| GLENVILLE, WV - After spending ten months in the Middle East, Glenville State College junior Joshua James has returned home. James was a student at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
 James (pictured left) wearing traditional Emirati Dress - Kandoora, Gutra, and Agal.
While there, he pursued studying business and marketing and also had the opportunity to study Arabic. James also had the opportunity to learn a great deal about the Emirati people and culture. "The Emirati culture, including lifestyle, song and dance, and local food are very unique to the Persian Gulf," said James.
The experience was further enriched by being given the opportunity to meet with Emirati locals and become immersed in the culture. James said, "Being given the opportunity to live with locals gave me the chance to see what it was to be Emirati. They are very proud of their nationality and their culture."
James (center) with Emirati friends Ismail
Al-Ali (left) and Abdullah Al-Qassab (right)
He added that while living with Emiratis, he was treated as one of them, not 'the American.' "My friends took me to a tailor and had Kandooras (the traditional dress worn in the Gulf) made for me to wear with them. This also helped me blend in.
Many people assumed my father was Emirati and my mother was Syrian or Lebanese when I wore a Kandoora. It is very comfortable, especially in the desert heat," said James. This GSC student not only visited the UAE, but also had the chance to visit other countries in the Gulf including Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
"While visiting these countries, many people were very happy to have me there and were eager to show me around," said James. He added, "They wanted to show me around their country and make sure I saw the real thing as compared to the image portrayed by western media. The Middle East that I witnessed is nothing like that on western media. It is sad that people stereotype this region and give it such a bad image. The majority of people in these countries are very friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand."
The University experience itself was an opportunity for James to meet people from around the Middle East. James added, "I have friends from Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, the UAE and Yemen.
AUS offers a unique atmosphere where students from around the world can meet and coincide together. We learn from each other and each day gives us a better understanding of the world around us." For this GSC student, one year in the Middle East was a life changing experience; an experience that will never be forgotten.
James will be a senior at GSC in the fall. He is expected to graduate in May of 2009 with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in Marketing.
He is from Braxton County and resides in Burnsville.
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