Planning Everything from Logistics to B- Roll After ALCI was given approval to pursue filming the movie, I was tasked with all logistical preparation for and execution of our trip across the U.S. This included planning when we would travel to cities, our duration in each city, and developing a daily itinerary of interviews as well as any other professional meetings we needed to attend. SUMMER 2012: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NATALIE POPE | CENTRE COLLEGE | CLASS 2013 Qatar Foundation International: Connecting Cultures Through Education Qatar Foundation International (QFI), a D.C.- based branch of the larger Qatar Foundation, strives to “connect culture and advance global citizenship through education.” In actualizing this mission, QFI has traditionally operated active youth exchange programs for students in affiliated schools in the U.S., Brazil and Qatar. Such programs typically have a theme, such as photography (arts), the environment, and other social issues. Recent cultural exchanges included using the latest technology to map the mangroves of the students’ countries, leadership camps in Costa Rica and attending the Rio +20 Earth Summit. I, however, was hired to intern in the newest division of QFI, the Arabic Language and Culture Initiative (ALCI). ALCI offers grants to schools and institutions seeking to create, develop and enhance Arabic courses as well as providing scholarships to students seeking to attain a Master’s degree in Arabic Instruction. Even though ALCI is less developed and currently less emphasized within the organization, this branch is exciting in its growth potential, as already seen in the past year in which grants awarded more than tripled those of the previous years. 2012 Summer Options: D.C. Internship or Arabic Study Abroad While there were many options for my final summer as a Brown Fellow, I ultimately decided to intern in DC for several reasons. Many of the other options, such as Arabic study abroad programs, were tempting in the adventure and travel they offered; however I felt I would be better served professionally by an internship. After my previous summer experience at Middlebury, I already had an Arabic immersion experience on my résumé; the gaping hole was now professional development. An Internship at the Qatar Foundation International After a participating in the Washington Semester Program at American University in the fall of 2012, I had experience interning part-time (2 days a week) at a not- for-profit organization where I worked to promote commercial diplomacy. I knew the limits accompanying a part-time internship, and I needed a full-time, in-depth experience where I could truly participate and make a substantial contribution. Such an experience would provide guidance in a future career path as well as an ideal networking opportunity. Interning in D.C. would provide me first-hand experience with a career in my field of study, Middle Eastern Studies. In fact, many of my colleagues this summer had pursued similar tracks, such as degrees in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, which included travel/study in the Middle East. Updated Resume An Instable Foundation Working at such a foundation was an enlightening opportunity, as this sort of work is a viable possibility for my future, especially given the similarity of the academic paths of my coworkers and my own trajectory. Learning how to operate within a foundation - who to contact for different project ideas and how to pitch an initiative - increased my understanding of work-place hierarchies and power dynamics. What was especially interesting to learn from QFI was that, despite its flashy message and highly motivated staff, the core foundation of the organization was highly unstable. As a branch of the larger Qatar Foundation, QFI is ever at the whim of the Qatari queen, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser – and others in the Qatari royal family. For this reason, the upper figures in the organization are constantly traveling to the Middle East to network and advocate for the continuation of QFI. While QFI/ALCI has real potential to unite the Arabic community in U.S., there is the ever present danger that tomorrow all the services provided to underprivileged youth and schools across the country will be “restructured”, causing Arabic programs across the U.S. to fall through. Having learned this lesson, I will be a more savvy employee when I face similar employment opportunities. Guiding Objective: Engage in activities and initiatives geared to make QFI’s Arabic Language and Culture Initiative the unifying power of the Arabic Instruction Community in the U.S. Currently, the Arabic language instruction community in the U.S. is not only young but disconnected. Arabic programs and teachers have limited resources for professional development or access to the resources that others are innovating. There is a need for a central voice to cultivate self-awareness and a sense of unified community in the country; this is the role QFI intends to fulfill in the coming years. The majority of my project centered around exploring ways to develop this in the U.S. Key Initiatives: Analyze Asia Society Promotional/Informational Video •The Asia Society promotional/informational video impressed upon the viewer the immediacy of learning the beautiful Chinese language due to its great character building and career enhancing potential. I was responsible for brainstorming how QFI could create a video akin to this in function and message, only improved for our particular stakeholders. This project would turn into a two-and- one-half week trip across the U.S. collecting footage for this film. (refer to ‘The Documentary’ section) Arabic Program Survey •ALCI hopes to create the first database and holistic understanding of the exact nature of Arabic instruction in the U.S. – such self awareness is entirely absent in the Arabic community except for a few of its