International Day Italy - Rab'aa Al-Adawiya

Today, November 25, Rab’aa Al-Adawiya Independent Secondary School for Girls sent 23 students and two teachers to participate in International Day Italy, a Planet Georgetown event hosted by Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar.

From trivia games to creative writing exercises, the day’s event was jam packed with hands-on learning activities focusing on the history, culture, and geography of Italy. A full buffet of pastas, pizzas, and other Italian fare followed up with a short lesson and drawing exercise examining the work of Renaissance Man Leonardo Da Vinci allowed the girls to further explore the culinary and artistic traditions of Italy.

SFS-Qatar Department of Admissions would like to thank all of the students and teachers of Rab’aa Al-Adawiya for participating in today’s event. We look forward to welcoming you back at Georgetown soon!

International Day Nepal - October 22 & 29, 2009

Georgetown University SFS-Qatar sends a special thanks to all of the students and teachers from Sakena Independent Preparatory School for Girls and Doha Independent Preparatory School for Boys for their participation in October's International Day Nepal events! We hope to have you back at Georgetown soon!

International Day Nepal - Doha Independent Preparatory School for Boys

Twenty-two students from Doha Independent Preparatory School for Boys turned out for take two of International Day Nepal on Thursday, October 29.

The boys participated in a jam-packed day of internationally-themed activities, hosted by the SFS-Qatar Department of Admissions, from a geography lesson on Nepal, to a scavenger hunt around the LAS building, to constructing their own sand mandalas. Students also had the opportunity to feast on a buffet of popular Nepali foods, including tandoori chicken and biriyani.

Georgetown Pre-College Series

The Georgetown Pre-College Series offers students currently enrolled in the Academic Bridge Program a chance to sample the programs Georgetown has to offer, while honing their research and presentation skills. All ABP students interested in applying to SFS-Qatar in 2010 are strongly encouraged to participate.

GPS will take place over the course of six afternoon workshops. Below is a schedule of the workshops along with an application form. Sign up now to reserve your spot! The deadline to register is this Thursday, October 29th.

For further information, contact Melissa Meyers at 457-8356 or sfsqenrichment@georgetown.edu.

GPS Application
GPS Schedule

International Day Nepal - Sakena Prep

Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Qatar) launched its fall season of educational enrichment events this Thursday, October 22, with International Day Nepal. Twenty-seven students from grades seven through nine and three teachers from Sakena Preparatory Independent School for Girls attended the Nepali-themed event hosted at SFS-Qatar’s Education City campus.

“It’s such a pleasure to have independent school students here at Georgetown. They bring great energy into this place and some perspective as to why we’re here – they are Doha’s future leaders. It’s fundamental to SFS-Qatar’s outreach efforts to creatively engage preparatory and secondary school-aged students in international studies,” said SFS-Qatar Program Assistant, Melissa Meyers.

Throughout day, the students from Sakena were encouraged to explore the country of Nepal through a variety of interactive activities from simulations to games to creative writing. In the classroom, students participated in geography exercises and practiced common Nepalese phrases.

Colorful prayer flags, as are often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas to bless the surrounding countryside, were brought in for students to examine. Students used white scraps of fabric and magic markers to create their own prayer flags – containing wishes like “travel the world” and “peace in Iran.”

A Nepali feast welcomed the students back from a short scavenger hunt across Georgetown’s campus. Tandoori chicken dumplings and samosas topped off with the national sweet treat, Wo or sugar-coated lentil doughnuts, were among the array of finger foods prepared for the event by local caterer Gill Johnsen.

The girls went through bottle after bottle of glitter in the concluding lesson, in which they explored the ancient Tibetan tradition of sand mandalas while creating their own.

“The students really had a great time. I think it was good for them to explore a new country, and the exercises were very motivating and interesting for them. We look forward to getting involved in future Georgetown events!” said Sakena Preparatory School for Girls English Coordinator, Ingy Saleh.

International Day Nepal was one in a series of year-round outreach events held at SFS-Qatar. Each month, SFS-Qatar holds a different International Day event, focusing on a specific country. The day-long events, under the Planet Georgetown program, seek to instill a sense of excitement and interest in geography, writing, and international relations.

