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A New Policy Promotes Public Health and Faith Leaders to Jointly Prepare for Future Health Crises

Posted on April 29, 2024, modified on April 30, 2024 by Kristin Law

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitancy poses significant challenges to public health efforts worldwide, continuing to put people at risk of contracting preventable diseases like polio, HPV, measles, and influenza. At this critical juncture, based on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Public Health Association (APHA) has endorsed a new policy. Acknowledging the vital role faith leaders play in influencing their communities, this policy, developed and coauthored by eight experts including Dr. Inon Schenker, an NYU Tel Aviv lecturer, calls for wider engagement of public health leaders with faith-based organizations to improve public health and vaccine equity. The authors studied instances of collaboration between public health and religious leaders and found positive results, particularly in underserved, marginalized, and hard-to-reach populations.

Dr. Schenker, a public health specialist with over 20 years of experience in research and practice in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, explains, “The policy reflects a fresh perspective on connecting faith and public health. Faith leadership—priests, rabbis, imams—are highly respected in their respective communities. The trust and influencing power over large cadres of people they wield can make a difference in pandemic preparedness and response.” Dr. Schenker’s diverse background in public health, with experience working with the World Health Organization, civil society organizations, and the private sector, underscores the importance of combining practical experience with academic insights—a philosophy deeply embedded in the NYU ethos. This is also the third time he is leading APHA teams to develop endorsed global health policies.

Two women and four men seated, in discussion. Signage in the background includes various religious symbols.

Jewish, Muslim, and Christian participants in a panel on interfaith collaboration with public health experts held in Karlsruhe, Germany, underscore the important roles religious leaders have in promoting vaccination and supporting community health.
Photo Credit: Julia M/JIVI

Turning Recommendations into Results

Dr. Schenker emphasizes the importance of spreading awareness about the new policy and translating its recommendations into action items. He urges prompt implementation to address pressing health challenges, better prepare for future pandemics, and improve overall health equity. Some of the policy’s recommendations include engaging in ongoing dialogue with religious organizations to develop strategies for the local and global levels; identifying areas where public health and religious leaders can collaborate to protect life and prevent disease; investing in faith-based vaccination initiatives and culturally appropriate messaging; launching religious organization–led programs to reach those who are vaccine hesitant; and training faith leaders to work with public health leaders and vice versa.

Drawing on real-life examples, Dr. Schenker shares past success stories, like a recent initiative in Jerusalem where religious leaders came together to endorse collaboration between faith communities and public health agencies. He also participates in ongoing research efforts in Israel, such as using mosques as hubs for community centers for older adults and for health-promotion interventions.

Inspiring Better Outcomes

Overall, the new policy underscores the potential for pragmatic collaboration between faith-based organizations and public health authorities to tackle vaccine hesitancy, bolster emergency preparedness, and respond to urban health issues. Through mutual respect and a shared vision, these partnerships have the power to drive meaningful change and promote better health outcomes for all.

Sixteen men wearing masks and religious garb standing together

The President of Israel convened a meeting of faith leaders in Jerusalem to cosign a declaration calling for faith communities worldwide to collaborate with the medical profession on public health issues. Pictured above: The Latin Patriarch, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa; The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III; The Anglican Archbishop, Dr. Hossam Na’um; The President of the Muslim Shari’a Court of Appeals, Sheikh Abed Elhakim Samara; The Druze Community Leader, Sheikh Mouwafaq Tarrif; The Secretary General of the Baha’i Movement in Israel, Dr. David Rutstein; The Rishon LeZion, Chief (Sephardi) Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef; The Chief (Ashkenazi) Rabbi of Israel, President of the Supreme Rabbinical Court, Rabbi David Lau
Photo Credit: Koby Gideon/GPO

Written by Kelsey Rexroat

NYU Prague: Day in the Life

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Kristin Law

Follow Music Business major Antonio, a junior at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, as he shares a typical day studying at NYU Prague, including insight into his internship at the Bohuslav Martinů Institute, where he helps preserve the Czech composer’s body of work.

