My name is Brent Brewer and just a little over two months ago I embarked on a grand adventure that I could only dream of having the opportunity to do. I have spent this semester studying and engaging with the culture in the United Arab Emirates, and it has been the most rewarding experience of my college career thus far. However, that is not to say it hasn’t been without its difficulties, because as with any true growing experience, there are bound to be pains. With this being my first time leaving the country, as well as having a quite rural background, it was tough to adjust at first. With the help of the amazing international program here, and a few friends I have made along the way, however, I have found myself eager to explore the culture here and I can’t wait to see more. I came here as an already established International Relations Major, and with my emphasis on Middle Eastern studies, I truly cannot imagine a better place for me to study at this time. The teaching here is similar to Lake Forest College’s style, something I am quite thankful for, yet the vast material and multitude of perspectives available to me here is unparalleled. These learning experiences have already been incredibly beneficial to my broadening as a scholar and as a person and I can’t wait to continue my studies here. With that being said, I would like to give a massive thank you to the donors who assist this program and the scholarships that they help fund. Without your help, none of these experiences I have had would be achievable.
Thank You,