"I Love My Planet" Camp - July 19 - 30, 2009

"I Love My Planet" Camp Ends

Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Qatar) ended its second Planet Georgetown camp this summer on Thursday, July 30. As part of the school’s ongoing outreach efforts through the Office of Educational Enrichment, 30 sixth and seventh grade students from 16 local schools participated in the internationally-themed summer camp.

The two-week academic enrichment program, titled “I Love My Planet,” aimed at engaging independent school students with lessons about the world around them. “Through a series of interactive classes, recreational events, art projects, and many other hands-on learning opportunities, each student was challenged while having fun,” says Program Coordinator Emily Wilson.

Throughout the first week, students took a virtual trek around the globe, exploring countries like Italy and Nepal, through games, geography lessons, art projects and recreation time. Campers made African masks, composed Australian aboriginal peace songs, made Nepali prayer flags, traced the borders of Italy and learned about its renaissance culture, and played with Mexican piñatas.

“I learned a lot about countries I never knew anything about before,” said seventh-grade student, Ilham Tag, “I can’t wait to impress my new teachers when I tell them about the places I learned about in camp!”

During the second half of the program, students worked in teams to create their own countries – complete with currencies, languages, maps, national dances and songs. Eight pretend nations were formed in this process, with creative titles ranging from Cocoloo to Jazi Land.

A “world market” held on the last day of camp, gave students the opportunity to showcase their unique handicrafts from each of the newly-created countries. There, parents, teachers, and SFS-Qatar staff and faculty were able to visit with the students as they purchased the craft items using pretend money.

“This was my first experience with Planet Georgetown,” said camp counselor and SFS-Qatar sophomore, Jibin Koshy. “I got to learn a lot from the kids, and I really look forward to the next camp.”

“I Love My Planet” closes out the Office of Educational Enrichment’s 2008-2009 academic year programming, as the department prepares for its fall academic enrichment events. Throughout the coming school year, SFS-Qatar plans to continue partnering with local schools through International Days, day-long events for preparatory and secondary students to sample SFS-Qatar’s tradition of international relations education and campus life, as well as its Resources for Teachers program. For more information on these programs, contact Program Coordinator Emily Wilson at erw27@georgetown.edu.

"Partners in Peace" Camp - June 28-July 9, 2009

Planet Georgetown’s “Partners in Peace” Camp Makes Headlines

It’s all the news. Planet Georgetown wrapped up its second summer camp, titled “Partners in Peace,” on July 9th at SFS-Qatar’s Education City campus. Over thirty students going into grades eight through ten were selected from independent schools throughout Qatar to participate in the summer program aimed at promoting a culture of peace among local youth.

In keeping with the SFS-Qatar’s tradition of international relations education, each day focused on a different country and its history of conflict resolution. Students were taken on virtual explorations of Chile, South Africa, Ireland, Rwanda, and China through a mix of hands-on exercises incorporating geography and language lessons with creative writing, simulations, art projects, sports, and other activities designed by SFS-Qatar undergraduates, staff, and faculty. During the second half of the program, students expanded on their investigative skills, working in teams to research and develop creative nonviolent solutions to current international conflicts of their choosing.

The Office of Educational Enrichment sends a special thanks to those who participated in this year's "Partner's in Peace" camp. We hope to see you back at future Planet Georgetown camps and International Days!

Links to press coverage from "Partners in Peace":

Georgetown summer camp ends
Students get tips on conflict resolution
Camp to promote culture of peace

Register Now: Planet Georgetown Summer Camps

What are your students doing this summer? Planet Georgetown is SFS-Qatar's annual internationally-themed summer camp that hosts students from local independent schools in Qatar.