Meeting Point

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Kristin Law

Connecting NYU and the public through the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute

In 2008—two years before NYU Abu Dhabi welcomed its inaugural class—NYU established a presence in the city to begin building awareness about the type of events and dialogues the local community could expect the institution to host. The NYU Abu Dhabi Institute was a chance to create a relationship with the public, offering a space to address global challenges and contribute to a growing ecosystem of cultural institutions in the area.

Today, the institute is a center of advanced research as well as scholarly and creative activity. Its public programs and academic conferences bring together academics, professionals, and leaders from around the world to discuss research areas and topics of local and global significance. With some 45 public discussions and more than 25 academic conferences over the course of the year, the institute offers NYU a unique chance to give back to the intellectual culture of Abu Dhabi.

“We feature a range of topics that reflect the diversity of this global university, and we offer a space to talk about these complex problems from a variety of different perspectives,” says Senior Director of the Institute Maurice Pomerantz. “It’s a chance for our colleagues in Abu Dhabi to connect with colleagues from around the world and also speak not only to the standard academic audience but to professionals and policymakers from the larger community. A key part of our mission is to show the world the relevance of the modern university.”

Programs typically center on a theme connected to the global challenges of the moment; many of last year’s lectures focused on the environment, and upcoming ones will address artificial intelligence. Presenters often have multidisciplinary backgrounds, with knowledge that bridges fields, as well as experience in both academia and the broader world. Some discussions are in English and some are in Arabic, and the audience often includes NYU students and faculty, professionals, local school members, and families with children. The institute also hosts a series of lectures and events at NYU’s Washington Square campus. Last year alone, the institute led more than 30 events there.

Lectures encompass a variety of subjects and perspectives—one week a Booker Prize winner and an expert on Afghan music traditions may present, then the next week may feature a filmmaker who focuses on refugees’ stories. The institute archives past discussions on its YouTube channel, so anyone in the world can join the conversation. There are also numerous opportunities for students to participate, such as recommending faculty, helping with question and answer sessions at events, and much more.

In addition, the institute hosts peer reviewed academic conferences that can be proposed by faculty anywhere across NYU’s global network. The conferences advance NYU’s culture of research and offer a venue to many annual meetings of scholarly and academic societies from around the world. Regional and international conferences across most academic fields turn to the institute for specialized academic forums that discuss cultural, historical, artistic, and scientific themes.

“The institute is a rare opportunity to directly combine a public mission and a research mission,” Pomerantz says. “It’s a luxury to have a series of live talks and conferences today, especially ones that are relevant locally and meaningful on a global scale. I think this has really become something of a treasure here in Abu Dhabi.”

Written by Sarah Bender

Around the World in 97 Years: A Brief History of NYU’s Global Network

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Kristin Law

Long before study abroad was a rite of passage for curious students, NYU recognized the many merits of an international education. While the University founded its first study away site in 1958, Professor James E. Lough took 350 NYU students on a for-credit sailing trip around the world back in 1926, an experience he dubbed the “Floating University.” Tamson Pietsch, associate professor in social and political sciences and director of the Australian Centre for Public History at the University of Technology Sydney, detailed this little known journey in her recent book, The Floating University: Experience, Empire, and the Politics of Knowledge.

“NYU actually ran the very first study abroad program for academic credit in the United States and the world,” Pietsch asserted in a recent discussion facilitated by NYU’s Dr. Jini Kim Watson, professor of English and comparative literature and faculty liaison at NYU Sydney. During their conversation, Pietsch shared her work with Dana Burde, associate professor of international education at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, and Shirin Nadira, assistant director of the NYU Office of Global Awards.

