A Unique Opportunity

QUOTE/UNQUOTE "In pursuit of your passions, always be young. In relations with others, always be a grown-up. Use the money beyond what you need to save a life, a neighborhood, a community, the world," TOM BROSCAW, FORMER NBC NEWS ANCHOR, SPEAKING AT COMMENCEMENT JUNE 12

LAST MAY WHEN THE KUWAITI PARLIAMENT passed a bill allowing women to vote in future elections, two Dartmouth students were in the crowd of observers. Jennifer Krimm '06, who calls the event "one of the most moving moments in my life," and Hema Mohan '06 were in Kuwait as the first two participants in a new Dartmouth-American University of Kuwait (AUK) internship program.

Shortly after his appointment as founding president of AUK in spring 2003, Shafeeq Ghabra sought the advice of old friend Dale Eickelman '64, Dartmouth professor of anthropology and human relations. That July Ghabra and Shaykha Dana Al-Sabah, chairwoman of the university's board of trustees, met in Hanover with College officials, including Provost Berry Scherr, director of the Dickey Center Ken Yalowitz, and Richard Lucier, then librarian of the College. On the basis of their discussions, a memorandum of understanding was signed in September 2003 governing a series of consulting and programmatic activities between the two institutions.

Although Dartmouth faculty and administrators have consulted on start-ups before, this was the first time Dartmouth became involved directly in the establishment of a university—helping to determine AUK's course offerings, administrative policies and library development. Dartmouth consultants traveled to Kuwait several times during the past year to work with their counterparts and determine ways in which the collaborative relationship could directly benefit Dartmouth students. The internship program was one outcome.

Designed to provide exposure to Kuwait beyond AUK, 10-week internships include transportation to Kuwait, housing near campus and university employment keyed to a students interest. Krimm, a government major with a strong interest in the impact of media on governmental operations, worked in the university's public relations office, where she wrote press releases, edited university documents such as the student handbook, and drafted an institutional agreement between the university and a local bank. Mohan, an Arabic major and Spanish minor, supported student activities. "Interacting with the students taught me so much about Arab culture," says Mohan, who helped plan a career fair and a self-defense class.

Both seniors want to return to the Gulf region after graduation. "I fell in love with the country," says Mohan of Kuwait. Krimm, a Kentucky native, is pursuing a Fullbright grant to study Middle Eastern media in Qatar, including Al-Jazeera.

Bridging a Gulf Jennifer Krimm '06 (left)and Hema Mohan '06 recently completedinternships at a new university in Kuwait.