AC Closed December 24th - January 4th

Just a reminder that the American Corner will be closed from December 24th to January 4th. So if you want a new book please stop by before December 23rd to pick one out! Also, any books or DVDs will be due back after this time. Sorry for any inconvience this may cause you. See you next year!!

'Tis the Season

Want to learn more about Christmas and common Christmas traditions in America? Feel like building a gingerbread house? Need a break to socialize with friends? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need to come to the American Corner next Tuesday (December 22nd) at 4:00pm for a Holiday Social. There will be snacks, music, friends, and an opportunity to build a gingerbread house! Please stop by and feel free to bring a friend!

Interested in Economics??

If you are interested in economics or the global economic crisis, please join us at the American Corner next Thursday, December 17th at 4pm. Mr. Pete Davis, the Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy, will be in the AC to disscuss the crisis. In addition to his presentation, there will be a discussion and time for questions. Hope to see you next week!!

International Education Week at AMIDEAST

Stop by AMIDEAST for one of the many events happening for International Education Week. The schedule is as follows:

Monday, November 16
10:00-11:30: Graduate Study in the US
12:30-14:00: Humanities Programs in the US
14:30-16:00 – Athletic Scholarships
16:00-18:00 – (American Corner) Online Discussion with the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse

Tuesday, November 17
10:00-11:30: Undergraduate Study in the US
12:30-14:00: Engineering Programs
14:30-16:00: How to write a statement of purpose when applying to Masters programs in the United States
16:00-18:00 – (American Corner) Guest Speaker

Wednesday, November 18
10:00-11:30: Graduate Study in the US
12:30-14:00: Fine Arts Programs in the US
14:30-16:00: How to write a college essay when applying to American universities as an undergraduate student
16:00-18:00 – (Conference Room) - *Exchange Programs Presentation *participants must sign-up in advance


Thursday, November 19
10:00-11:30: Undergraduate Study in the US
12:30-14:00: MBA Programs
14:30-16:00 : How to write a CV and a Cover Letter
16:00-18:00 – (American Corner)
· 16:00-17:00: Discussion about Being a Student in the USA
· 17:00-18:00 Mock interviews


Friday, November 20
10:00-11:30: College Club
12:30-14:00: International Affairs Programs
14:30-16:00: College Search & Common Application
16:00-18:00 – (American Corner): Film, The Great Debaters.

*Events will be held in the Testing and Advising Department unless otherwise marked.

Pumpkin Carving at the AC!!

Have you ever carved a pumpkin? Are you intested in making a jack o'lantern? Well, if so, you're in luck! This Thursday (October 29th) at 4pm we will be carving pumpkins in the AC to celebrate Halloween. All supplies (including pumpkins) will be provided so all you have to do is show up!

Tunis International Film Festival

Have you heard the there in an internation film festival happening in Tunis right now!!! It started on Sept. 23 and finishes on Sunday, September 27th. Although there is a full schedule everyday, I would recommend the film Dear Lemon Lima to all of you. This film shows on Sunday, September 27th at 14:00 at the Alhambra Theatre in La Marsa. I hope you can all have the chance to see this great film!

Please Welcome Dr. Berger to the AC.....

On October 6th at 4:00pm the American Corner will welcome Dr. Arthur Berger to give a presentation about "Pop Culture" in America. Dr. Berger is the Professor Emeritus of Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts at San Francisco State University in California. He has also authored numerous books in this field. Topics for Tuesday's presentation will include media advertising, video games, and music in America.

Goodbye Summer.... Hello American Corner

As many of you head back to school, remember the AC is here for you! The AC welcomes you to come and study or just relax. The AC is back to normal hours (10am - 6pm) and we are waiting for you!! Don't forget to drop by the free english conversation (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4pm) or for the free film on Fridays at 4pm. Hope to see you soon!

Ramadan Kareem!

We at the American Corner want to take this opportunity to wish all of our friends and guests a joyous Ramadan! We will remain open during Ramadan from 9AM-4PM. If you wish to come to pick up a book to read, a film to watch, or to beat the heat, feel free to stop by.

