BYU students build bridges of understanding and friendship in the Middle East.

As a result of unrest in the Holy Land, 21 students who were supposed to study Arabic in Jerusalem in January 2001, had the opportunity to dispel stereotypes and gain a greater understanding of the Arabic people by spending Winter Semester 2001 in Syria, Belnap said.

During Spring term, most of the group went on to study in Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and Spain, Belnap said.

"People have little exposure to Americans. Most of their perception of the United States is based on what they have seen in movies and TV shows," said Kyler O' Malley Kronmiller, 2001 graduate of international studies, from Springville, Utah County.

Many Syrians were surprised to find a group of young Americans who followed as strict a moral code as many Muslims follow, Kronmiller said.

BYU students also learned a great deal about the Syrian people.

"The Syrians are unbelievably hospitable. Many of our friends would invite us into their home. It absolutely put me to shame," said Michelle Wagner, 21, a senior from Longview, Wash., majoring in Near Eastern studies. "Their generosity knows no bounds, and they would put themselves in the poorhouse, if they weren't already there, to provide for you."

The Syrians were also interested to discover the lifestyle of Americans.

"Citizens of the United States are rather uncommon in Syria. Many Syrians were very curious about us, our country and our religion," said Laura Ostler, 21, a senior from Concord, New Hampshire, majoring in Near Eastern Studies

Everywhere students went, Syrians began to recognize them and do regular features of the students on TV, radio and newspapers, Belnap said.

He noted that most Arabs believe that Arabic is the hardest language in the world. As a result, people were touched to see Americans, whose language most of the world is trying to learn, working so hard to learn Arabic.

During a visit to watch the Syrian Parliament in session, a discussion about copyright laws was temporarily halted to

extend an official welcome to the students, Belnap said.

While in Cairo, students visited the Arab League Headquarters and met with the assistant to the Secretary General, a senior diplomat for a visit. The senior diplomat cancelled another meeting he had to visit with BYU students for an extended amount of time, Belnap said.

The senior diplomat continually mentioned his surprise at the students' proficiency in Arabic, their familiarity with Arab culture and also their concern for peace. He stressed that such contacts are critical to international understanding, Belnap said.

Students also shed light by volunteering at a school for mentally handicapped children.

"Their smiles and hugs every time we came is something that I will never forget," said Jason Smith, 23 a senior attending Lewis and Clark College from Portland, Ore.

Students were able to attend this program through an exchange agreement between BYU and the University of Damascus, Belnap said.

Prior to the trip, students had completed at least three semesters of Arabic. Once in Syria, students took a 15-16 hour credit load, said Staci Sharp, associate program director.

Developing fluency in the language was really tough, but it could not have happened without being immersed in it, said Nina Erickson, 22, from Burke Va., majoring in international studies.

"The people were so kind to me and I made so many good friends that I couldn't help but want to understand their culture more. In fact, I'm heading off to my master's in Near Eastern History next year because of this experience," Ostler said.

The Study Abroad program allowed students to learn Arabic in a way that they could not have learned it in a classroom setting, said Anne Stewart, 24, a 2001 graduate of linguistics from San Jose, Calif.

"The entire point of learning a living foreign language is to communicate and explore. The completion of a course is not the end," Stewart said. "It is when you use your linguistic skills as a vehicle to enter into a different culture and forge relationships with people that you really understand the purpose of studying a living language."

Ostler said the program had such an impact on her life that she has chosen to earn a master's degree in Near Eastern History and is planning on going on for a Ph.D.

"The people were so kind to me, and I made so many good friends that I couldn't help but want to understand their culture more," Ostler said.

Ostler and others have found that their study abroad opportunity and linguistic skills have opened doors for jobs or study and funding at top graduate schools.

Students who would like to participate in the 2004 Arabic Study Abroad program can begin by taking Arabic 101 or 102 during Summer or Fall Semester 2003, Belnap said.

Due to unrest in the Middle East there will be an on-campus intensive program during Summer term. Many students will live with Arab BYU students to give them more of an immersion experience, Belnap said.

" I'm convinced the greater number of people that educate themselves on the Middle East, even if they do not have the opportunity to visit, the better off we will all be," Stewart said.

Copyright Brigham Young University 28 Mar 2002