Tunisian Hassan Srafi presents the findings of his senior thesis at the “Women, Democracy & Media” workshop.
A year ago, Mohamed Aziz Ben Ameur and Mehdi Ben Hamza had little idea where Ohio was, and would never have considered packing their bags to leave Tunisia and study in the United States.
Then both traveled to Bowling Green State University (BGSU) to take part in workshops funded by the U.S. – Middle East University Partnerships Program between BGSU and the Institute de Presse et des Sciences de l’Information (IPSI).
“Students like Mehdi and Aziz now are excited about the possibility open to them to get an education in Ohio and return to Tunisia to work,” according to Dr. Catherine Cassara, Associate Professor at BGSU.
The intensive three-week workshop on "Women, Democracy & Media" engaged students from both institutions in discussions about topics including persistent negative stereotypes both regions hold about the other that are perpetuated by mainstream media.
Photo: Dr. Catherine Cassara