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Netherlands (NLD) Program Links - 1 2897

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• Educational Excursions
• Homestays

Netherlands: Islam, Diaspora Communities, and the EU

Program Highlights

Students in the Netherlands: Islam, Diaspora Communities, and the EU program examine the integration of Muslim communities in the Netherlands and Western Europe as well as the impact of international events, such as September 11, the war in Iraq, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on the image and living conditions of these diaspora populations.

The program consists of three phases: a five-week homestay in Utrecht; a four-week period during which students research Muslim diaspora communities in Antwerp, Paris, Berlin, and Istanbul; and a four-week period during which students focus on their Independent Study Projects (ISPs). Each phase introduces different perspectives on the increased visibility and influence of Islam in Europe and helps students strengthen their comparative study of Muslim communities in various countries.  

Utrecht
During their homestay in Utrecht, students attend lectures and participate in seminars led by prominent academics and community leaders on a range of issues related to Muslim culture and European integration, such as the policies of "tolerance" in the Netherlands, Islam in a European context, and Muslim representation in government bodies. Students are also immersed in Arabic language study through intensive language classes and interactions with local Muslim organizations and community members. This four-week period helps students develop a framework for the rest of the semester by introducing them to the complex social and political issues regarding the Muslim diaspora in the Netherlands. Students also explore how these issues are manifested in other European countries and the role of the Netherlands as a change agent for intercultural development in the EU.

Comparative field study
During the second phase of the program, students participate in educational excursions throughout Western Europe and Turkey to study and gain a comparative perspective on individual Muslim communities. Students live with Arabic-speaking families in Antwerp, Belgium, to study the city's ongoing social development and the interactions between the Muslim community and other local diaspora groups such as Jewish, Chinese, and African communities. Students also travel to Paris, Berlin, and Istanbul to compare Muslim communities in other countries and examine how their status as a minority or majority group influences their image, livelihoods, and political representation.

Independent Study Project
The final phase of the semester is dedicated to the Independent Study Project (ISP). Students construct a research project that critically analyzes a specific topic related to Muslim diaspora communities and their integration throughout Europe. Students select an ISP advisor who has academic or field expertise in their chosen subject and also receive project guidance from the academic director. After completion, students present their research findings to their peers, researchers at the organizations that were involved with their projects, and interested community members. Examples of research topic areas include Muslim youth and education, and immigration policies and xenophobia in the Netherlands.