Hi! My name is Dane Shuart and I just finished my freshman year at the College of Charleston. I am currently a finance major with a double minor in economics and religious studies. Over the Maymester, I will be studying abroad in Israel for religious studies. I chose the study abroad trip to Israel because I became extremely fascinated with religious studies after taking my first Jewish studies course this…
During our first day in Jerusalem, I had the fantastic experience of walking Via Dolorosa and the Holy Sepulcher Church. Before visiting these locations, part of our “classroom hours” (they were just lectures on the bus rides) discussed the importance of these sites to Christianity. Via Dolorosa is the pathway that Jesus took while carrying the cross, on his way to be crucified. Among this walk, there are 14 stops that are important to the legend of the crucifixion, which included where he was…
While abroad I had the opportunity to intern at a non-governmental organisation called Tkiyet Um Ali. This was by far my favorite part of study abroad. In addition to receiving course credit at The College, I also managed to explore a career path that interested me. At Tkiyet Um Ali, I was working with underprivileged persons in all governorates of the Hashemite Kingdom. This organisation not only offered food support…
*Written previously* The School for International Training turned out to be the perfect choice for me. The staff were welcoming, attentive, and passionate. Our academic director, Raed Al Tabini, would constantly remind us that we are “touring but not tourists” as we explored some of the governorates of the Hashemite Kingdom. In choosing a study abroad program, it’s clear that Jordan will not be your typical abroad experience. Despite the…
I am exceptionally fortunate to have studied abroad several times during my college career. I have completed four short term study abroad programs through CofC. These programs have varied in length and destination: from a one-week spring break trip in Cuba, to two two-week Maymesters in Ghana and Iceland respectively, to a three-week summer program in England and France. Now, I am halfway through my semester abroad in Greece. Other…
This time last year, I was filling out scholarship applications like there was no tomorrow. Between juggling classwork during the week, waking up early on weekends, and dedicating substantial amounts of time during CofC’s Fall Break – I knew if I wanted to make my dream of studying abroad a reality I needed to secure as much financial aid as possible. I took advantage of some of CofC’s departmental scholarships…
Abigail Martuscello is a Gilman Scholarship Recipient. Israel is not your average place to study abroad. Nestled on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean and neighboring Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, this country, roughly the size of New Jersey is packed with history, culture, and political momentum. Unless you’re of the Jewish faith, most people associate Israel with either the Bible or with its seemingly intractable conflict with the Palestinians who…
Abigail Martuscello is a Gilman Scholarship Recipient. My name is Abigail Martuscello and I am a Junior at the College of Charleston studying Political Science / Jewish Studies / Middle Eastern Studies. This semester I will be studying abroad through USAC at the University of Haifa in Israel. With a lifelong goal of becoming fluent in another language, I always knew that the location of where I chose to study…
If you study the Arabic language, you are familiar with the understanding that Modern Standard Arabic varies greatly from the actual spoken Arabic languages. This can be frustrating as there are very limited resources out there for learning the many Arabic dialects. Additionally, there are many sayings used in daily life throughout the Arab world that are virtually impossible to learn through a textbook. In Jordan I learned many of…
My name is Olivia Chowdhury and I major in Political Sciences and minor in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the College of Charleston. I am currently a senior at The College; spending my final Fall semester in Amman, Jordan with The School for International Training. I chose SIT’s program focusing on geopolitics, international relations, and the future of the Middle East to have the opportunity to learn more about…
