Middle East
Middle East Studies Program, Cairo, Egypt (CCCU bestsemester.com) (Open to all majors)
Students study Middle Eastern cultures, religions, and conflicts from within the complex world of the modern Middle East. Interdisciplinary seminars explore the diverse religious, social, cultural, and political traditions of the region. In addition, students study Arabic language and work as volunteers with various organizations in Cairo. Through travel to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey, students are exposed to the diversity and dynamism of the Middle East. The program seeks to encourage and equip students to relate to the Muslim world in an informed, constructive, and Christ-centered manner at a time of tension and change. A minimum 2.75 GPA is required. Homepage
Jerusalem University College, Jerusalem, Israel (Open to all majors)
Located within walking distance of Jerusalem’s Old City, Jerusalem University College students “study the Bible in the land of the Bible among the people of the Bible.” Students take courses in ancient biblical history, geography, archaeology and linguistics. Modern Hebrew and Arabic courses provide an immersive learning environment that enables participants to engage in the local community. Nearby sites to visit include the Western Wall, Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, Mt. of Olives, not to mention the vividly contrasting Jewish, Muslim, Armenian and Christian quarters. Fielt trips to the Negev, the Dead Sea, Masada, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Bethlehem, even Egypt and Jordan (extra travel component) allow students to grasp the contours of the geographic landscape as they grapple with interpreting Scripture in light of the Middle East’s political, social and cultural mileu, both past and present. The program seeks to imprint students with a sound biblical perspective for navigating the Scriptures and the cultural map of the modern Middle East. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required. Homepage