Free Showing of "Good Night and Good Luck"

On Monday, August 17th at 10am there will be a free film showing of "Good Night and Good Luck." The film will be followed by a group discussion led by students from ISLT. Come join for a great film!!

Hurbert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Competition

The Humphery Fellowship is an opportunity for midcareer professionals (minimum 5 years experience) living outside the United States to go to the US for 10 months of study in an American University and to take part in an internship. The program is looking for professionals from different public sectors, including environmental policy/climate change, agricultural and rural development, economic development, banking, urban planning, and much more. The Fellowship covers all travel costs and program expenses in the US.

A minimum score of 525 on the TOEFL is required of applicants.

For the online application, visit http://apply.embark.com/student/humphrey/fellowship/
For more information, contact Ms. Faouzia Cheb Khadher at Benkhedherf@state.gov or 71-107-438

Welcome Mayssa!

Hi. My name’s Mayssa Chehata, and I’ll be working with Emily at the American Corner here in Tunis. My parents are both from Tunisia, but my sister and I were born and raised in the US. We live in Falls Church, the suburbs of DC, and while the city is only five or ten minutes away, Falls Church is extremely boring. We do have the 11th largest mall in the country down the street though, which I love but my dad hates. I graduated in June from George Mason High School, and will be attending the College of William & Mary in the fall. I plan on majoring in International Relations and Economics. In high school, I played varsity soccer and basketball. We won the soccer state championship in 2008 and 2009, and this year, 2009, we beat our rivals in the finals for basketball (!), winning the state championship. I like working out, shopping, and hanging out with friends. I love Tunisia, and we come every summer for the food and the beach. I’m so excited to be working here at the American Corner!

Summer Hours Start Wednesday!!

Beginning this Wednesday, July 1st, the American Corner will be open from 9 am to 4 pm. With the new hours comes a new schedule of events. Free English Conversation sessions will be held on Tuesday at 11 am and on Thursday at 2 pm. The free film on Fridays will be at 2 pm. Hope to see you there!!

Don't Forget the AC this Summer!

Now that school is over and you are free for the summer, remember that the AC is open and ready to make your summer vacation better! Stop by and check out a book to read on the beach or a film to watch on a late night. And for those of you who want to keep your English sharp, come to the AC for free English conversation on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4pm.

Check back in July for updated summer hours and weekly programs at the AC!

Are you concerned about peace in the Middle East?

Come watch the live streaming of what could be the most important part of President Obama’s tour of the Middle East. He will deliver a speech from Egypt where he is expected to make statements about moving forward in the Middle East peace process. Join us on June 4th at 11 am in Central Park to watch President Obama’s speech.

The Care and Feeding of Americans - Are you up to the task?

CHERCHONS FAMILLES D’ACCUEIL

Dans le cadre d’un programme d’échange, nous cherchons des familles intéressées d’accueillir un(e) étudiant(e) américain(e) chez elles du 29 mai au 30 juin 2009. Les étudiants participant à ce programme viennent en Tunisie pour suivre des cours d’arabe à AMIDEAST.

Les conditions exigées pour accueillir un étudiant chez soi sont les suivantes :

- La disponibilité d’une chambre individuelle

- La proximité d’un moyen de transport (Bus, Métro, Train…)

- La possibilité d’assurer un minimum de communication en anglais

Si vous êtes intéressés, vous trouverez un formulaire à remplir destiné aux éventuelles familles d’accueil à AMIDEAST.

Contact : Nada Ben Amor 24 59 89 89 / ndbenamor@amideast.org

Harvard Kennedy School of Government Information Session at the AC

The American Corner welcomes Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions, Alexandra Martinez, to deliver a presentation on the Harvard Kennedy School of Government TOMORROW at 4:00 pm. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in studying at one of America's most prestigious universities!

New Books

Many thanks to Dorothy Shea for her generous book donations. Come check out the new additions to our collection!

Hey Emily!

