Nineteen University of Arkansas at Little Rock students recently returned from the National University Model Arab League Conference held at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., March 28 to 30.

The trip, supported by the UALR Middle Eastern Studies Program, is part of an upper-level political science course. This year’s student delegation as the largest in four years.

UALR junior Nora Bouzihay, currently in her second year as secretary for the UALR chapter, was selected to serve as the National Model Arab League Assistant Secretary General for next year.

Bouzihay, a biology pre-med major, said her work with Arab League has inspired her to minor in International Studies/Middle Eastern Studies.

“Being part of this organization, I have been able to network and have found a passion for diplomacy I never realized I had,” she said. “I have learned so much about myself and have improved many different personal skills.”

Bouzihay and the other students were accompanied by Dr. Rebecca Glazier, assistant professor of political science at UALR. The students included in their itinerary a two-hour visit at the embassy of Iraqi Ambassador to the U.S. Lukman Failyand where they met the ambassador and his staff and a member of the Saudi royal family.

During the conference, senior Miguel Lopez represented Iraq on the Heads of State Committee. As part of a crisis committee simulation, Lopez worked with senior Scott Foster, who represented the Syrian Defense Minister.

In the simulation, participants were allowed to publish press releases, give orders to military forces, issue agency directives, and even engage in espionage, assassinations, or terrorism in order to advance a particular position.

The purpose was to create a stressful political or military situation with an element of a critical timing for the students. The scenario was created by Middle East scholars participating in the the conference.

“My goal is to one day be a U.S. diplomat in the Middle East, so this, for me, was a perfect fit. We were the only university from Arkansas represented at the national level, and that, I think, is something every student should be proud of,” Lopez said.

Lopez credits his Middle Eastern study as among the most unique experiences of his time at UALR. He said it has enabled him to travel and learn more about diplomacy and the governments of the Middle East.

Foster, a political science major at UALR, said preparing to attend the conferences requires an intense study of people and governments that develops profound knowledge of a particular country or leader’s military capabilities, economic situation, foreign policy, and cultural mores.

He said he became involved in the Arab League because he sought to diversify his educational experiences at UALR. At least half of his courses concern foreign policy and governments. He chose two courses on the Model Arab League and European Union because he believed these represented two areas at epicenters for world-changing events.

“I would highly recommend international studies courses and the Model Arab League course to all students at UALR,” Foster said. “It broadens the horizons of students and exposes them to knowledge about parts of the world that will only continue to grow in importance over time.”

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