Alex

I’d like to thank all of the staff of the Centre of Arabic and Islamic Studies for their excellent teaching, support and attention so far in my course. Their expertise, attitude and enthusiasm has made me very happy with my decision to study at ANU.

I chose ANU as it is one of the few Australian universities to offer a world class postgraduate degree in Middle Eastern studies. Not only is it ranked in the top 10 universities in this field, being situated in Canberra offers students many extra opportunities for career development and networking.
I enrolled in the Master of Middle East and Central Asian Studies to add depth to the broad knowledge of the region I had built in my undergraduate degree and time spent travelling the region. The courses available in the degree deliver a nuanced and detailed education in the most pressing matters of the Middle East and it’s relations to the wider world.
ANU also offered the best opportunities for studying the languages of the region, Arabic, Persian and Turkish. After studying Arabic in Jordan previously I understood how important language skills were in understanding the region and wanted a degree that would help me further those skills.
In an increasingly competitive employment market, having either significant experience as an intern or a postgraduate degree is becoming increasingly necessary in distinguishing yourself from other candidates. As I am at an early stage in my career I chose to acquire the MA as it will enable me to enter the job market at a higher level after only 1.5 years of study.
After graduating from the MMECAS program I will be looking to find a professional role in the public or private sector that uses the research skills and specialist knowledge I have gained
from my studies. I would preferably like to work in the Arab world in order to continue using Arabic in daily life.

Alex
Master of Middle East and Central Asian Studies

Updated:  5 November 2019/Responsible Officer:  Centre Director/Page Contact:  CASS Marketing & Communications