Description

The Fertile Crescent: A historically rich tapestry of vibrant cultures and dramatic landscapes situated within the modern context of profound political, cultural and spiritual change. Journeying through Jordan, Egypt and Israel, students live with rural and urban home-stay families, meet with spiritual leaders, NGOs and academics, and engage in intensive language study. Exploring the confluence between old and new, the hospitality and depth of a spiritual heritage, and the complexities of modernization, students will examine current political trends, social movements and environmental conservation efforts in the deserts, villages, rivers and seas of these countries.

Our journey together begins in the deserts of southern Jordan, as we spend our first week of orientation on the edge of the Wadi Rum Protected Nature Reserve, interacting with the local Bedouin population, many of whom still live nomadically, and whose traditions are considered by many to represent the roots of Arab culture. From Wadi Rum, we head to the nearby port city of Aqaba, where students begin their first set of home-stays and service placements at various local NGOs. Our time in southern Jordan allows us to explore issues of social and environmental development related to water management, the tourism industry and religious practice.

From Aqaba, we travel via northern Jordan to Jerusalem, where we trace the city's spiritual and religious heritage. We then cross into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula for a visit to St. Katherine's Monastery and an ascent to Mt. Sinai. Continuing across the northern Mediterranean coast toward the desert oasis of Siwa, we observe first hand how rapid modernization has impacted this isolated refuge. From Siwa, we travel through the Western desert to Luxor, in the heart of Saeed, and onto the High Dam at Aswan, where we spend time experiencing the Nubian flavor of the far south. As our time together comes to a close, we retrace our steps through the Sinai Peninsula and cross back into Jordan, where we return to our beginnings in the deserts of Wadi Rum. There we collect our experiences, reflecting upon issues of modernization and development in this critical and charged region of the contemporary world.

Highlights

Dragons Middle East: Fertile Crescent Semester Abroad explores the complex interplay of landscape & culture, ancient & contemporary, spirit & politics in Jordan and beyond.

Travel Types

• 4th World Studies
• Camping
• Cooking
• Environmental Studies
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Language Immersion
• Native Culture Studies
• Overland Tours
• Nature Tours
• Volunteering
• Trekking

Languages

• Arabic

Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching

• English

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

11,600 USD

Cost Includes:

• Travel while in host country
• Housing
• Food
• Excursions
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials pre-departure
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

Tuition includes everything except international flight medical insurance and small personal expenses (personal calls home personal snacks aside from meals laundry services, email/internet cafes, etc.)

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

American, European, Canadian, Australian, South African, Kiwi, Worldwide and Asian Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Written Application
• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Where There Be Dragons's Mission Statement

Dragons programs are authentic, rugged and profound learning adventures that expose the beautiful and complex realities of the countries in which we travel. Featuring extended itineraries, Dragons programs encourage deep immersion into strikingly different physical and cultural landscapes, combining the best in experiential education, travel, service learning, and physically and intellectually challenging experiences. While programs vary in their focus - with some trekking and wilderness intensive, others strong on service and development studies, and still others language-oriented - all Dragons journeys are designed above all else to be fun, safe and honest educational experiences.

Year Founded

1993