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.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
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.”
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.”
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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