Soliya Connect Program Northwestern Michigan College Humanities 116 ‐ World Cultures Jim Bensley WORLD CULTURES HUM 116 explores the culture of Asia, Africa, and the Americas utilizing an interdisciplinary and thematic approach focusing on social/political/historical issues, cultural and religious rituals, painting, sculpture, architecture, film, music, and customs and traditions of each region. Lectures focus on how cultures shape the world today, with appropriate references to historical events and trends • Former Lit. Africa Instructor from Sub‐ Saharan Africa

• “Master Harold and the Boys” – Apartheid Play

• Drumming lesson China • Chinese Calligraphy • Throat Singers • Tibetan Sand Mandela • Dumplings India • “The World Before Her” – film director visit • Henna • Samosas Latin America • Aztec Artifacts • Latin Dance • “Evita” Musical Islamic World • Caravan Sari Band • Middle Eastern Food • International Affairs Forum • National Writers Series visit • Students from Afghanistan, – , Turkmenistan, Turkey, Yemen What? The Connect Program—Soliya’s flagship virtual exchange initiative—is an online cross‐cultural education program integrated into curriculum that provides college students with a unique opportunity to:

• Establish a deeper understanding for the perspectives of others around the world on important socio‐political issues. • Develop 21st Century skills such as critical thinking, cross‐ cultural communication, and media literacy. Soliya & The Aspen Institute Stevens Initiative The Stevens Initiative is an international public‐private partnership aimed at bringing young people together to learn about the world and about each other, as a lasting tribute to the legacy of Ambassador Chris Stevens. Through a web conferencing application, students speak face‐to‐face in groups of 8‐10 global peers, with no more than two students from aphysical classroom assigned to the same online group so as to ensure a deeply multilateral learning experience.

Each group is led by one or two trained facilitators that sustain dialogue and support an environment where students can comfortably explore perspectives, uncover biases, and arrive at a better understanding of cultures, with the goal of developing the global competence essential to thriving in an interconnected world. Why? • 95% of Grand Traverse region is? • Closest Islamic Center to Traverse City is? • International student recruitment is difficult • Study abroad – not for everyone • Communication technology is constantly improving Where? • Universities in the and around the world • Students connect in classrooms, coffee shops, or at home • private study rooms • NMC Innovation Center! Participating Institutions

• United Arab Emirates Morocco • American University of Kuwait ActionAid Global Platform American Language Center in Tangiers • Gulf University for Science and Technology American Language Center in Mohammedia • Lebanon German Jordanian University American Language Center in Tetouan • Lebanese International University Excelangue • Notre Dame University King Al‐Hussein Bin Talal University Al Akhawayn University • American University of Beirut I Learn Space for Knowledge American Language Center in Marrakesh • Haigazian University University of Jordan American Language Center in Rabat • Lebanese American University National Information Technology Center • Sawa Association for Development Philadelphia University American Language Center in Kenitra • American University of Sharjah Queen Rania Teacher Academy American Language Center in El Jadida • United Arab Emirates University Al‐Qantara Centre for Human Resources Belgium • Bahrain Development Université libre de Bruxelles • University of Bahrain World Student Christian Federation Switzerland • Egypt Kuwait University of Basel • Information Resource Center, Cairo American University of Kuwait Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne • Menoufiya University Gulf University for Science and Technology Geneva School of Diplomacy • South Valley University Lebanon Germany • Al Azhar University Lebanese International University Free University of Berlin • American University in Cairo Notre Dame University Technische Universität München • AMIDEAST American University of Beirut Goethe University Frankfurt • British Council Haigazian University Denmark • Lebanese American University Aarhus University • English Language Resource Center (ELRC) Sawa Association for Development Crossing Borders Global Studies at Krogerup Hojskole • Future University Libya Finland • Minya University Al Asmarya University • Iraq France • University of Duhok Zawia University Université Paris Saclay Misurata University AgroParisTech Sebha University École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées École Nationale Supérieure D’informatique et de Mathématiques Appliquées University of Bradford US Institutions

• Marymount University DePaul University Bluefield State College • St. Louis Community College New York University Jamestown Community College • University of Texas at Austin University of Maryland Seton Hall University • Central Connecticut State University Tennessee State University University of Richmond • Bryn Mawr College Endicott College Bowie State University • California State University at Monterey Bay Ohio State University Kennesaw State University • Metropolitan State University University of Maryland Eastern Shore Skidmore College • State University of New York at Potsdam University of Nebraska University of St. Thomas • Villanova University George Mason University Bellevue Community College • Fayetteville State University Oxford College of Emory University Brandeis University • Carnegie Mellon University University of Miami • Moraine Valley Community College University of Texas San Antonio • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville George Washington University • Virginia Commonwealth University Pace University • Florida Atlantic University/Navitas University of Minnesota Twin Cities • Centre College Georgetown University • Mid‐Michigan Community College Queens University of Charlotte • Tufts University University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • Virginia Union University Georgia College • Grinnell College Salisbury University • Clark University University of Northern Colorado • Northwestern Michigan College American University • University of Iowa Harvard University • Western Kentucky University San Jose City College • Indiana University Bloomington University of North Florida • College of Charleston Ashland University • University of North Georgia Iona College • University of Maine Machias San Jose State University • Yale University University of Pennsylvania When? • 8 weeks, 2 hours per week • Third semester NMC has been involved How? https://www.soliya.net/programs/connect‐program

Menoufiya University, Egypt How? • Session facilitator(s) • Topics • Final project • Class journal • In class weekly review • Social media extension Additional Benefits • Opportunity to participate in facilitator training • Increased interest in Study Abroad Feedback from Students

• 90% are glad to have participated in the program and would recommend participation to their peers.

• 82% agree that participating in the program helped them clarify what they think and feel about issues that are important to them.

• 25% increase reported in having a good understanding of their peers from other regions, and recognizing they have a lot in common with them.

• 25% increase in having challenged media representation about the relationship between their societies and societies abroad. • 90% shared information about what they were learning with their peers and community members.

• 25% increase in speaking out or acting to promote awareness about an issue related to international affairs after participating in the Connect Program.

• 30% of Connect Program alumni go on to participate in our UN‐certified Facilitation Training program, an indication of their desire to continue to be engaged and to take a leadership role in fostering international understanding. Feedback from Professors • 97% say the Connect Program helped them accomplish the goals for their course.

• 89% say the Connect Program enhanced the quality of discussions in their class.

• 90% of professors agreed that their students developed an understanding of alternative perspectives through their participation in the Connect Program.

• 81% say students gain confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking skills. Live and in person! MOROCCO 2017 Thank You! Benefits

www.soliya.net