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during the following Fellowship Year ( in this case , 2015 ).
“ They really take their knowledge to the next level ,” explains Hilbrand , who went on the trip to Doha . “ They go to the country , meet a lot of people in different walks of life in civil society . They break down a lot of stereotypes they might have had , and then come home to talk about it . It ’ s priceless .”
A Springboard
Gabriella Chamberland , who just graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg , South Carolina , is typical in saying the study visit was “ an amazing experience and opportunity to see another culture , and go to places [ like ]… the National Human Rights Committee , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . That ’ s a lot of access a 21-year-old would never get otherwise !”
“ I found the people to be warm and hospitable and willing to engage in discussion about complex issues ”
Syed Bilal Ali , Sophomore at McDaniel College
Chamberland is interested in women ’ s issues and was fascinated by the variety in dress she saw in the ultra-modern city — some women were walking around in abayas , traditional long cloaks ; others were jogging in shorts by the sea . And she was impressed with the number and proportion of female students working towards university degrees in Education City [ see page 21 ].
“ It was absolutely incredible , intellectually , culturally , travel-wise . It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life — and definitely a springboard for a whole bunch of career opportunities .”
Surprised by the Openness
All the students were overwhelmed by the hospitality they encountered — and surprised by the openness .
“ There ’ s a lot of negativity about the Middle East in the U . S .,” says Syed Bilal Ali , a sophomore at McDaniel College in Wellington , Maryland . “ It ’ s really not the way it is portrayed in the news … I found the people to be warm and hospitable and willing to engage in discussion about complex issues , even on topics where we may disagree .”
“ Qatar has a unique intellectual atmosphere ,” says Hilbrand . “ The Doha Debates , the Doha Forum [ see box Page 31 ]: it ’ s the one place in the Arab world where a lot of discussions are always taking place , conversations are occurring , intellectuals are gathering . There ’ s more openness , not just in social behaviors but also in the atmosphere of the intellectual community : it ’ s very open , down to earth , it has its own special , unique charm .”
Emily Bless , an international affairs major at Mercer University in Macon , Georgia , says that even the government officials they met were open about discussing U . S .– Qatar relations . “ They told us what Americans didn ’ t understand about Qatar , and the Arab world in general ,” she says . “ They were very open about things like Israeli- Palestinian relations , and our need to put that into focus , so that we understand where the Arab world is coming from .
“ They were very frank and direct , not like politicians at all !” she says with a laugh .
Souks and Sand Dunes
Two highlights of the trip were a visit to the old souk and a day in the desert . “ The souk is an old-style market ,” Ali explains . “ People have all their goods placed outside their store , and you can bargain , get a good price .” It was a fun place to unwind , meet some local people , and buy souvenirs . Chamberland bought some traditional clothing , including scarves , a hijab and several traditional abayas , one decorated with gold and embroidery .
Both Shaefer and Ali enjoyed trying to speak Arabic at the souk . “ The locals loved it when I said Ana adros Arabi [ I am learning Arabic ],” he says . “ They always answered Masha ’ Allah ! [ God has willed it !] …
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