The Rachel Corrie Leadership Studies Fellowship

Degree Name

MA in International Education

First Advisor

Lynee Connelly

Abstract

Anti-Arab racism and Islamophobia are constantly reinforced through portrayals of Arab and Muslim people in the U.S. media and have impacted U.S. Americans’ perception of differences. Opportunities to counter this negative messaging can be realized through international education programming to foster connection. There are a number of organizations that send delegations to Palestine or engage in reality tourism in the West Bank and Gaza. While their intentions are noble, the programs can be problematic as the usual two week timeframe offers little chance for participants to spend significant time to develop meaningful relationships with Palestinians living under occupation. There is a need for programs that bring people from Palestine to the United States that foster connections, and immerse program participants in U.S. communities for a significant amount of time. Direct contact with people is a greater catalyst for transformative learning than exposure to stereotypes in popular media. The Rachel Corrie Leadership Studies Fellowship, seeks to engage participants in experiential learning through nonformal education programming focused on intercultural competency; and personal, interpersonal and professional development. In addition, the fellowship is designed to deepen the level of internationalization in Olympia, Wash., through opportunities for community members to engage with Palestinian participants.

Disciplines

Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching | Curriculum and Instruction | Curriculum and Social Inquiry | Educational Methods | International and Comparative Education | Other Education

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