Northwestern students study on Doha campus

Undergraduates from Northwestern’s Evanston campus are spending a semester on the University’s international campus in Qatar.  

The students – Bryan Lee, Dylan Gresik, and Liming (Adrian) Wan – are spending the Fall semester at NU-Q where they are exploring the Middle East and learning first-hand about the region’s culture, as well as enrolling in classes that range from political science and public policy to journalism and strategic communication.

“Cross-campus learning offers a unique opportunity for students from our home campus to physically and academically explore the dynamic Middle Eastern region,” said Everette E. Dennis, dean and CEO. “Students explore and learn about media, communications, and international relations in a different context and gain a deeper understanding of the international perspective that is presented in the media industry.”

The program for the Northwestern students includes field trips, hands-on learning experiences, and a week of travel in the region. Students can also cross-register at the other American branch campus universities across Education City. The students also enroll in an interdisciplinary elective – Doha Seminar – that brings regional leaders from government, the arts, media and business to class to provide a local and regional perspective.

For this year’s students, it has also included an Arabic course at neighboring Georgetown University in Qatar and studying the social, political, and economic developments in Qatar including the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the Qatari diplomatic crisis. 

Gresik, a Medill student majoring in journalism and political science says NU-Q is the ideal location to learn about the geo-political dynamics of the region. “I am interested in foreign policy, national security, and international relations. Doha really fits at the center of those interests — between the Gulf crisis and Qatar’s outsized presence in the world,” he said. “The resources and access provided here to students at Northwestern and Education City has allowed me the unique opportunity to learn about and experience these political developments as they play out on the ground.” 

An international studies and political science student from Weinberg, Lee is following his cultural curiosity and interest in gaining a deeper understanding of U.S. foreign policy through the NU-Q Semester in Qatar program. “I hope to be involved in politics and international relations in my career, and I hope my study abroad experience gives me insight into how the United States and Qatar can strengthen their strategic partnership and continue to work together to solve problems in the region,” he said. 

Wan, a journalism and Middle East and North African studies major from Medill was most impressed with the diversity of NU-Q’s student body. “I’ve befriended students from many diverse backgrounds, which has significantly broadened my horizon and engaged me in more multicultural dialogues,” he said.

The Semester in Qatar program takes places each fall and is open to sophomore and junior students from Northwestern’s Medill School, the School of Communication, and Weinberg. Since its launch in 2014, 18 students have completed the program and several have been able to land internships and full-time jobs in Qatar.