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Thank you to everyone who followed my blog while I was abroad! I had an amazing experience in both my studies at the American University of Kuwait and my travels throughout the Middle East. Through the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Kuwait, I received a Certificate in Arabian Gulf Studies from the American University of Kuwait; where I completed course work related to Arab Politics, Middle Eastern Perspectives on US Foreign Policy, the Culture & History of the Arabian Gulf and Middle East region, and Modern Standard Arabic Language. In addition, through AMIDEAST I was very fortunate to study Colloquial (Kuwaiti) Arabic with Professor Ibrahim Naseer, the head of the Arabic as a Second Language program at Kuwait University. Thank you to everyone at the AMIDEAST headquarters in Washington DC and the Kuwait office, as well as, the American University of Kuwait, and of course, to my tutor Professor Ibrahim Naseer.

http://www.auk.edu.kw/index.jsp
http://www.amideast.org/abroad/programs/jordan/semesteracademic-year-american-university-kuwait

While studying abroad in Kuwait, I also travelled to seven other countries; the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Bahrain. Throughout my journey, I tried all sorts of new and exciting activities. For instance, I learned how to snowboard inside the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. I tried my hand at sailing in the Arabian Sea. I went cliff diving in Oman. I tried sand-boarding in the desert in Qatar. I went in a hot air balloon in Egypt. I floated in the Dead Sea in Jordan. I learned how to wakeboard in Kuwait. I got certified in scuba diving in Egypt. I went dune-bashing in 4x4s in the desert in the UAE, Oman, and Qatar. I rode camels in Dubai, Qatar, and Egypt. I camped out in the gorgeous burnt orange color desert in Oman. I marveled at the pyramids and temples in Egypt, Petra in Jordan, and various Roman ruins in Syria, as well as, visited countless museums and mosques. The list of adventures goes on and on. Needless to say, I had an incredible year; I met a lot of wonderful people and had a lot of great experiences that I will always remember.

I am proud to say that I am a National Security Education Program (NSEP) Boren Scholar, as well as, a Gilman International Scholar. These are two excellent scholarship programs that provide funds to students traveling to less traditional locations to study a critical language. These scholarship programs truly afforded me the opportunity to study abroad for such an extended period of time creating a real immersion experience.

http://www.borenawards.org/
http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program

A special thanks to everyone at George Mason University who helped me through the scholarship application process. With a special thanks to Dr. Deirdre Moloney (Director of Fellowships and Undergraduate Apprenticeship Program), Dr. Susan Trencher (Dept Chair/Associate Professor of Anthropology), Dr. Alexander Benitez (Assistant Professor of Anthropology), and Erin Mateu and Sarah Mournighan at the Center for Global Education (CGE).

http://soan.gmu.edu/
http://globaled.gmu.edu/index.html

Lastly, I will finally be graduating from George Mason University this spring! I will be receiving a BA in Cultural Anthropology, with minors in Middle East Studies, and Conflict Analysis & Resolution, and a Certificate in Islamic Studies. Furthermore, I am on track to graduate magna cum laude! I am currently applying for employment that could lead to a great career overseas. I am extremely excited for what lay ahead in my future and all the amazing career possibilities. I am blown away by everything that I was able to accomplish and all the experiences I had while abroad, but it is only just the beginning!

And now I leave you with some highlights from the year...