leading figures. This information not only helps us to tailor our offerings to best address the needs of the schools, but also to develop a service to connect schools. In serving as a national clearing house, ALCI could facilitate the sharing of teaching techniques/materials, help place teachers in under-advantaged school districts, in addition to providing funding for all of these endeavors. It is this leading role that ALCI is positioned to fill and is currently making confident strides towards fulfilling. I was in charge of compiling a list of all public and charter schools in the US that offer Arabic programs; from this list, we singled out the 33 schools currently affiliated with QFI to call for a more directed survey. I spoke with principals and lead professors from Portland, OR; New Orleans, LA and schools in New England in order to find create a holistic, representative sample of what an Arabic instruction community looks like in the U.S. Availability of teachers, effective and culturally relevant curriculum and funding emerged as the key issues facing the programs to date. Coding Survey Data •After recording responses for nearly all of the QFI affiliated Arabic programs, I was responsible for coding the data to be used for future analysis. This process involved sifting through all the responses to find patterns. Each pattern was assigned a number, thereby turning every answer into a number. While my internship period came to an end before I was then able to analyze this data, the progress I made makes this projected poised for the next person to finalize with ease. Orchestration of ALIC Informational Documentary •Refer to ‘The Documentary’ Section I participated in an Arabic course at the Middle East Institute. Grade: A Washington D.C. is a transitional city, filled with history, energy and opportunities. I made the most of the city by networking and attending lectures series, including a bi-monthly discussion group for young professionals. Additionally, I was able to network with Centre alumni, who are now friends, mentors and valuable future connections. Preparing to attend national autism awareness rally The ReThink Institute: attending a lecture on the status of the Syrian Revolution QFI Summer Interns Los Angeles Portland Chicago Telling the American Arabic Narrative In crossing the country telling America’s Arabic Narrative, I learned that Arabic is not a language one learns to connect to the Middle East better, but that it is truly an American language. From creating cultural empathy in ethnic-conflict ridden Lebanese/Latino communities in California, to opening new possibilities to south Chicagoan youth, Arabic is more than simply an academic study. It’s truly a part of the American story. Additionally, I forged valuable connections with professors and admissions personnel at the University of Chicago’s Middle Eastern Studies Center and DePaul University. It was at the University of Chicago that I realized I intend to pursue a Master’s/PhD track in Islamic Art History after graduation. ALCI’s Arabic Road Trip For 2 ½ weeks, ALCI traveled from D.C. to Seattle, Portland, Oakland, Los Angeles and Chicago collecting interview footage for the creation of a video testifying to the benefits of learning Arabic. We crossed the country interviewing students, parents, professors, teachers, business/religious community leaders and principals. By collecting a diverse array of “Arabic narratives,” ALCI is shaping the story of Arabic instruction in the U.S. Collecting B-Roll: A replica of the Dome of the Rock in the suburbs of Chicago A key part of producing this film was the collection of “B-roll.” This essentially is background footage; rather than only showing the face of the person being interviewed, the video cuts away to images relating to the subject being addressed by the speaker, whether a shot of a classroom, students in class, an office name badge on a desk, a city skyline, or a speakers hands. Interviewing students of Arabic language in Portland , OR A Life After Brown and Centre After three years with the Brown Foundation, my academic career has progressed in a way I never imaged; when entering school, hardly did I think I would now be poised to graduate Centre with dual degrees in Middle Eastern Studies and Religion, accompanied by a deep passion for the Arabic language. Since Middle Eastern Studies is not offered at Centre, this academic pursuit was both ignited and made possible by the Brown Foundation – through both study abroad in Turkey and then language study the following summers. I enter the world as a more competent, well-traveled, self-aware individual than I ever imagined, with a network of personal and professional connections spanning the globe and dreams and goals no less limited. Coming out of this summer experience, I have gained not only insight into the nature of a DC career relating to Middle Eastern Studies – a path that includes office-wide “Arabic Music Fridays” – but also potential career instability relating to regional political issues. Knowledge of the overall lifestyle and work environment of a Middle Eastern focused organization in D.C. will enable me to make future career decisions with a clear understanding of what this would entail. For now, my summer in D.C. has given me great recommendation connections – several of whom I am utilizing for post-grad academic and scholarship applications as I prepare for grad school in Islamic Art History. Middlebury 2011 Turkey 2010 Washington D.C. 2012 Panama 2009 Seattle
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Planning Everything from Logistics to B-Roll
After ALCI was given approval to pursue filming the movie, I was tasked with all logistical preparation for and execution of our trip across the U.S. This included planning when we would travel to cities, our duration in each city, and developing a daily itinerary of interviews as well as any other professional meetings we needed to attend.
