The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 opened America’s eyes to anti-American sentiments in the Middle East. Many Arab Americans in turn experienced an increase in anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment at home. Only mutual understanding and cooperation can help both cultures overcome these obstacles and foster positive and productive relationships in communities across the United States and the Middle East. Academic exchanges programs help debunk the stereotypes that can lead to misguided resentment and violence.Therefore, the AMLN is working to establish academic exchange programs that would offer students in the Middle East the opportunity to study at universities, colleges and, in some cases, high schools in the United States, and would in turn offer American students the opportunity to study the Arabic language and Arab culture in the Middle East.

 

Exchange Program for Educators and Professionals

Educators and other professionals from the Middle East who wish to master new skills and learn about modern innovations in their respective fields will be given the opportunity to observe and participate in American schools, colleges and institutions where they will learn the necessary skills to rebuild, reform, and improve schools and institutions at home in their respective communities.

American educators and professionals who wish to learn about Arab culture and society will be given opportunities to travel to the Middle East and to observe and participate in the Middle Eastern counterparts to their institutions. Upon their return, educators and professionals participating in this program will have gained a different perspective that will enrich the American classrooms in which they teach. The hands-on experience in an Arab country will enable Humanities teachers to convey additional depth and context to their students’ understanding of the Middle East. They will be able to relay their personal observations which will offer American students the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of an often misunderstood region. For every teacher who is immersed in Middle Eastern culture, hundreds, perhaps thousands, of students may learn to replace fear with appreciation of the people, rich culture and history of the Arab and Muslim world.