NYU Madrid

Pietsch’s book details the fascinating history of this educational experiment as well as its implications for higher education. “A contest emerged in the 1920s between expertise and experience as the foundation of knowledge claims about the world,” she explains. For eight months, 350 students and another 150 crew members traversed the globe on a ship, taking a variety of courses and disembarking at nearly 50 ports. Much like NYU’s global network today, the advertising materials lauded the voyage as an opportunity for students to “develop the ability to think in world terms through firsthand contact with places, people, and problems.” Indeed, students met recognizable figures such as Gandhi and the Pope. “The basis of the voyage was that you can teach students to be global citizens at sea—you can teach worldly-mindedness,” says Pietsch. However, the press covered students’ antics as much as their learning, and it would be some years before NYU students once more studied abroad.

NYU Paris

More than three decades later, in 1958, NYU established the first academic center in its global network, NYU Madrid. There, students hone their Spanish language skills while immersing themselves in the Spanish capital’s vibrant culture. Then, in 1969, NYU Paris became the second site, founded as a center for immersive French language study. Today, students from a diversity of fields come together to visit world-renowned museums and key historical sites while getting the opportunity to supplement their coursework with classes at French universities. In the years that followed, the NYU community established a dozen additional global sites, including two degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.

As our world fractures, reconnects, and evolves, NYU’s global network has continued to grow and change. “In a way, I think that not much has changed,” concludes Pietsch. “The form of encountering engagement with the world does that same work of helping students understand the place of their nation in the international order.”

Written by Dana Guterman

The New Now Summit: Informing and Inspiring NYU Los Angeles Students

Posted on January 22, 2024 by Kristin Law

Last semester NYU Los Angeles presented The New Now Summit, bringing actors, writers, educators, artists, executives, and creative technologists together to discuss the future of filmed content and how technological, societal, and market forces will affect it.

Alex Winter, Oscar Sharp, Lindsay Nuon, Gabriel Barcia-Colombo and Dan O’ Sullivan seated onstage in conversation.

Tisch alumni, filmmaker and actor Alex Winter moderates a panel entitled AI Created Entertainment, Inherent Bias and Opportunities for Change, featuring Tisch alum Oscar Sharp, cybersecurity expert, Lindsay Nuon, and Tisch faculty Gabriel Barcia-Colombo and Dan O’ Sullivan.

NYU Los Angeles sponsored the event with help from a Global Opportunity Grant awarded by the Office of Global Programs. With additional funding from the NYU Alliance for Public Interest Technology, the NYU site felt that they could produce and facilitate an event to meet the moment(s) of the evolving Hollywood landscape. From technological influences on storytelling and inclusive representation to the value and exploitation of intellectual property (IP), the NYU Los Angeles team knew what they wanted conversations to focus on. The summit addressed several driving questions: How can diverse voices be supported and amplified if prebranded or known IP is necessary to break through the media clutter? If tech is created with the inherent biases of humans, how can it be inclusive? And, with these things in mind, how can one ethically work with technology in creative industries?

The summit audience, seated, clapping and smiling.

Fall 2023 NYU Los Angeles students in the audience

Thought leaders from NYU’s campus in New York City, including Dr. Charlton McIlwain, vice provost and professor of media, culture, and communication at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; Gabriel Barcia-Colombo, associate arts professor in the Interactive Telecommunications Program at the Tisch School of the Arts; and Dan O’Sullivan, associate dean of the Tisch Institute of Emerging Media, were among panelists who informed and inspired audience members. In fact, much of the audience were students from the NYU Los Angeles fall 2023 cohort. For Zoë Bolden, a Film and Television major, the most impactful panelist was Kelly Mi Li. “It was interesting to hear how she took an idea she had in 2013 and turned it into the Bling Empire, which premiered in 2021,” Zoë says. “It was inspiring to see how she never gave up on her idea. My favorite piece of advice was when she said you should always stay true to a project that you have created.”

Though the industry is ever-changing and challenging, students left the event emboldened for the future. Luke Nguyen, an NYU Abu Dhabi student majoring in Film and New Media, says he learned that “Opportunities will always show up when I show up. Don’t be afraid to fail; we get better when we fail. Know that failure is taking us where we need to be.” Zoe Stevens, a Theatre major from Tisch, adds, “There will be a lot of ‘nos’ before ‘yes.’ I have to fight for the rooms I am supposed to be in. I can start that by surrounding myself with good people who lift me.”