Two Planet Georgetown camps will be held this summer:
Planet Georgetown Senior (grades 8, 9, and 10) - June 28-July 9
Planet Georgetown Junior (grades 6 and 7) - July 19-July 30

For more information, contact Emily Wilson at erw27@georgetown.edu and check out the program materials below:

PG Summer Camp 2009 Brochure
PG Summer Camp 2009 Brochure - ARABIC
PG Summer Camp 2009 Application
PG Summer Camp 2009 Application - ARABIC
PG Participant and Parent/Guardian Contract
PG Participant and Parent/Guardian Contract - ARABIC

Planet Georgetown Caps off Spring Programming with Last Stop in Nigeria

Planet Georgetown International Day programming for the spring semester wrapped up on April 23, as twenty-seven giggling girls, grades seven through eight, left the Education City campus with their Georgetown University backpacks and freshly-painted African masks in hand.

Throughout the month of April, local middle school and high school students were invited to Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Qatar) to participate in a series of day-long events featuring curriculum focused on Nigeria. Participating schools included: Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim Independent Secondary School for Boys, Khalid bin Al Waleed Independent Preparatory School for Boys, and Amna bint Wahab Preparatory School for Girls.

These events mark SFS-Qatar’s ongoing efforts under the Office of Educational Enrichment to reach out to schools throughout Qatar by engaging local schoolchildren in creative learning with an international focus. “Being at Georgetown has opened the door to knowledge of other countries, people, and cultures. It’s good for our students to be exposed to learning in and about multicultural environments,” said Amna bint Wahab English Coordinator, Fadia Ezz Edin Akash.

At each event, SFS-Qatar staff and students facilitated a variety of educational activities showcasing Nigeria, including mapping exercises designed to challenge the students’ geographical knowledge of West Africa and an introduction to the dances of Nigeria’s nomadic Wodaabe tribe. Wumi Akinade, SFS-Qatar staff and native Nigerian, helped lead classroom sessions on the language and culture of the Yoruban people, one of the three main tribes in Nigeria. “I enjoyed talking with the students. They were very eager to learn about the history, traditions, and cultures of Nigeria,” said Akinade.

A scavenger hunt of the LAS building and lunchtime reception, featuring traditional Nigerian cuisine such as fragrant bean stew and meat pies, allowed the young visitors to interact with the greater SFS-Qatar community. Following lunch, students spent time crafting their own masks modeled after those used in Yoruban ceremonies, and Planet Georgetown certificates were awarded to students and teachers who had participated in the events.

“It has been an adventure for me to learn about Nigeria. I have taken lots of pictures for my brothers and sisters. I hope I can come again to Georgetown,” said eighth grade student, from Amna bint Wahab, Razan Mahmoud Al-Jazairi. Select students will have the opportunity to continue their international studies with more Planet Georgetown events planned for this summer. Two Planet Georgetown camps, offered in June and July, will combine curriculum based on worldwide peace and humanitarian efforts with daily activities including art, recreation, and local field trips.

“The Planet Georgetown program has served to connect us with a number of strong preparatory and secondary schools, and we look forward to working with even more students in our continuing commitment to educational excellence in Qatar,” said Liz Kepferle, Director of Admissions at SFS-Qatar.

International Day Nigeria - Part III

Twenty-seven students from Amna bint Wahab Preparatory School for Girls turned out for the concluding session of International Day Nigeria on April 23.

The girls participated in a full day of internationally-themed activities, hosted by the Office of Educational Enrichment, from a geography lesson on West Africa to a scavenger hunt around the LAS building to African mask-making. Students also had the opportunity to feast on a buffet of popular Nigerian finger foods, including meat pies and puff-puffs, sugar-coated West African donuts.

SFS-Qatar staff and students facilitated the day’s events. “Georgetown students and teachers were helpful and we had a lot of fun,” said eighth-grade student Hajer Faaz Saleh, “I hope to come again sometime.”

International Day Nigeria - Part II

Twenty-six students from Khalid bin Al Waleed Independent Preparatory School for Boys turned out for part two of International Day Nigeria held today at SFS-Qatar.

The boys took part in a full day of activities highlighting the history and traditions of Africa’s largest country, Nigeria. Curriculum featured lessons on the geography of Nigeria, the Naira currency, as well as the language of the Yoruba people, one of the three main tribes of Nigeria. Hands-on exploration of the region continued with a trivia game and creative writing exercises, putting the students’ newfound knowledge of Nigeria to use.

