Ashley Macpherson

Biography

There’s no better method to study a language than within a native country. During the summer of 2015, Ashley MacPherson had the opportunity to study international politics and the Arabic language in the country of Jordan through the ISA exchange program led by Utah State University. Everyday, she bused from the student housing complex into Amman University where she would listen to lectures from local professors on Middle Eastern politics and Arabic language learning.

One of the best parts about studying abroad for her wasn’t necessarily the phenomenal learning opportunities in class, but the experiences from simply being in a foreign country. Ashley’s program offered multiple excursions to various parts of Jordan. She gained valuable new insight on the plight of international refugees by visiting a camp outside of Amman, where government oversight was sparse and central planning was non-existent. Other excursions took her to the Dead Sea and Petra, where students could visit cultural heritage sites outside of the rigid structure of a classroom.

During the same summer, Ashley secured a position with the US Department of State where she coordinated Islam and Middle Eastern courses for the foreign service institute to prepare officers for positions abroad. The short commute from her apartment in Georgetown gave her plenty of time to experience the museums, nightlife, and activities in Washington DC. The internship was an opportunity to participate in real-world application of the international studies degree as well as network with professionals in her field of interest, giving her valuable insight into the type of work available after graduation.