WASHINGTON – Donna Scarboro, assistant vice president for special academic programs at The George Washington University, joined two other officials from U.S. universities in a visit to Lebanon, Egypt and Tunisia to encourage Arab college students to attend college in the United States.  

“Such personal interaction is the best way to break down the stereotypes that stand in the way of greater cooperation and understanding.  We want our universities to contribute to this process to the fullest extent possible,” said Scarboro.  

Joining Scarboro were Howard Dooley, executive director of international affairs for Western Michigan University and Patrick Plunkett, vice provost for international initiatives at Northwestern University.  

The delegation hopes that by speaking to students in person they can explain the positive Arab experience on their campuses; safety measures their universities are taking to respond to the concerns of Muslim and Arab students; their efforts to broaden international understanding in their local communities; and the mutual benefits of international exchange.  To explain new restrictions on student visas, a consular official from the American Embassy in Amman is available to answer student visa questions throughout the Middle East tour.  

In an effort to allay fears of backlash against Muslim and Arab students in America following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the delegation will cover three countries and four cities over the course of this week.  Their message is both welcoming and reassuring.  “Openness and tolerance are at the core of what we, as educators, hold most dear and seek to instill in all our students, American and international, alike,” said Dooley.

Enrollment declines among Arab students, while small, are still of concern to U.S. universities.  Arabs represented 17,000 enrollments in the U.S. university system last year.  The U.S. university team hopes that by speaking with students and answering their questions in person, they can underscore the U.S. university system’s commitment to international students. 

The trips are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) in cooperation with the U.S. embassies in the region.  AMIDEAST is a private, nonprofit organization working to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the people of the Middle East and North Africa.