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More students studying abroad in Middle East

The University of Iowa has seen a substantial increase over the last five years in the number of students studying abroad in the Middle East, mirroring a national trend.

Only five students traveled to that region five years ago; last year, the number ballooned to 55.

“There is definitely an interest in the study of the Middle East lately,” said Janis Perkins, the director of UI Study Abroad. “I think it’s because it’s an area of the world that our country is generally focused on.”

Though the most frequently selected programs are in European countries, the Middle East programs’ popularity is increasing every year, Perkins said.

UI senior Laura Wonderlin said she is anxious to travel across the world to spend three and a half months in Amman, Jordan, in less than a month.

“I am more excited than nervous,” said the 20-year-old.

After a year of studying Arabic behind her, she said, she is ready to live among the many cultural differences and gain knowledge from the trip.

Wonderlin isn’t the only one who’s taken an interest in Arabic at the UI.

During the 2004-05 school year, 86 students enrolled in Arabic classes. Five years later, that number grew around 66 percent to 143 during the 2009-10 school year. There are currently 99 students enrolled in the fall semester alone.

Read the full story at the Daily Iowan.

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