Jordan

In January 2009, fourteen UTEP Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (IC CAE) Scholars accompanied by Dr. Natalico, University President, Dr. Dennis L. Soden, Dean of University College and Ms. Jan Conary, Programs Coordinator had the opportunity to explore the many treasures and experience the rich culture of Jordan. All students were enrolled in the for-credit special topics course “Jordan: Its Place in the Modern World”. As part of the course requirements, students received intensive Arabic language training, visited Amman, the U.S Embassy in Jordan and a number of historic sites. They also had the opportunity to interact with a number of Jordanian policy makers and scholars. Alejandro Palma, UTEP Graduate Student, was quoted in the UTEP Maganize (Spring 2009) as describing the trip as an “eye opener”. Mr. Palma added, “The experience afforded us the opportunity to learn what you can’t get from a textbook”.

North Africa

Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence High School Summer Program (IC CAE HSSP)

Over the last two summer, 76 students from 11 area high schools participated in the IC CAE HSSP. This month long program, for rising High School Juniors and Seniors, incorporates a number of classroom and community learning experiences designed to introduce them to careers in intelligence and national security. Students participated in intensive Arabic Instruction, Political Science, Intercultural Communications, Computer Science and Map Reading. In addition, every Friday students participated in Field Trips to a number of Intelligence Agencies in the El Paso community. These trips included the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), Joint Task Force North (JTF-N), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). During these trips students were able to tour facilities, speak to intelligence agents and participate in intelligence analysis simulations.

Brazil

IC CAE Scholars studying Portuguese had the rare opportunity to participate in intensive Portuguese language while living in a small tourist community in Brazil. Twelve Scholars traveled to Brasilia, Brazil and Parity, Brazil for a three week experience that incorporated language instruction with politics, culture, tourism and ecotourism. During their five day stay in Brasilia, students meet Brazilian political figures, toured several government buildings, interacted with State Department Staff personal at the US Embassy and attended lectures at the University of Brazil. While in Parity, students attended Portuguese classes each morning and spent the afternoons, practicing their language skills with the locals, hiking in the jungle and learning how varying groups of native Brazilians have learned to earn a living while sustaining the natural resources of their areas. Angelica Barrera, recent graduate notes, “Many of the residents of Paraty do not speak English so I was able to employ my language skills on a daily basis while learning new vocabulary and slang.