Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe Communication Tour

Summer 2010: May 10 to June 4

Program Location

Students will visit with a wide range of international public relations professionals and other experts in several of the world’s most dynamic and diverse communication centers, including:  London, England; Paris, France; Istanbul, Turkey; Cairo, Egypt; Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; and Mumbai, India.

Professional briefings and academic seminars in each country will provide invaluable opportunities to gain first-hand knowledge, insights, and comprehensive perspectives focusing on best professional practices and socially significant issues.  This JMU program, established in 2008, is one of the most extensive public relations study abroad programs offered by any university.

Students will enhance their professional knowledge by exploring cutting-edge global issues at organizations ranging from corporations and public relations agencies to non-profit and NGO groups, as well as local, U.S., and international government agencies. 

In addition to enriching the students’ international experience and knowledge, the tour’s optional extracurricular experiences offer adventure as well as cultural enhancement.  Likely choices include the theaters and museums  in London and Paris; touring the Hagia Sophia Byzantine architectural masterpiece in Istanbul; the pyramids and Egyptian Museum; a dune-bashing safari, even snow skiing, and camel riding in the United Arab Emirates; cruising the waterways of Paris, London and Istanbul.

Academic Program

In addition more than 40 world-class public relations professionals, the tours benefited from valuable perspectives provided by a number of leading international communication professors and students at Zayed University in Dubai, the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi, Istanbul University, American University in Cairo, and American University of Paris.

Professional Briefings.  The 2008 and 2009 tours included briefings with international public relations consultants and Echo Global Research and International Public Relations CEOs in London, and Al Jazeera staff, Cornell medical college’s public affairs director in Doha.  In Abu Dhabi students attended a majlis and dinner with His Excellency Sheik Nahaya, Minister of Education and Research.  Dubai briefings included Brand Dubai, Bates PanGulf, and Hill and Knowlton.  Istanbul meetings included Cumhuriyet newspapers, Marketing Tukiye, and Leo Burnett.  Paris briefings included Burson-Marsteller, Bailiwick, U.S. Embassy, and Rumeur Publique.  Berlin sessions featured the former CEO of Shandwick Europe, Federal Press and Information Office, and the Jewish Museum.  Brussels briefings included the European Parliament and Burson-Marsteller.  Cairo briefings included RADA Research and Public Relations. Prague briefings included Donath Burson-Marsetller. 

Instructional methods include lectures, guided tours, field work, journal assignments and/or papers, on-line blogging and web site content.

Tentative course offerings:
SCOM 395: Study Abroad Seminar (6)

Prerequisites: SCOM 260, SCOM 463 preferred

Accommodations

Students will reside in hotels and residence halls/dormitories in London, Paris, Istanbul, Cairo, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, and Doha. Most group meals will be provided.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

In addition to the Short-term Application, interested students should submit a faculty recommendation. A personal interview will also be required.

For More Information

For additional information about the program, please contact the program director:

Dr. Frank B. Kalupa
Professor
School of Communication Studies
Tel: 540-568-4157
E-mail: fbkalupa@aol.com