Lessons from the Middle East

 lessons from the middle east

Just a few short years ago, senior Alex Gibson would have struggled to point out the Middle East on a map. Today, he is finishing a self-designed major in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies.

“When I enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2011, I was 17 years old and had little understanding of Middle Eastern culture, geography or politics,” says Gibson. “I realized that my understanding of this region came from a particular world view. I had primarily seen the Middle East through our military’s history of combat and actions in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. And while the insights from my military background were relevant and meaningful, I took it upon myself to learn more about the regions of the world we are impacting and operating in, not just on a geopolitical level, but also anthropologically and culturally.”

A student in WMU’s Military Science and Leadership program, which is a part of the college of business, Gibson is a recipient of the prestigious David L. Boren Scholarship. The Boren Awards give students the chance to develop their language and international skills in areas of the world that are critical to America’s continued security and stability.

Upon graduation, Boren Scholarship recipients must serve in the federal government in a position with national security responsibilities. Gibson’s service will be as an active duty military intelligence officer.

At the end of his four-year contract, he plans to attend law school, focusing on either international or immigration law, with a long-term goal of working for the government to help shape foreign policy.

Initially inspired by his sister, who also majored in Arabic, Gibson’s greatest source of inspiration once he began his studies were his two study abroad experiences in Jordan. The study abroad trips have allowed him to connect with other students from all over the world, get to know the people and customs of Jordan and think about the questions that drove him to study the Middle East.

“Throughout my studies, I have come to realize that Americans as a whole tend to favor simple answers to complex situations, especially when discussing foreign policy pertaining to the Middle East,” says Gibson. “Many times we neglect to understand the strong cultural diversity throughout these regions. The political and cultural climate in Jordan is completely different than that of neighboring Syria. Both Syria and Jordan differ a great deal from Egypt. Regions within a country can differ from one another as well. When we discuss the Middle East, I think it is important to keep an open mind and understand the Arab world is very different from what is typically portrayed in our media.”

One of the most life-changing experiences that Gibson had while he was abroad was working with refugees. His first exposure to refugee relief was during a school break where he was part of a team in Greece that helped to land boats and assess the condition of refugees. While in Jordan, he taught math and English to refugee children. For Gibson, this experience was extremely humbling, as was his entire time abroad.

“I have had the opportunity to work with doctors and volunteers who are nothing short of brilliant, study Arabic with Americans who speak at a near native level, and spend time with refugees who have next to nothing but still find something to offer the volunteers because they are so grateful. I am honored to have had these experiences and to have met these people. They motivate me to continue to use my skill set to have a positive impact on the world.”