Repurposed and edited with permission by NYU Los Angeles

NYU Celebrates International Education Week

Posted on November 27, 2023, modified on November 27, 2023 by Kristin Law

This month NYU joined universities around the United States as hosts of a plethora of events and celebrations during International Education Week (IEW), highlighting the many benefits international education presents students across the globe. “NYU is a leader in this field, so it’s essential that we communicate the importance of international education to both our students and the wider community,” says Jonathan Maynard, assistant director of study away student outreach at the Office of Global Programs (OGP). According to the 2023 Institute of International Education’s Open Doors report, NYU is ranked No. 3 in the nation for the number of US students sent to study around the globe. “These events highlight the work we’ve been doing for a long time,” he shares.

This year OGP kicked off the annual celebration with one of the marquee events, the Study Away Opportunities Fair. Taking place each fall, the fair provides students the opportunity to learn about each of NYU’s 14 additional study away sites. OGP, student global ambassadors, and academic advisers from across the University staff the fair, prepared to answer any student questions.

Jiayi Zhang, a global ambassador and Linguistics and Latin American and Caribbean Studies double major at the College of Arts and Science (CAS), studied away at NYU Buenos Aires. She was at the site’s booth during the fair, fielding questions from her fellow students.

“I get to talk all about my personal experience in Buenos Aires, which was amazing,” Jiayi says from behind a table donned with an Argentine flag, stickers, pictures, and information about the global site. “Just now, a student asked me about housing. I told her I lived in a homestay, and she didn’t know that was an option. Now she’s really interested in that.”

For students who haven’t studied away, the fair offers a comfortable but engaging environment for them to learn about the global sites while talking to others who have had the experience.

“Since I’m studying politics and public health, NYU Washington, DC, is my first choice,” says Andres Piccinoni, a junior at CAS. “Although I did preliminary research, I really wanted to talk to someone about what it’s like in Washington, DC, and how to get internships there.”

Andres says he also stopped by the NYU Madrid, NYU Florence, and NYU Shanghai booths to learn more about what they have to offer. “Studying away is a great opportunity to get in touch with other cultures,” he adds. “The fair gave me an inkling of what it’s like to connect with a culture I’m not very familiar with and how that could help me gain new perspectives.”

In addition to the fair, OGP hosts the Global Engagement Symposium, a nexus of undergraduate student presenters sharing their accomplishments from studying away. Students presented their global-focused research and experiences at the symposium, which ran simultaneously with the fair. Topics ranged from ancient Indian literature and global climate research to unique volunteer opportunities at NYU sites.

“When students go abroad, we want their experience to go beyond the classroom,” says Maynard. “We want them to find deeper experiences as they explore these cultures. Through research, internships, and volunteering, they meet new people and see a side of a city they normally wouldn’t get to see. The symposium is an amazing way for them to present these experiences. The work they’re doing is really impressive.”

Throughout IEW, the University hosted daily events focused on global learning. Students took part in trivia and comedy nights and engaged in lectures and workshops. The week also included a keynote address from Dr. Rajika Bhandari, an international higher education expert and a scholar–practitioner with over 25 years of experience in researching student mobility and delivering data-driven insights; monitoring, evaluating, and studying the impact of international education programs; and shaping thought leadership strategy in the nonprofit, private, and higher education sectors. Dr. Bhandari is also author of her award-winning memoir, America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility.

“International Education Week at NYU is unique because we’re not just talking about the students who come to the United States from overseas, we’re also talking about the experience our students have in other cultures when they study away,” says Chris Nicolussi, assistant vice president of global network student services and planning at OGP. “There are so many great presentations, talks, and student-led forums. It’s a uniquely NYU perspective on global education.”

