Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

On March 6, 2009, eight students from Washington, DC, came for a week-long visit to Georgetown’s Qatar campus. The visit was a requirement for “Revolutions in Comparative Perspective,” a course taught by Mehran Kamrava to students in both DC and Doha using Georgetown’s Global Classroom.

The course, which examines the causes, processes, and consequences of revolutions, is presented simultaneously to 5 students in Doha and 8 students in Washington, DC.

Erica Lim (SFS ’10 enrolled in the class because she considers it a unique opportunity. “It represents the best of Georgetown and its resources, bringing two campuses, two student bodies, and two cultures together,” she said.

After three months of studying together from separate locations, students in the Washington, DC, class finally met face-to-face with their classmates and professor here in Doha. The visit was scheduled during the DC-based students’ Spring Break holiday so that it wouldn’t conflict with their other classes.

"We bring students from the main campus principally for the educational value of the experience: when students are learning from a professor at such a distance, it's indispensable to give them a chance to meet," explained Victoria Pedrick, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. “The students also can interact with each other more effectively if they've had a chance to meet each other outside the classroom.”

Given the subject matter for the class, Kamrava, appreciated the symbolism of holding this academic meeting in Qatar. “On the one hand, Qatar is in a geographical area that has witnessed many contemporary revolutions and their aftermath, and on the other hand, it is also an area witnessing an educational revolution - especially here in Education City,” he said.

Beyond the classroom discussions the students were able to engage in dialogue with SFS-Qatar students from a variety of cultures across the Middle East and Asia. “As a student with almost no background in Middle Eastern studies, I was exposed to a completely different culture during our trip and learned an incredible amount by just observing and experiencing Doha. Our trip has made me much more sensitive to and understanding of cultural issues discussed in our class,” said Lim.

The program included cultural field trips and social outings across Doha’s landmarks. Students enjoyed visits to the recently opened Museum of Islamic Arts, The Museum of HE Sheikh Faisal Al-Thani, and the Qatar Islamic Cultural Center. They had tea with Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Qatar, and dinner with their classmates at Souq Waqif. “Even though we didn't stage a revolution in a neighboring country as the professor joked, it was great to meet our fellow students and professor face-to-face. It completely changes the dynamics of the class,” Jessica Kuntz (SFS ‘10).