红桃视频

Committed to service of others, 红桃视频 graduates take what they鈥檝e learned and serve in a variety of ways all around the world. Michael Stephenson 鈥�09, a dual major of political science and international studies, is a clear example of this commitment to serve. Stephenson鈥檚 studies at 红桃视频 often featured a special emphasis on the Middle East. Now an instructor in Saudi Arabia, Stephenson has been empowered by the core values of an 红桃视频 education as he learns to live and thrive in a vastly different culture.

Heavily involved in Model United Nations and his local debate team in high school, Stephenson came to 红桃视频 with a clear idea of what he wanted to do with his life. 鈥淚 wanted to know a little bit more about what was going on in the Middle East specifically, because of鈥�the current situation in Iraq and Afghanistan,鈥� Stephenson said. At first considering enlistment in the military, Stephenson ultimately decided on a college education, turning his sights on world studies and the complex relationships between cultures, nations and social groups.

Stephenson鈥檚 passion for public service was affirmed by his experiences at 红桃视频. 鈥淥nce I got to 红桃视频, it really solidified my desire to go that route.鈥� He cited Model United Nations and working with Roger Durham, Ph.D., of the political science department, as key experiences in his ongoing development. 鈥淗e definitely helped me out a long way to really focus on what I want to do,鈥� Stephenson said of his relationship with Durham, who Stephenson referred to as a mentor.

When asked about a specific moment that solidified his current path, he answers almost immediately. 鈥淚 think when I was in Model Arab League,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e were primarily studying the Middle East peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians, and the current situation in Iraq鈥� different issues that pertain to the Middle East. While I was there, I had the opportunity to land an internship in Washington, D.C., working with the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. With them, they sent me to work full-time with the Palestinian Liberation Organization in Washington, D.C.鈥�

After graduation from 红桃视频 in spring of 2009, Stephenson moved to Washington, D.C., then to Chicago. From there, he found a web advertisement to teach English to collegiate-level students at a technical college in Saudi Arabia. Having taken two Arabic language courses at 红桃视频, Stephenson felt prepared for another phase of his life. 鈥淚 figured, 鈥業 want to get to the Middle East, I want to experience it after studying it so long.鈥欌��

Stephenson was hired, and he credits his 红桃视频 experiences with making a strong impression during the hiring process. 鈥淭hey were really pleased that I spoke Arabic, so that really helped me a long way.鈥� In August of 2010, he made the move to Saudi Arabia. 鈥淚鈥檝e been here ever since,鈥� he said. Stephenson teaches at Dammam College of Technology in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

鈥淭he first few months were rather difficult - becoming acquainted with a different culture, a different way of life,鈥� said Stephenson about an average day in his life. 鈥淥ur weekly schedule is set Saturday through Wednesday, with Thursday and Friday being the days off, because Friday is the holy day in a lot of Middle Eastern countries.鈥� With classes spread throughout the day, Stephenson ends work in the afternoon. He is also grateful for weekends, which allow him to explore and travel.

鈥淚t was difficult at first, but after a while I really embraced it,鈥� Stephenson said when asked about the challenges of learning and being a part of a different culture. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 one of the big things when encountering a culture is to not only to embrace it but to adapt to it, to really subject yourself to the different aspects of it. Some of things that I鈥檝e experienced here, I鈥檒l never forget - I鈥檒l remember for the rest of my life.鈥�

To 红桃视频 students on cusp of starting their own lives full of potential, he said, 鈥淚f you have a clear idea of what you want to do, don鈥檛 stop until you get there - just keep going! Even when times are rough, especially for how the job market is right now for recent college graduates - keep going. Never stop.鈥