ISEP Network assists students during global crises
One of the highlights of ISEP membership is the collaboration throughout the network that enables students and faculty to benefit from the academic programs and support systems of member institutions. The benefits of this collaboration have been evident this year, as ISEP coordinators and central staff worked together to find quick, viable study alternatives for students studying abroad in Egypt during the protests and in Japan after the earthquake.
Egypt protests
Although no students were studying abroad in Egypt through the ISEP Network at the time, ISEP played a critical role in enabling them to continue their studies in the Middle East in a safe environment. In particular, ISEP’s new exchange member in the Middle East, the American University of Sharjah, offered last minute placements at its campus so that students could continue their studies in the Middle East without interruption.
Only days into what would become an eighteen day stand-off in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in January, Egyptian protesters were calling for the ouster of long-ruling President Hosni Mubarak and the world nervously awaited a government response. Students studying abroad in Egypt unexpectedly found themselves in the center of a highly charged situation, concerned for their safety and wondering if their studies in Egypt would be suspended indefinitely.
West Virginia University student Caitlin Jones had planned to spend the spring semester in Alexandria, where peaceful protests quickly turned to riots. According to Jones, the severity of the situation began to escalate quickly: security forces began shooting rubber ammunition into crowds and the security guard at her building began patrolling the area “with a large kitchen knife, a huge stick, a canister of hairspray and a lighter (for instant flame thrower).” Needless to say, the decision was quickly made to evacuate Jones and the ISEP Network was able to quickly arrange an alternative study option for Caitlin at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
Student Daniel Hawk (Miami University of Ohio) was less concerned about his safety; however, both he and his ISEP coordinator, Richard Menard, were worried that his studies at the American University of Cairo could be suspended indefinitely. Mr. Menard reached out to Jessica O’Higgins, Program Officer for ISEP’s Mediterranean Europe and Middle Eastern Programs, to see if the ISEP Network might be able to assist him. Within days, Jessica had secured placement for Daniel at the American University of Sharjah and plans were made to evacuate Daniel from Egypt.
Also concerned over the growing instability, Missouri State University Coordinator Miko McFarland contacted the ISEP Network seeking an alternative placement for a student studying in Egypt. Within 72 hours of her request, ISEP was able to secure and offer an exchange placement at the American University of Sharjah. Ms. McFarland explained that turning to ISEP headquarters for assistance was an obvious choice: “ISEP’s close relationship with on site coordinators—both in the U.S. and abroad—gave me the peace of mind that an alternative placement could be quickly secured under the circumstances.”
The circumstances also provided these students an opportunity to experience life in the UAE. The American University of Sharjah is a strong option for students interested in studying Arabic language and Middle Eastern culture, as the university is currently expanding and strengthening its Arabic language program. AUS’s School of Business and Management also recently received the highly coveted AACSB accreditation, making it an ideal location for business students interested in working in the Middle East, and AUS’s College of Architecture, Art and Design also has full accreditation from the U.S. National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
Earthquake in Japan
On March 11, 2011, a powerful earthquake shook Japan, causing a deadly tsunami and nuclear emergency that has wreaked chaos across this normally peaceful and stalwart island nation. The death toll is now over 14,000 and hundreds of thousands of residents are still displaced. Although no ISEP students studying in Japan were directly affected by the events, staff within the ISEP Network collaborated to find and offer a last minute placement in Japan to one student from an ISEP member institution whose bilateral program had been cancelled, again signaling the strength of the network in times of need. Although no ISEP programs in the country have been cancelled, we continue to monitor and assess the situation in Japan and our hearts go out to everyone that has been affected by these unfortunate events.