What do YOU know about American culture?

Rawan Tahboub, a third year Computer Information Systems student at Bethlehem University , traveled to the United States as part of the North East South Asia Undergraduate Exchange Program to answer this very question. She learned quickly that many American students had never heard the words Palestine or the Palestinians . “We were shocked when they told us that they did not know what Palestine is or where it is located”, Rawan said, “but students approached us and asked us more questions”.

One-hundred and fifty students participated in the exchange program, all of whom were split into groups and sent to different universities and colleges throughout the country. Rawan, along with eight other students, attended Southern Maine Community College in Portland , Maine from August to December 2007.

The curriculum consisted of panels and workshops, among other activities, during which Rawan and another Palestinian from Jerusalem spoke about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. For a total of 12 credit hours exchange students were also required to attend classes and complete 20 hours of community service. Rawan volunteered her time at the Boys and Girls Club, a care center for children of low-income families, where she supervised the computer lab and assisted the children with their math homework. “This is where I learned the most about American culture”, Rawan said. “My interactions with the children gave me the chance to listen to them whereby I learned more about the family structure, how American children live and are treated, and how much effort is spent to care for children with special needs”. While in Maine Rawan also improved her English language skills, established relations with the university and students, and gained valuable information and practical experience in her field of study.

Upon her own initiative, Rawan and three other participants from Lebanon , Yemen and Bangladesh formed a “Math Club”. During their meetings the group members watched films about Mathematics and Physics scientists. They also held a competition that to design an airplane that can either travel the longest distance or for the longest time.

Rawan first learned about this opportunity through Bethlehem University 's Student Ambassador Program, which enables students to represent Bethlehem University at public events and before international guests. Bethlehem University Ambassadors Program is designed to strengthen English language, analysis and public speaking skills, and it requires that members know the history of Bethlehem University and keep abreast of breaking news in the region.

The US Consulate funded the North East South Asia Undergraduate Exchange Program to introduce youth living in the North East and South Asian countries to American culture and daily life, and to establish relations between them and youth in the US .