Lunch, provided by Catering with Gill, allowed the students to sample a variety of Nigeria’s traditional bean and meat dishes, topped off puff-puffs – African powdered donuts – for dessert.

With full stomachs, the students ended the day by painting and decorating their own African masks.

“I enjoyed talking with the students. They were very eager to learn about the history, traditions, and cultures of Nigeria. We had a great time together,” said SFS-Qatar staff Wumi Akinade.

International Day Nigeria - Part I

On April 7, 2009, Georgetown School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Qatar) hosted its first “International Day: Nigeria.” A total of 14 students and two teachers from Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim Secondary School for Boys took part in the day of history lessons and hands-on exploration of Nigerian culture, customs, and heritage.

The day-long Planet Georgetown event marks SFS-Qatar’s ongoing efforts to foster excitement and interest in geography, writing, and international relations among local youth.

SFS-Qatar staff and students facilitated the day’s events. Upon arrival, SFS-Qatar staff member and native Nigerian, Wumi Akinade, helped welcome the students at a mock Passport Control. As part of the simulation, students were required to purchase pretend visas and practice greetings in Yoruba, one of the three main tribal languages spoken in Nigeria.

Language activities led by Akinade continued into the classroom along with discussion about the value of community and elderly respect among the Yoruban people.

The day progressed with variety of creative learning activities showcasing Nigeria, including mapping exercises designed to challenge the students’ geographical knowledge of West Africa and an introduction to the dances of Nigeria’s nomadic Wodaabe tribe. “My favorite part of the day was making the African masks, and learning the fun Nigerian language,” said ninth-grade student, Yahya Zakaria Hanash.

A scavenger hunt of the LAS building and lunchtime reception, featuring traditional Nigerian cuisine such as fragrant bean stew and black-eyed bean pancakes, broke up class time and allowed the young visitors to interact with the greater SFS-Q community.

Students and teachers of Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim School for Boys were awarded certificates for their participation in the day’s event.

International Day Mexico

International Day Mexico - Part III

Today, twenty-seven seventh and eighth-grade students from Amna Bint Wahab Preparatory School for Girls participated in Planet Georgetown’s third session of International Day Mexico. The event provided the girls with a glimpse of Mexican history and culture and an introduction to International Relations programming of SFS-Q.

Over the course of the morning, students took part in several hands-on activities, including mapping exercises and Spanish vocabulary lessons. At the end of class time, students used their imaginations and new knowledge of Mexico to write their own postcards as if they were Mexican tourists. Many chose to practice their Spanish as they wrote home about the beautiful weather (“lots of sol – meaning sun”) and spicy food Mexicans eat.

During a scavenger hunt, staff led teams of students around the LAS building, collecting hidden items. The friendly competition allowed students the opportunity to learn more about Georgetown’s campus and the programs it hosts, while interacting with SFS-Q faculty and staff.

After the students worked up their appetites, a full spread of Mexican finger foods provided byCooking with Gill Catering awaited them. As usual, Gill’s chili-packed snacks were a great hit, attracting a number of SFS-Q faculty and staff to join the students for lunch.

The girls wrapped up the day in art class, where they crafted their own Mexican paper flowers. Full of energy, the students snapped several pictures to remember the day by, as they left with bouquets of their own tissue paper creations and certificates of participation.

Planet Georgetown staff would like to thank Amna Bint Wahab Prep for their lively participation in today's event.  Next stop: International Day Nigeria!

International Day Mexico - Part II

Al Doha Preparatory School for Boys participated in a second run of International Day Mexico hosted on Monday, March 23, 2009. Twenty-four students took part in a full morning of activities inspired by the vibrant history and culture of Mexico.

Throughout the event, the boys learned about the geography and traditions of Mexico as well as its language and Indian heritage. To follow along with lectures, the students recorded maps, Spanish phrases, and other observations in their Planet Georgetown journals.

