Students from Texas A&M University’s flagship campus in College Station, Texas (US), learned about life in Qatar during various study abroad opportunities offered by Texas A&M at Qatar (Tamuq), a Qatar Foundation partner.
The delegation met with Doha-based students and faculty, participated in cultural experiences and visited various industry sites throughout the country.
It was in December that 14 students from the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences participated in a study abroad programme that brought them to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The Texas A&M group from the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences worked volunteer shifts at the FIFA Fan Festival, helping out in specific zones of the festival including the lost and found booth, accessibility towers, around the main stage and screens, and food and beverage outlets.
Bradley Burroughs, programme co-ordinator in the First-Year Experience Office for Student Success at Texas A&M and a doctoral student, said: “Spending time in Qatar during the World Cup was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was thoroughly surprised with how beautiful the area is and how intentional the people were to ensure we are making the most of our time here. It really has been an incredible opportunity to see this part of the world, and it has been an experience I will cherish forever.”
Earlier this month, eight students from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M also visited Qatar as a part of a faculty-led Study Abroad programme. They visited several agricultural companies to gain a better understanding of the farming techniques and practices used in this part of the world.
Dr Cesar Octavio Malave, dean of Tamuq, said that he aims to bring around 200 students from various disciplines at the College Station campus to Doha over the course of the academic year.
“Student mobility and international exchanges are crucial for developing a broad worldview and international awareness,” Dr Malave said. “These trips allow our College Station students an opportunity to get a first-hand knowledge about life in Qatar. Through this experience, they are able to meet with the local community, and participate in cultural experiences, which allows them to get a better perspective and to discard misconceptions about the region.”
Students studying at the Doha campus also participate in various study abroad, research and exchange opportunities throughout the academic year. Recently, undergraduate students from Tamuq travelled to College Station for a study abroad programme as part of their intercultural communications course, where they explored and analysed the different elements for communications at several of the group stage matches of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
The delegation met with Doha-based students and faculty, participated in cultural experiences and visited various industry sites throughout the country.