SUMMER 2012: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NATALIE POPE | CENTRE COLLEGE | CLASS 2013
Qatar Foundation International: Connecting Cultures Through Education
Qatar Foundation International (QFI), a D.C.- based branch of the larger Qatar Foundation, strives to “connect culture and advance global citizenship through education.” In actualizing this mission, QFI has traditionally operated active youth exchange programs for students in affiliated schools in the U.S., Brazil and Qatar. Such programs typically have a theme, such as photography (arts), the environment, and other social issues. Recent cultural exchanges included using the latest technology to map the mangroves of the students’ countries, leadership camps in Costa Rica and attending the Rio +20 Earth Summit.
I, however, was hired to intern in the newest division of QFI, the Arabic Language and Culture Initiative (ALCI). ALCI offers grants to schools and institutions seeking to create, develop and enhance Arabic courses as well as providing scholarships to students seeking to attain a Master’s degree in Arabic Instruction. Even though ALCI is less developed and currently less emphasized within the organization, this branch is exciting in its growth potential, as already seen in the past year in which grants awarded more than tripled those of the previous years.
2012 Summer Options: D.C. Internship or Arabic Study Abroad
While there were many options for my final summer as a Brown Fellow, I ultimately decided to intern in DC for several reasons. Many of the other options, such as Arabic study abroad programs, were tempting in the adventure and travel they offered; however I felt I would be better served professionally by an internship. After my previous summer experience at Middlebury, I already had an Arabic immersion experience on my résumé; the gaping hole was now professional development.
An Internship at the Qatar Foundation International
After a participating in the Washington Semester Program at American University in the fall of 2012, I had experience interning part-time (2 days a week) at a not-for-profit organization where I worked to promote commercial diplomacy. I knew the limits accompanying a part-time internship, and I needed a full-time, in-depth experience where I could truly participate and make a substantial contribution. Such an experience would provide guidance in a future career path as well as an ideal networking opportunity. Interning in D.C. would provide me first-hand experience with a career in my field of study, Middle Eastern Studies. In fact, many of my colleagues this summer had pursued similar tracks, such as degrees in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, which included travel/study in the Middle East.
Updated Resume
An Instable Foundation
Working at such a foundation was an enlightening opportunity, as this sort of work is a viable possibility for my future, especially given the similarity of the academic paths of my coworkers and my own trajectory. Learning how to operate within a foundation - who to contact for different project ideas and how to pitch an initiative - increased my understanding of work-place hierarchies and power dynamics. What was especially interesting to learn from QFI was that, despite its flashy message and highly motivated staff, the core foundation of the organization was highly unstable. As a branch of the larger Qatar Foundation, QFI is ever at the whim of the Qatari queen, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser – and others in the Qatari royal family. For this reason, the upper figures in the organization are constantly traveling to the Middle East to network and advocate for the continuation of QFI. While QFI/ALCI has real potential to unite the Arabic community in U.S., there is the ever present danger that tomorrow all the services provided to underprivileged youth and schools across the country will be “restructured”, causing Arabic programs across the U.S. to fall through. Having learned this lesson, I will be a more savvy employee when I face similar employment opportunities.
Guiding Objective: Engage in activities and initiatives geared to make QFI’s Arabic Language and Culture Initiative the unifying power of the Arabic Instruction Community in the U.S.
Currently, the Arabic language instruction community in the U.S. is not only young but disconnected. Arabic programs and teachers have limited resources for professional development or access to the resources that others are innovating. There is a need for a central voice to cultivate self-awareness and a sense of unified community in the country; this is the role QFI intends to fulfill in the coming years. The majority of my project centered around exploring ways to develop this in the U.S.
