A Washington Semester student interns at the Corcoran Gallery

Washington, D.C., and Israel, two places laden with history, are ideal locations for a two-way student exchange that takes advantage of American University's commitment to global education. Time spent in either place has the potential to profoundly affect the way students view the world and their choices for the future. Israeli students will have the chance to study in the nation's capital and participate in its life by interning in one of the organizations that are important in Washington. For many American students, a trip to Israel represents a connection with the past. Opportunities for AU students to study in Israel and participate in contemporary Israeli life will enhance this connection.

Environmental Studies During the Intersession: Water and the Middle East

Oil is the commodity that dominated twentieth-century security conflicts. In the twenty-first century, the dominant commodity will be fresh water, and nowhere is water more at the center of regional disputes than in the Middle East. Rainfall is scarce, groundwater is both scarce and expensive, and desalination is highly energy dependent on oil. Yet, in the middle of this semi-and hyper-arid region of conflict lies a spectacular desert with unique environments, plants, and animals.

For two weeks in this interdisciplinary course students study the problem of water scarcity and competing claimants, the development of societies, both ancient and modern, under conditions of water scarcity, and today's new techniques used to produce food with little water.

Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva, the capital of Negev

Based at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies at the Kibbutz Ketura in the Negev Desert, experts will lecture and participate in seminar discussions, short field trips, and a four-day field workshop. Tours will be made of Jerusalem, Masada, and the Dead Sea Basin. Students will be housed in new dormitories on Kibbutz Ketura and eat with the Kibbutz members and other students. Among the many speakers will be the likes of Dr. Noam Gressel, director, Arava Institute; Uzi Avner, archeologist and Israel antiquitites authority; Prof. Yousef Abu Maylah, Water Research Center, Al Azhar University, Gaza; Dr. Pedro Berliner, Blaustein Institute for Desert Research; and Dr. Elaine Soloway, agronomist.

Spring Semester in Jerusalem

Enjoy a full semester of study abroad in Israel at the Rothberg School of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In addition to intensive Hebrew language classes, you can choose from more than 100 topics across the spectrum of academic fields, all taught in English. And as part of the program you have the opportunities for travel and study trips.

Hebrew University

For information contact:
American University
World Capitals Program
4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016-8083
Phone 202-885-4900
Fax: 202-895-4960