AUK students travel to Iceland

A group of twenty-five students from the American University of Kuwait will be spending their spring vacation studying the impact of the world financial crisis on Iceland. As most readers will know all of Iceland's banks failed last fall. The Icelandic Government moved to support the depositors by nationalizing the banks and guaranteeing deposits. The Government however did not have enough resources to both guarantee deposits and maintain the value of the Icelandic Krona. The currency devalued with considerable hardship for many Icelanders.

In keeping with AUK's mission of providing liberal arts education for well-rounded, effective graduates, the students on this field trip will be taking responsibility for their own learning. Students are required to develop their own topics and make contacts in Iceland with business people who can provide them with first-hand information they will require to address their questions about the effects of the collapse of Iceland's banks. They will be exposed to many new experiences, such new life experiences will broaden their understanding and enhance their confidence in facing new challenges. This kind of learning lies at the heart of liberal education. What these students learn in Iceland could be crucial should Kuwait face a banking crisis in the future. 

Departure: Friday April 10, 2009

Return: Sunday April 19, 2009
 

Some of AUK students who will be participating in the trip with Dr. John Rutland and Dr. Patricia Read-Hunter (back raw in the middle)