The College of International Studies is offering students a new chance to journey to the Middle East.

The new study abroad program, “Journey to the Middle East”, will take students to Turkey and Israel, accompanied by three OU faculty members; Ariel Ahram, Pakize Pulat and Babur Pulat.

Under the care and instruction of Ahram, Pulat and Pulat, participating students will travel to Istanbul and Jerusalem while earning course credit.

Throughout their four weeks abroad, students will be expected to keep journals about their daily activities and thoughts, as well as completing two research papers, according to the course syllabus.

Historic sites such as the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, and the Temple of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem are included in the trip’s itinerary.

Pakize and Barbur Pulat will supervise the Turkish portion of the trip while teaching “The Riches of Turkey”, as students explore Istanbul, according to the course syllabus. During their time in Turkey, students will stay at the Koç University and work on their first research paper on their discoveries.

After students arrive in Israel, they will be under the care of Ahram, who will teach “Journey to the Middle East: Israel, Democracy, and the Dilemma of Multiculturalism,” according to the syllabus. As students Hebrew University, they will be assigned a short essay and their final research project.

Students of all majors are encouraged to look into the program, Education Abroad Director Alice Kloker said in an email .

“The greater diversity of majors this program attracts, the stronger the program will be,” Kloker said.

Course participation is limited to 20 students, and all students who apply will be charged a $35 non-refundable application fee that does not guarantee a spot in the program, according to the College of International Studies website.

“Journey to the Middle East” costs approximately $5,000 and includes all activities and excursions in the program, as well as in-country transportation, lodging and most meals, Kloker said.

The price does not include international airfare, passport fees and personal expenses.

Scholarships are available for “Journey to the Middle East,” and participants are encouraged to apply for the Presidential International Travel Fellowship.

In addition, each participating student will be awarded a $500 scholarship, according to the website.

Applications for the “Journey to the Middle East” program are available online