President John DeGioia gave a long-distance welcome to the newest class in the School of Foreign Service on Saturday.
The 26 students of the Qatar campus’ first incoming class hail from Bangladesh to the Philippines, as well as parts of the Middle East.
Associate Professor of Government Charles King, in Doha last week, said students there share a desire to learn with their American counterparts despite superficial differences.
“One is unmistakably in an Islamic country. Several of the female students are covered, although there was only one male student in traditional dress,” King said. “But lots of other things are similar: The students were bright, lively and excited about being part of this new educational adventure.”
The campus in Doha is centered just outside of Education City, which also houses satellite campuses from several other American universities.
“The SFS-Q is something we are building for the people of Qatar and the Middle East, for ourselves and for the ongoing dialogue between our separate but intertwining worlds,” Qatar campus Dean Jean Reardon-Anderson said.