Key Initiatives:
Analyze Asia Society Promotional/Informational Video • The Asia Society promotional/informational video impressed upon the viewer the immediacy of learning the beautiful Chinese language due to its great character building and career enhancing potential. I was responsible for brainstorming how QFI could create a video akin to this in function and message, only improved for our particular stakeholders. This project would turn into a two-and- one-half week trip across the U.S. collecting footage for this film. (refer to ‘The Documentary’ section)
Arabic Program Survey • ALCI hopes to create the first database and holistic understanding of the exact nature of Arabic instruction in the U.S. – such self awareness is entirely absent in the Arabic community except for a few of its leading figures. This information not only helps us to tailor our offerings to best address the needs of the schools, but also to develop a service to connect schools. In serving as a national clearing house, ALCI could facilitate the sharing of teaching techniques/materials, help place teachers in under-advantaged school districts, in addition to providing funding for all of these endeavors. It is this leading role that ALCI is positioned to fill and is currently making confident strides towards fulfilling. I was in charge of compiling a list of all public and charter schools in the US that offer Arabic programs; from this list, we singled out the 33 schools currently affiliated with QFI to call for a more directed survey. I spoke with principals and lead professors from Portland, OR; New Orleans, LA and schools in New England in order to find create a holistic, representative sample of what an Arabic instruction community looks like in the U.S. Availability of teachers, effective and culturally relevant curriculum and funding emerged as the key issues facing the programs to date.
Coding Survey Data • After recording responses for nearly all of the QFI affiliated Arabic programs, I was responsible for coding the data to be used for future analysis. This process involved sifting through all the responses to find patterns. Each pattern was assigned a number, thereby turning every answer into a number. While my internship period came to an end before I was then able to analyze this data, the progress I made makes this projected poised for the next person to finalize with ease.
Orchestration of ALIC Informational Documentary • Refer to ‘The Documentary’ Section
I participated in an Arabic course at the Middle East Institute. Grade: A
Washington D.C. is a transitional city, filled with history, energy and opportunities. I made the most of the city by networking and attending lectures series, including a bi-monthly discussion group for young professionals. Additionally, I was able to network with Centre alumni, who are now friends, mentors and valuable future connections.
Preparing to attend national autism awareness rally
The ReThink Institute: attending a lecture on
the status of the Syrian Revolution
QFI Summer Interns
Los Angeles
Portland
Chicago
Telling the American Arabic Narrative
In crossing the country telling America’s Arabic Narrative, I learned that Arabic is not a language one learns to connect to the Middle East better, but that it is truly an American language. From creating cultural empathy in ethnic-conflict ridden Lebanese/Latino communities in California, to opening new possibilities to south Chicagoan youth, Arabic is more than simply an academic study. It’s truly a part of the American story.
Additionally, I forged valuable connections with professors and admissions personnel at the University of Chicago’s Middle Eastern Studies Center and DePaul University. It was at the University of Chicago that I realized I intend to pursue a Master’s/PhD track in Islamic Art History after graduation.
ALCI’s Arabic Road Trip
For 2 ½ weeks, ALCI traveled from D.C. to Seattle, Portland, Oakland, Los Angeles and Chicago collecting interview footage for the creation of a video testifying to the benefits of learning Arabic. We crossed the country interviewing students, parents, professors, teachers, business/religious community leaders and principals. By collecting a diverse array of “Arabic narratives,” ALCI is shaping the story of Arabic instruction in the U.S.
Collecting B-Roll: A replica of the Dome of the Rock in the suburbs of Chicago
A key part of producing this film was the collection of “B-roll.” This essentially is background footage; rather than only showing the face of the person being interviewed, the video cuts away to images relating to the subject being addressed by the speaker, whether a shot of a classroom, students in class, an office name badge on a desk, a city skyline, or a speakers hands.
Interviewing students of Arabic language in Portland , OR
A Life After Brown and Centre
After three years with the Brown Foundation, my academic career has progressed in a way I never imaged; when entering school, hardly did I think I would now be poised to graduate Centre with dual degrees in Middle Eastern Studies and Religion, accompanied by a deep passion for the Arabic language. Since Middle Eastern Studies is not offered at Centre, this academic pursuit was both ignited and made possible by the Brown Foundation – through both study abroad in Turkey and then language study the following summers. I enter the world as a more competent, well-traveled, self-aware individual than I ever imagined, with a network of personal and professional connections spanning the globe and dreams and goals no less limited.
Coming out of this summer experience, I have gained not only insight into the nature of a DC career relating to Middle Eastern Studies – a path that includes office-wide “Arabic Music Fridays” – but also potential career instability relating to regional political issues. Knowledge of the overall lifestyle and work environment of a Middle Eastern focused organization in D.C. will enable me to make future career decisions with a clear understanding of what this would entail. For now, my summer in D.C. has given me great recommendation connections – several of whom I am utilizing for post-grad academic and scholarship applications as I prepare for grad school in Islamic Art History.
Middlebury 2011
Turkey 2010
Washington D.C. 2012
Panama 2009
Seattle
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