Day 3: November 19th
Visit to the Syrian Mission to the UN; a meeting with Columbia University students; the Rutgers University Multi-cultural Fest
The Syrian Mission in NYC
After breakfast, our delegation was shuttled to the New Jersey PATH train and they traveled into New York City for the first time! After arriving in lower Manhattan, our travelers climbed aboard a crowded New York City subway car and headed uptown to 42nd street, and over to the east side where all of the international embassies to the United Nations are located. After walking down 42nd street to 2nd avenue, our delegation arrived at the Syrian Mission to the United Nations and was greeted by the Syrian Ambassador and the Deputy Ambassador. The Ambassador and his staff were delighted to host our delegation for over an hour, and were very interested in learning what our travelers thought of their visit thus far. The participants related their experiences over the past few days, and expressed their excitement and interest in exploring New York City further!
Columbia University
After lunch and a tour of Grand Central Station, the delegation hopped aboard the subway once again and headed further uptown to Columbia University. They arrived at the International Affairs building and took the elevator to a conference room that overlooked downtown Manhattan in a stunning panoramic view, and were greeted by event coordinator and Columbia student, Heidi Rosbe. Together with fellow student, Nora Gordon, Heidi offered the accommodations of SEPA and the Arab Student Union at Columbia to host a dialogue question-and-answer session between our delegation and attending Columbia students. The event was a phenomenal success: after introductions, attending students asked extremely thought-provoking and pertinent questions of our delegation. An Israeli Columbia student brought up the issue of what is expected in a potential resolution for the Golan Heights, and the discussion quickly evolved into an interesting debate about what Syrians and Israelis require for peace and resolution. A Columbia student from Columbia Teachers College inquired into the rights of women in Syria and others were interested in their thoughts of the recent election in the United States. Our delegation also asked questions of the audience, inquiring into their political involvement and worldview of the Middle East. After the formal sit-down question-and-answer session, Columbia students mingled with our delegation and talked with them on a one-on-one basis, exchanging emails and contact information. The only regret of everyone involved was that it did not last longer!
Multi-Cultural Fest at Rutgers
After a subway trip downtown and a PATH train ride back to New Jersey, the delegation finally arrived back on the Rutgers campus for the Multi-cultural Fest hosted at Robeson Hall. Good food, conversation with faculty and students and a complete multi-cultural experience awaited our arriving travelers, allowing them to immerse themselves in the full ethnic diversity that the Rutgers campus represents. Since Rutgers University was rated the top ethnically diverse campus in the United States, it is easy to see how important an event like this is to the student body, and our delegation got the chance be a part of it as welcomed guests of honor!
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