Experiencing the Old and New Middle East

The 2026 Middle East Dialogue will sweep through 5,000 years of history: from the Pharaohs, Greeks, Romans, Coptic Christians, Arab Muslims, Ottoman Turks, French and British colonial powers until the 21st Century “wonders” that are Dubai and the Gulf Arab Monarchies. Modern history, politics, international relations, regional security, economy, and society will be topics throughout EGYPT, the UAE, and TURKEY. By studying in Cairo, Dubai, and Istanbul, the 2026 Middle East Dialogue provides students with an in-depth study of the contemporary Middle East (politics, history, culture, gender, migration, and society), with a special focus on the rising power of the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) along with traditional Middle East politics: military-backed regimes (Egypt, Syria, Jordan), “illiberal democracy” in Turkey, the Arab-Israeli Conflict, The “Arab Spring” (Arab Uprisings) and Civil Wars in Libya, Syria, and Yemen, and the subsequent Refugee Crises in Syrian, Yemen, and elsewhere. Through formal and informal activities (lectures, site visits, dialogues, reading and viewing assignments), students engage with NU professors, guest lecturers and residents of Egypt, the UAE, and Turkey via dialogue and discussion of current events, culture, history, international relations and global issues.
Students will receive a detailed program itinerary after acceptance into the program. 

For more information, please see the Global Experience Office website found here.

Upcoming Information Sessions for Summer 2026:

• November 19th on Zoom
• November 20th on Zoom