Three students from Northwestern University’s Evanston campus have begun an immersive academic experience focused on the Global South at Northwestern Qatar as part of the Semester in Qatar (SiQ) program, an intercampus initiative that builds on community ties between both campuses and cultivates a global community of learners focused on the Global South.
Each year, students from Evanston have the opportunity to study at Northwestern Qatar, sharing classrooms with their Qatar peers and contributing to a truly global community. This fall, Hana Dedic, a junior from the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences, Simone Garber, a junior from the Medill School of Journalism, and Zhizhong (John) Xu, a Medill junior, are participating in the program.
Dedic’s interest in global political dynamics and economics motivated her to apply for the Semester in Qatar program, recognizing it as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of these issues from an international perspective. As a politics and economics major, she is taking advantage of the academic diversity within Education City. In addition to her coursework at Northwestern Qatar, she has cross-registered at Georgetown University in Qatar, where she is taking courses examining the region’s political and economic dynamics.
Encouraged by her parents to explore this experience, Dedic says she values the sense of community she has found in Doha. “What I've found here is more than just a new place to study,” she noted. “It’s a community that values dialogue and learning from one another. This environment has allowed me to learn from my professors and peers, who offer diverse perspectives. It has helped me recognize the connections between our campuses and the broader world, particularly in times when understanding across borders is crucial.”
Garber was inspired to join the program to explore the Middle East—a region she had not previously visited. Since arriving in Doha, she has traveled to Saudi Arabia and Oman, further deepening her understanding of the area's history and evolving culture. “What’s most striking is how quickly I’ve felt part of the community here,” Garber shared. “The smaller campus size compared to Evanston has made it easier to build meaningful relationships with students and faculty, and I’ve come to see Doha as a home away from home. The connections I’ve made here will last far beyond this semester.”
“This program capitalizes on our position as a globally embedded institution within the Qatar Foundation’s Education City. It enhances our tri-campus model, allowing students to immerse themselves in an academic experience focused on the Global South. More than just academic enrichment, the program cultivates lasting connections and nurtures a spirit of global citizenship among our students.”
Similarly, Xu is embracing the opportunity to connect with the community in Doha. As a double major in journalism and psychology with a minor in film and media studies, he is particularly interested in exploring how storytelling varies across cultural contexts. “Being here has made me appreciate the power of storytelling even more,” John remarked. “NU-Q is a place where students from all backgrounds come together, and I’ve had countless conversations that have challenged my assumptions and broadened my perspective. The sense of community here is incredibly strong, and it’s been amazing to be part of a network that connects Evanston and Doha so closely.”
These students are also deepening their understanding of Doha and the wider region through the Doha Seminar, an upper-level seminar co-taught with Georgetown University in Qatar. It examines contemporary Arab thought and the interplay between modernity and tradition in Qatar, allowing exchange students and students from both universities to engage critically and collaborate on projects that bridge their diverse experiences.
While in Qatar, the students also participated in the Global Media Experience (GME), which includes a trip to Riyadh to explore the region's evolving media landscape. This experience provided them with opportunities to meet industry professionals and gain insights into the media practices that shape the Gulf region.
“The Semester in Qatar program has evolved to become a cornerstone of our intercampus exchange, providing students with an opportunity to engage with the cultures, histories, and media landscapes of the Global South,” said Maria Lombard, assistant dean for academic affairs at Northwestern Qatar. “Our goal is to create a cohesive learning experience that bridges the unique strengths of our Evanston and Doha campuses, furthering a shared community that transcends geographic boundaries.”
Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar, added, “This program capitalizes on our position as a globally embedded institution within the Qatar Foundation’s Education City. It enhances our tri-campus model, allowing students to immerse themselves in an academic experience focused on the Global South. More than just academic enrichment, the program cultivates lasting connections and nurtures a spirit of global citizenship among our students.”
Students from Qatar also have similar opportunities to study in Evanston through the Communication Exchange Program, which allows third-year Communication students to spend the winter and spring quarters at the Evanston campus.
Through the Semester in Qatar program, the Communication Exchange Program, and other intercampus exchange programs, Northwestern University is nurturing a global community of learners prepared to engage with the pressing issues of our time and contribute to a deeper understanding of the world.