Written by Kelly Stewart

The Global Leadership Program at NYU Washington, DC, Prepares Students to Become Ethical and Inclusive Change-Makers

Posted on November 6, 2023, modified on November 13, 2023 by Kristin Law

Each semester, the Global Leadership Program at NYU Washington, DC, welcomes select undergraduates for an intensive course designed to cultivate their strengths as leaders. “We provide students the ability to recognize not only how their strengths fit into an organization or a career field but also how the strengths of others are critical to their own success,” says Kari Miller, the program director of NYU Washington, DC. “The concept of global leadership has evolved to recognize diverse talents from different backgrounds, countries, and disciplines.”

A Semester of Theory, Application, and Growth

The Meaning of Leadership course is the heart of the program, and it is often a catalyst for students’ experiences. Lindani Zungu, an NYU Abu Dhabi senior studying political science and government, recalls one pivotal moment: “We discussed how to facilitate collaboration through psychological safety, meaning an open exchange of ideas, free from the fear of retribution or embarrassment,” he explains. “The discussion deepened our sense of community and underscored the immense value of this program.” In addition to academics, students engage in collaborative group projects; individual and group mentoring; special events like lectures, networking opportunities, trips, and workshops; and internships.

For Stefan Mitikj, an NYU Abu Dhabi senior double-majoring in Political Science and Social Research and Public Policy, the program clarified his career aspirations. “I bridged the gap between theory and real-world application and gained a practical and nuanced understanding of leadership and fields such as communications, education, international relations, and journalism,” he says.

An Ideal Place to Learn to Lead

Victoria Kiechel serves as a student and program adviser at NYU Washington, DC, and notes how the city adds considerable depth to the curriculum. “Leadership examples of all styles, and in all disciplines and scales of action—international, national, and local—are here. How power and leadership relate to one another is a constant theme in this town, which provides daily opportunities as well as cautionary tales to learn best practices.”

Avery Farino, a senior double-majoring in History and Politics at the College of Arts and Science (CAS), recognized the opportunity to explore her interests alongside public service. “The Global Leadership Program helped me understand the value of hands-on experience and networking in formulating leadership skills,” she remarks. Enzo Repetto, also a senior CAS Politics major, adds, “The program’s support network means you find yourself on the cutting edge of new developments happening across the country in a variety of fields.”

Nominate a Future Scholar

Matthew S. Santirocco, faculty director at NYU Washington, DC, and one of the program’s creators, has great aspirations for the Global Leadership Program and is proud of what it’s accomplished thus far. “Since its inception, the program has attracted bright and ambitious change-makers. Our hope is to attract even more students with diverse interests and leadership potential.”

If you would like to suggest an exceptional student, please fill out the nomination form. Students are also welcome to apply without recommendations.

Written by Auzelle Epeneter

Prague Internships

Posted on October 16, 2023, modified on November 27, 2023 by Kristin Law

NYU Prague students share their favorite moments from internships during their time studying away.

Three smiling NYU students face a group of children

NYU Prague students teach Czech elementary school students English through the Prague Elementary program.

Prague Elementary
This program brings native English users into Prague elementary schools to help children learn English.

“My best memory was helping the students gain the confidence to perform a play in English! Many of the students felt out of place because they were experiencing something new, but it was heartwarming watching them come out of their shells.”
—Emily Tsao, Music Education, Class of 2025

“When one of the kids gave me a drawing of their family. It was so sweet and reminded me of my own.”
—Lina Wang, Business, Class of 2024

Organization for Aid to Refugees (OPU)
Since 1991, this nonprofit and nongovernmental organization has supported refugees in the Czech Republic. OPU offers free legal and social counseling, training programs for professionals, and other activities to welcome and integrate refugees. Fighting against xenophobia and racial and ethnic intolerance is one of their main goals.

“Organizing a Holi event for the kids and watching them decorate bags, color, and get their faces painted!”
—Ela Kulkarni, Global Liberal Studies, Class of 2025

CEE Bankwatch Network
CEE Bankwatch Network is a global network of 15 member groups and 13 countries working to prevent environmentally and socially harmful international development as well as promote alternative solutions and community input.

