Next stop Athens: NYUAD students get ready to take on the world for ‘J-term’
Students from New York University Abu Dhabi will be sent to Greece to research how Athens has tackled significant economic and social issues.
Athens will be a case study of a vibrant historical capital now faced with an economic crisis, high unemployment and large number of refugees, for the 1,200 students at the university who visit various parts of the globe during January term, or “J-term”.
Students will also travel to countries including Italy, Britain, Singapore, India, Morocco, Djibouti and Jordan, as 83 courses are offered over a three-week period to help students delve deeper into their chosen topics.
“The purpose of J-term is to give students an intensified experience with fieldwork in the real world after grounding them in the theory of a particular discipline,” said Carol Brandt, vice provost and associate vice chancellor of global education at the university.
“Each J-term, students go beyond the classroom to experience academic concepts through hands-on research, allowing them to explore and engage with the global academic community, of which they are a part.”
J-term has been running at the university since 2010.
Sophia Kalantzakos, professor of environmental studies and public policy at the institute, is leading the course in Athens titled, ‘City in Crisis: Refuge and Resilience in Greece’. It explores the modern challenges that cities face all over the world.
Prof Kalantzakos chose Athens for the trip as it is a capital city which has faced extreme challenges.
She believes that research travel gives students hands-on experience and gives them the chance to interact with experts and people in the community.
Prof Kalantzakos said that, in Athens, students would have the opportunity to visit the members of the Hellenic Parliament, work with nongovernment organisations, discuss challenges with local experts and tour the city to experience the “decay and rejuvenation of different areas”.
The students will also meet refugees living in the capital.
Carlos Riofrio, 21, from Ecuador, is studying economics, social research and public policy, and said the trip to the Greek capital would encourage him to help introduce social change.
“I am extremely excited to be a part of these projects,” Mr Riofrio said. “These courses motivate me to keep working hard to create a positive social impact. We will be able to put our knowledge and thinking in to practice.”
He chose Greece to learn more about the grave challenges cities face as a result of with the refugee crisis.
Sebastian Caro, 19, from Colombia, is an economics major who is part of a course called Law in Entrepreneurship.
Although Mr Caro’s course will be studied in the UAE, he acknowledged the benefits of J-term.
“What makes J-term different is we have international trips that provide an outside perspective,” he said.
“Students are going to be intellectually stimulated and curious to ask the important questions.”
Students will travel to countries including Italy, Britain, Singapore, India, Morocco, Djibouti and Jordan