experiences and a strong command of the English language for its students. Article by Ann Manser To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |
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