“Writing a case study on a hydropower plant in Serbia!”
—Molly Bombard, Public Policy, Class of 2024

Memory of Nations’ High School
Opened in 2021, the Memory of Nations’ High School focuses on modern history, social and media education, practical journalism, world languages, and other humanities subjects. In addition to partnering with NYU Prague, the high school works with Sokolov Grammar School and the Higher Vocational School of Journalism.

“It’s hard to come up with a specific moment, but I’m fortunate enough to have developed a kind of relationship where we’re open and sharing about our personal lives. The students feel like my mini-therapists sometimes.”
—Emily Yang, Sociology, Class of 2024

STEM Classes in the Global Network

Posted on September 25, 2023, modified on November 27, 2023 by Kristin Law

Study away has long been a draw for students of art, language, and history. But at NYU, the chance to explore another country and make progress in their major isn’t just for humanities students.

Classes for Every Academic Path

Lion statues and fountain in Trafalgar Square

Many prehealth students find it easy to take courses at NYU London.

In NYU’s global network, prehealth and science students can find classes abroad that align with their specific degree requirements. “A major factor that pushed me to go abroad was the ability to take General Physics I, Intro to Psychology, and other core classes for my major and College of Arts and Science requirements while being able to enjoy myself and make good memories,” says Maame Mensah-Bonsu, a Neural Science major who studied at NYU London. Prehealth students at NYU London can stay on track for medical school with science and math courses accepted at all American Medical College Application Service® medical schools in the United States, through a curriculum that also offers Organic Chemistry I.

At NYU Tel Aviv, a partnership with Tel Aviv University means students have access to fully equipped lab facilities.

At NYU Tel Aviv, students can take chemistry, public health, and biology classes like Principles of Biology I, Molecular and Cell Biology II, and Epidemiology for Global Health. Mathematics, computer science, and economics are also represented at NYU London and other global academic sites like NYU Paris. And starting in spring 2024, NYU Accra will offer Global Perspectives of Women’s Health and Human Rights in Africa, a nursing course that examines the major social, cultural, and environmental forces affecting women in Africa.

Furthermore, NYU Abu Dhabi’s degree-granting campus offers more than 650 courses across 26 majors, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) paths. “I loved how small our class was as well as how hands-on the lab experiments were,” says Nashely Fajardo, a Civil Engineering major, of NYU Abu Dhabi. “The STEM options at NYU Abu Dhabi fit perfectly into my academic path,” she adds. And NYU Shanghai, another degree-granting campus, includes a curriculum covering mathematics, science, and algorithmic thinking.

Class seated around a table in front of a large green screen

NYU Shanghai also offers many courses in interactive media, including this class on motion capture.

High Standards, at Home and Abroad

Lena Olson, a preveterinary Biology major who studied at both NYU London and NYU Berlin, wishes more STEM students knew studying away will not set them back academically. “We tend to get so caught up in the intensive requirements of our major and think we will get behind if we leave our home campus,” Lena says. “However, by simply rearranging the order of courses, everyone is more than capable of studying away.”

Students will receive the same high-quality learning experiences studying away as they would at their home campus. For example, organic chemistry, biology, and physics courses at NYU London match the New York City campus’ departments lecture-for-lecture and lab-for-lab. “Taking a physics course in London was one of the best choices I’ve ever made,” Maame says. “The class was small so I had the opportunity to form relationships with my instructor and peers.”

Unforgettable Experiences

Among other offerings, computer science is a highlight at NYU Paris.

Brooke Forester, a Biochemistry and French major, took advantage of cultural offerings for students during her time at NYU Paris. “The many incredible activities offered through NYU are great ways to see France and meet new people within the NYU Paris community,” she says. “For example, I went on a trip to Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley, and I had an amazing time and met incredible people.” Elvira Wang, a Biochemistry major, participated in similar experiences while studying at NYU London. “The cultural program offers a lot of day trips during weekends and free tickets for famous musicals as well,” she says. “Moreover, every week my physics professor would send us cultural activities related to physics.”

