Bethlehem University Students participated in the 2006 Middle East partnership initiative

Two Bethlehem University Students, Laila Kattan and Odai Jubran participated in the 2006 Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Study of the U.S. This Study is administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State. The mission of ECA is to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries around the world.

Laila Kattan, a sophomore studying Business Administration, went to Georgetown University in Washington D. C. Laila spent seven weeks in USA together with 21 students from 17 different Arab Countries. Laila attended classes at Georgetown University including lectures on American history, society, economy, culture and politics. She also participated in peer to peer round table sessions with students from Georgetown University and George Washington University. Part of the program was visiting landmark places including the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon-George Washington ‘s residence and many other places. Speaking of her experience at Georgetown University Laila said “ It was the best experience ever to feel like a student at Georgetown University which is one of the best Universities in the United States.”  Laila made two presentations, the first one was making a vision Statement for Palestine and the second was a small group presentation about the Great Depression of the 1930’s in the USA.

Oday Jubran, a junior majoring in computer information systems, went to Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The ultimate objective of the Middle East Partnership Initiative is twofold: first to evaluate the participants leadership and collective problem-solving skills and to provide a challenging academic program that will give a working knowledge of American history, society, culture, economy and politics. As part of the program Odai visited many milestone places in the United States. At the end of the visit Oday made a presentation about Palestine, the country and the political leaders of Palestine.