Devin Day '08 Seizes International Studies Opportunity in Middle East

Although the tension and conflict in the Middle East is still present today, Devin Day '08, an international relations major, spent five weeks living in Yemen. Tucked away in the south western corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Middle East where almost half of the population lives below the poverty line.

"The trip was something that happened on a whim," he says. Urged by Karen Kampwirth, associate professor of Political Science, to pursue summer studies in the Middle East, he attended the Yemen Language Center in Sana'a. There, he spent four hours a day learning the Arabic language followed by personal excursions in the history, culture and religion of the Middle East.

He says his historical/political mindset was defined early in high school. "I was in a history class when 9/11 happened," he says. "I wanted to know why it happened. Who were these people? The teacher did a good job with presenting the issues without putting any slant on them."

With only a quick study of Arabic prior to his summer trip, Day claims the initial experience was a culture shock. "Yemen is not a mainstream touristy place, and nobody speaks English at all."

The untraditional campus is dispersed throughout the city. Though he got lost a couple of times, Day says that after a few language classes he was able to communicate important words in Yemenis like 'hotel' and 'where is.'

With the challenges of learning a new language, Day stresses the hardest thing was learning the Arabic alphabet in just two days. "It was frustrating because the alphabet is so unlike ours, and you read from right to left."

Between the studies and finding time to explore, Day found that being in a different place outside the West solidified a lot of things about Yemen and about home. "I had the opportunity to see how the people live and see how it is similar and different to life here."

Going to Yemen, Day wondered if people would distinguish between the positions held by his government and those of his own. "I had this nice conversation with an Arabic cab driver. I was expressing my political opinion and he was agreeing with me. He understood that Americans were really good people."

A self described global thinker, Day believes that focusing on the the historical and political context of the world is a good thing. "You realize all the things that happen that influence you and your life and the society that you live in."

His long term goals include studying comparative politics with a focus on the Middle East, but Day admits that for now he relishes the guidance of his faculty. "Knox has left a mark on me. The advisors and faculty are there as sounding boards and nudge you in the right direction. If a college is doing that for all its students, then it is doing something right. I don't think a large university could do that."