Tribune News Network
Doha
Students from Texas A&M University’s flagship campus in College Station, Texas (USA), learned about life in Qatar during various study abroad opportunities offered by Texas A&M at Qatar, a Qatar Foundation partner university.
During the visits, the students met with Doha-based students and faculty, participated in cultural experiences and visited various industry sites throughout the country.
In December, 14 students from the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences participated in a study abroad programme that brought them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Texas A&M group from the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences worked volunteer shifts at the FIFA Fan Festival, helping out in specific zones of the festival, including the lost and found booth, accessibility towers, around the main stage and screens, and food and beverage outlets.
Bradley Burroughs, programme coordinator in the First-Year Experience Office for Student Success at Texas A&M and a doctoral student, station, said: "Spending time in Qatar during the World Cup was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was thoroughly surprised with how beautiful the area is and how intentional the people were to ensure we are making the most of our time here. It really has been an incredible opportunity to see this part of the world, and it has been an experience I will cherish forever.”
In January, eight students from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M also visited Qatar as a part of a faculty-led Study Abroad programme. They visited several agricultural companies to gain a better understanding of the farming techniques and practices used in this part of the world.
Niko Nemanic, an agricultural economics student, said: "My time in Qatar was incredible. Every day was a new cultural experience. Some of my favourite activities were going to the desert, visiting a mosque and learning about various businesses in Qatar.
"This allowed me to grasp a deeper understanding of the Middle East, and my perspective of the Middle East has changed almost entirely. This trip has allowed me to better understand the history, culture and business of the Middle East and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to expand their cultural relativism.”
German Vega Gonzalez, who is pursuing an undergraduate degree with the Department of Communication on the College Station campus, completed an internship with the communications team at Texas A&M at Qatar during the fall semester.
As a communications major, he was also able to cross-register and complete a course at Northwestern University in Qatar, as it is a part of the QF multiversity.
He said, "If I had to summarise my experience in Qatar in one word, it would be unexpected.’ After living it firsthand, I can honestly say that it was one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. Not only was I able to surround myself with people from different cultures who welcomed me into their country, but I came back to the United States more open-minded, relating to global issues with different perspectives in mind.”
Dr César Octavio Malavé, dean of Texas A&M at Qatar, said that he aims to bring around 200 students from various disciplines at the College Station campus to Doha over the course of the academic year.
"Student mobility and international exchanges are crucial for developing a broad worldview and international awareness,” Malavé said.
Recently, undergraduate students from Texas A&M at Qatar travelled to College Station for a study abroad programme as part of their intercultural communications course, where they explored and analysed the different elements for communications at several of the group stage matches of the FIFA World Cup 2022.