Hi! My name is Emily, and I am the new intern helping Margaret in the American Corner. I just graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this past December with a degree in sociology. I arrived in Tunis in January and have been helping out at a local organization for young business leaders. Now, I am excited to be working with AMIDEAST and having the opportunity to meet you all. Here are a few fun facts about me: my favourite Tunisian dish is soup with chorrbt lsen asfour, I love the Indiana Jones movies, and I can’t wait for summer so I can swim.

Bon Voyage Karl

Farewell AC users,

I regret to inform you that Friday, April 3 will be my final day as an AC intern. It’s finally time that I head back to the US to finish my undergraduate studies. I want to thank you all for showing me so much hospitality and helping me to feel truly at home here in Tunisia. I really enjoyed hanging out and getting to know some of you here at the AC. The American Corner isn’t only a place where Tunisians can find resources about English and American culture. It’s just as much a place where those of us who run the AC get the chance to experience and learn about Tunisian culture. I enjoyed your company and positive participation in my Free English Conversation sessions. I hope that in the future you all continue to visit the American Corner, because your enthusiasm and participation are what allow it to improve and expand. Tunisia is a unique country and, inshallah, I will return someday.

Take care,

Karl

Spring at the AC: We are here for you.

As nice as the warm weather is, we know those of you who are students are dreading the final exams looming in the next couple of months. We at the American Corner would like to take the opportunity to remind you NOT TO PANIC! Studying can be fun - come to the AC for a quiet place to work. Bring some snacks. Stick around for Free English or a Friday film. Relax. You'll make it. We are here for you.

"Beyond Google" Thursday, February 5 at 2:00 pm

This presentation is a must for students, computer fans, and anyone else who would like easier and more complete access to information online! Google is one of the most popular search engines in the world and a recognizable brand name among peoples of all ages who use the Internet. But is it necessarily our best friend? State Department Information Resource Officer Henry Mendelsohn will present a lecture that argues that an Internet searcher must often go beyond Google to achieve the best search results. He will explain in easy to understand terms how the Google search engine works and why it is not always the best tool to use to browse the ‘net.

Henry Mendelsohn is the Regional Information Resource Officer, U.S. Embassy Cairo, Egypt since September, 2008. His responsibilities include direct supervision of the U.S. Embassy’s Information Resource Center and he serves as a regional consultant for U.S. embassy and consulate Information Resource Centers and American Corner libraries in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Syria and Israel.

Watch Obama's Inaguration at the AC

Come to the American Corner at 6:00 pm on Tuesday evening watch the Presidential Inaguration streamed live from Washington DC. The ceremony will feature performances by musicians and poets, and most importantly, President Obama's inagural address - the speech that to will set out the vision and tone for his administration.

Special Event: An Invitation from the Testing and Advising Center

Just a note to remind you that this Friday, January 16^th, at 3:00 PM, AMIDEAST will host representatives from MIT’s College Admissions Arab Mentorship Program (CAAMP) to meet with students to discuss and answer questions about college admissions processes and opportunities to pursue higher education in the U.S.A. CAAMP is a student-run initiative that seeks to create support networks and offer counsel to students aspiring to study in US colleges and universities. The seminar, which will take the form of a presentation followed by a question and answer period, will take place in the AMIDEAST conference room (main building).

For more information about CAAMP, visit their website at www.mitcaamp.com or contact them at camp@mit.edu.

New Intern at the AC

The American Corner is open again after the holiday break. Everything is running normally so make sure to stop in for Free English Conversation Hour and Free Film Fridays. This month's theme is "Indiana Jones."

"Hi, My name is Karl Metzger. I'm the new intern at AMIDEAST, here to help out Margaret in the American Corner. I'm from Milwaukee, Wisconsin where I also study at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I'm a Global studies major focusing on the Middle East and North Africa. Prior to my recent arrival in Tunis, I studied for four months at the American University in Cairo. Since leaving the US last August I have had the opportunity to travel through Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank. I'm greatly looking forward to acquainting myself with Tunisia now and getting to know those of you who frequent the American Corner. Please feel free to stop in and introduce yourselves."