Last semester eight Iona students received the opportunity to experience life and culture in the Middle East. No, they did not spend the semester studying abroad. Their experience could be seen as even better. While a study abroad experience would allow them to see the cultural landmarks of the Middle East, the students became immersed in the political and social culture of the Middle East though the Connect Program.
Brought to Iona by Chair of Political Science and Director of International Studies Tricia Mulligan, and supported by Interim Provost Brian Nickerson, the Connect Program gives students the opportunity to discuss issues, such as religion in politics, with students from the West and the Middle East. Soliya, a Cairo-based organization, sponsors the Connect Program and both look to create dialogue between the West and Muslim societies.
Mulligan first learned about the Connect Program in December 2010. After interviewing, Iona was placed on the waiting list for Spring 2012, but at the beginning of Fall 2011, Mulligan received a phone call asking if Iona could get the program up and running in two weeks. Through the help of Provost Nickerson, Information Technology and NatalkaSawchuk of the Iona Libraries, Iona met this deadline, making Iona one of the lucky 15 colleges and universities to participate in the fall.
While this was a great experience for Iona, Mulligan was initially “hopeful but not confident” about Iona being chosen. This is due to the nature of the majority of the other colleges and universities chosen. Other partner schools of the Connect Program include major universities such as George Washington University, Yale and Georgetown.
The eight students selected for the Connect Program are Political Science and International Studies majors. For Iona’s first Soliya Connect Program, Timothy Cahill, James Hurley, Ryan Bacci, Kristen Mozzochi, Annmarie Stepancic, Chrisanne Karcich, Ashley Scully and Caroline Ziccardi were chosen.
When asked about the program, James Hurley said, “The discourse I have engaged in on issues ranging from Israeli statehood, to women’s role in society with my peers from around the world, although we sometimes disagreed, has created a lasting bond between us.”
Since the program focused on the Middle East, the Political Science Department developed a course to coincide with the Connect Program. Entitled “The West and the Muslim World,” the course assigned readings and papers focusing on the important topics concerning the West and the Muslim World. These assignments aimed to prepare students for the discussions that would arise and the knowledge needed to interact with their counterparts from around the world.
It forced the students to think and re-evaluate their opinions when confronted with opposing views, especially from those living in the Middle East.
Sophomore Ryan Bacci said, “I had never been forced to evaluate America based on the opinions of people actually speaking to me and delivering their opinions to me themselves.”
In one of her discussions concerning the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Annmarie Stepancic “learned that the fears and concerns [she] heard expressed by the media and scholarly sources did not comply with the emerging democratic political culture among Egyptians.” This dialogue is not frequently seen and Stepancic points out that it is something that needs to occur more in Western society order for a deeper understanding of the world.
Overall, Mulligan was impressed by the success of Iona’s first Connect Program. The students were dedicated and made sacrifices to be part of this opportunity, including meeting at 6 a.m. Seeing it as a testament to their dedication, Mulligan said, “Several Iona students have been invited to serve as facilitators for other Soliya sessions in the future.”
Currently, she and others are working to find the program a permanent place on Iona’s academic calendar.
