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.
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