NORTHERN TODAY 13 FALL 2015 STUDENT NEWS NSU senior Jordan AbuSirriya received funding from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program to spend fall semester in the country of Jordan. From Sept. 10 to Dec. 19, he will be studying at Al-Ahliyya Amman University in Amman, taking the following classes: Arabic language, Gender in Islam, U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Abu-Sirriya, an Aberdeen native, is pursuing a degree in political science and communication studies and a minor in history at Northern. He said he chose to study in Jordan because he is learning Arabic, and this will allow him to immerse himself in the language and culture. He is also interested in international affairs – especially involving the Middle East and North Africa – and this will give him an opportunity to learn more about the regional policies and affairs with the United States. The Gilman Scholarship program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Students are encouraged to choose nontraditional destinations, especially those outside of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand, according to www.iie.org/en/Programs/ Gilman-Scholarship-Program. Only a few hundred Gilman scholarships are awarded each term. This isn’t the first prestigious opportunity for Abu-Sirriya. Last fall, he participated in the White House Internship Program in Washington, D.C., serving in the Office of Presidential Personnel. Neither accomplishment would have been possible, he said, without the support of his professors at NSU. “They have taken the time to get to know me and have deeply invested not only in my academic success, but also my personal growth and development,” he said. “I am blessed to have these opportunities, but I don’t want the success to only be seen as my own because this is truly the success and hard work of my professors and mentors as well.” Abu-Sirriya will graduate in May 2016 and is considering entering the Peace Corps. Later, he hopes to attend graduate school for international affairs with a Middle Eastern concentration, followed by a career in Foreign Service through the State Department. “Throughout my journey, I will always look back on the cultures and experiences that made me who I am and use them to build meaningful relationships between the United States and other nations around the world.” SOPHIE DOEDEN, a political science major, is interning in the office of U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds from late August through midDecember. Her duties range from office tasks – answering phone calls and conducting tours – to experiencing the press and legislative side of the office. Before the internship, Doeden said she was excited about the many opportunities the experience would provide. “First, it will provide me with a whole new networking system. I will also be able to obtain real, first-hand experience of the political process,” she said. “Finally, and this is probably what I’m most excited about, I will be able to take what I am learning in the classroom at NSU and apply it in the real world.” This is her second time visiting our nation’s capital – she went on a middle school trip to D.C. as well. She said she is looking forward to taking in as much of the city as she can. “I fell in love with the city in eighth grade, and I cannot wait to return,” she said. A native of Beresford, Doeden said she chose to attend NSU because it felt like home. “There was something about that close-knit feel NSU has that I really felt comfortable with.” Doeden, a junior, said she’s not yet sure what direction she wants to take in her career path, but she’s hoping the internship will help in that determination. She said this internship experience wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of NSU’s “amazing professors.” They have pushed her to want to be the best she can be. “They are all willing to work with you to make you a better student in and out of the classroom,” she said. “Whether it is taking a look at your writing or looking into your future plans with you, they are all right there, making themselves available.” Dr. Jon Schaff, professor of political science at NSU, said Doeden is one of the department’s top students, and it has been exciting to see her grow during her time at Northern. “Sophie’s internship with Senator Rounds typifies the kinds of opportunities political science students have here at NSU, with the chance of complementing their classroom learning with real-world experience,” Schaff said. “We are very proud of Sophie. We know she’ll make the most of this great opportunity.” Sophie Doeden Beresford, S.D. Jordan Abu-Sirriya Aberdeen, S.D. Northern State University student receives Gilman Scholarship to study in Jordan A Northern State University student has been awarded a prestigious scholarship for a study abroad program that will expand his knowledge of international affairs and the Arabic language. Northern State University student interning in Washington, D.C. A Northern State University student is getting an inside look at U.S. government this fall through an internship in Washington, D.C.
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