Studying away gives you a chance to explore new surroundings and make global connections. “It is a unique opportunity to be exposed to different cultures. At NYU London, I met a lot of people and explored a lot of London along with other European cities,” says Traman Gupta, a Computer Engineering major. “It’s overall just an amazing experience.”

Students Confront the Water Crisis Through Experiential Learning in the Himalayas

Posted on May 23, 2023, modified on May 23, 2023 by Kristin Law

Photograph by Constantinos Sofikitis

All around us, there are signs the world is rapidly warming. But the Himalayas, which experiences floods and avalanches that could plunge the 2.5 billion people who rely on the mountains for freshwater into crisis, is a region under constant threat. Now, as part of NYU Abu Dhabi’s eARThumanities research initiative, the Geopolitics and Ecology of Himalayan Water (GEHW) project seeks to address the multitude of challenges the Himalayas encounters due to climate change.

Students hiking in the Haatiban Resort. Photograph by Harry Jang.

This winter two January Term (J Term) classes—The Media, Climate Change and Other Calamities and The Himalayas: Geopolitics and Ecology of Melting Mountains—explored the environmental, geopolitical, and cultural implications of climate change. After learning about the subjects in the classroom, students flew to the Nepal Himalayas to witness these changes directly and begin to work toward solutions.

“The trip itself was the highlight of the J Term because students were asked to travel as scholars and researchers, not as tourists,” says Sophia Kalantzakos, the founder of eARThumanities and Global Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Public Policy. “We had a vast array of different experts who came to speak to us about the issues at hand, but we also wanted the students to fall in love with the mountains and the region. We had an opportunity to use all our senses in ways you’re not able to when stuck in a classroom.”

Four people seated at a table on a stage

A panel at one of the conferences students attended. Photograph by Constantinos Sofikitis.

In Nepal NYU Abu Dhabi students combined scientific research and conferences while also immersing themselves in culture and place. Research affiliate and GEHW founding member Rastraraj Bhandari, NYU Abu Dhabi Class of 2019, adds, “The foundational thing that students were able to gather is how the climate crisis and the water crisis impact every sector and every field. It’s deeply rooted in how we live. Incorporating the humanities into understanding a scientific problem allows us to humanize the crises.”

Two women in head scarves hold up paintings

Students display their paintings at the Taragaon Art Museum. Photograph by Constantinos Sofikitis.

For Sophie Pfisterer, a first-year student interested in film and sustainability, the experience was life-changing. “It was a combination of everything I was interested in, and the trip itself was just incredible because I felt like I connected with one of my passions every day,” she says. One day they visited a farming initiative seeking environmentally friendly and culturally sensitive solutions to improve the quality of life in alpine villages. The next day, they attended a conference with experts including the British ambassador to Nepal, a filmmaker, the CEO of the World Wildlife Fund Nepal, and an ornithologist. “It was this incredible way of learning so much because it meant something to me and I knew I’d use it. That’s different from learning something for a test. With that—once you’re done—you lose that information because it doesn’t mean anything to you.”

Federico Jannelli, a recent graduate who majored in Economics and minored in Arabic, traveled to Nepal to better understand the multidisciplinary ramifications of the crises. “As an Economics major, it was interesting to understand more about the strong economic relationship and financial links between Nepal and the United Arab Emirates,” he explains. “Professor Kalantzakos did a great job linking the concerns of the various stakeholders. She highlighted the need for cooperation. We urgently need to tackle these problems, but the solution isn’t just to have high-ranking diplomats and politicians sit at a roundtable and discuss solutions. We need to involve people who are experiencing the consequences of these crises every day.”

A group poses for the camera with mountains in the background

January Term students and faculty. Photograph by Constantinos Sofikitis.

Global Dimensions