After a short video of the sights and sounds of Mexico City, students were given a taste of Mexican cuisine provided by Cooking with Gill Catering. Lunch also provided SFS-Q faculty and staff the opportunity to drop in and welcome the students of Al Doha Prep, while sampling homemade guacamole and chili tarts.

The day’s events were capped off with an hour of craft time, where the boys created Ojos de Dios (God’s Eyes), yarn weavings native to Indians of Jalisco, Mexico. The boys left with their own colorful string creations as well as a Planet Georgetown certificate of participation.

International Day Mexico - Part I

The fourth event in the Planet Georgetown series, International Day Mexico hosted twelve eighth-grade students from Al Wajba Independent Preparatory School for Girls this afternoon. A full morning’s worth of activities tested and expanded Al Wajba’s knowledge of Mexican history and culture.

To welcome Al Wajba, students were led through a mock review by Planet Georgetown’s Passport Control as well as traditional Latin American songs and a game of Mexican trivia.  

Students received an hour of class time facilitated by Project Coordinator, Kathryn King, and SFS-Qatar students, Tara Makarem (’11) and Kawthar Ahen (’11).  During this time, mapping and writing exercises challenged the students to identify significant Mexican cities as well as Mexico’s borders with the US and Central America.   Students also learned about Mexican currency and the various historical figures printed on the peso Mexicano.  After a short Spanish language tutorial, students practiced several key phrases in Spanish and learned about the language’s origins. 

 

Class time wrapped up with a video that introduced the youth to Mexico’s capital, Mexico City. The video provided a glimpse at modern-day Mexico City – its cuisine, diversity of lifestyles, and ecological concerns – as well as its ancient inhabitants, the Aztec Indians. 

 

Students were given a break for outdoor fun and games, allowing them to work up an appetite for a full spread of traditional Mexican finger foods that awaited them for lunch.  The smells of homemade guacamole, fajitas, and ceviche drew a number of students, staff, and faculty of SFS-Q into the food lounge, giving Al Wajba the opportunity to meet and mingle with the greater Georgetown community.   

Art time capped off the day’s events.  The girls learned to craft their very own paper flowers, which are traditional décor in Dia de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo celebrations.  Within minutes, students created full bouquets of paper blooms to take home along with their certificates of participation.

The Office of Educational Enrichment wishes to thank Al Wajba Independent Preparatory School for Girls and all SFS-Q staff and faculty who helped make International Day Mexico a great success!

International Day - Russia

Dobro pozhalovat'! Greetings!

Twenty-five seventh graders from Al Razi Preparatory School for Boys received a warm Russian welcome at Planet Georgetown’s third International Day held on February 25th. For three full hours, Al Razi’s students learned about the people and history that make up the vast nation of Russia through games and interactive presentations.

Following a mock review by Planet Georgetown’s very own “Russian Passport Control,” SFS-Qatar students Hanouf Al Buainain (’09), Nadim Rifai (’12), and Basil Makhfuz (’11) helped kick things off with a game of Russian trivia.

Students exercised their minds and English writing skills through lessons on the geography and history of Russia. To follow along with lectures, each student was given a journal to keep as a travelogue, in which they pasted stamps, maps, and photographs. A postcard exercise encouraged students to imagine themselves as tourists writing home to their friends and families about their experiences of life in Russia. Postcards covered a wide range of topics from the below-freezing temperatures of wintery Siberia to the colorful architecture of St. Basil’s Cathedral.

To familiarize the youth with the SFS-Qatar campus, students took a break from their time in the classroom to participate in a scavenger hunt. Several of SFS-Qatar’s faculty and staff got in on the action as teams of students raced against the clock to locate hidden objects while exploring the LAS building and the many programs it hosts.

In the final segment of the afternoon, students were given the chance to the test their creative skills with lacquered art, a centuries-old Russian craft. After a brief lesson on the art form, each student personalized their own wooden box with paint, replicating the elaborate designs of lacquered art.

Participants were awarded certificates before heading home from an action-packed afternoon.

Thanks to Al Razi Preparatory School for Boys and the SFS-Qatar faculty and staff volunteers who helped make International Day Russia a great success!