Middle East
Middle East Studies Program, Cairo, Egypt (CCCU bestsemester.com) (Open to all majors)
Based in Cairo, Egypt, this program offers students a unique opportunity to explore and interact with the complex and strategically important world of the modern Middle East. Students explore diverse religious, social, cultural and political traditions of the Middle Eastern peoples through interdisciplinary seminars. They also study the Arabic language and may work as volunteers with various organizations in Cairo. Through travel in the region (typically Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Turkey), students are exposed to the diversity and dynamism of the local culture. At a time of tension and change in the Middle EAst, MESP encourages and equips students to relate to the Muslim, Eastern Christian and Jewish worlds in an informed, constructive and Christ-centered manner. 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