CPLA Press

Arriving at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, our group went through the initial metal detectors, checked our cameras with the guards, and began our meeting. Tarik Allagany, the Public Affairs Supervisor at the Embassy greeted us and began with a 20 minute, narrated slide show covering Saudi Arabia's politics, which particularly paid attention to their Kingdom, Islam, their economy and agriculture, and the Middle East as a whole. Tarik followed up with a question and answer session where we were given the opportunity to ask questions regarding certain stereotypes about the country, and issues and stances in the media and in our lives that had not ever been given the option to ask. A few of us were then takren to another room where we were given typical Saudi apparel from varying regions of the country. Dressing up and being presented to the rest of the group, including Dr. Payne, we had a good laugh at ourselves in the lavish outfits while we learned why their clothes differed according to the region od Saudi Arabia that they were worn in.
Immediately following this trip, we spent the remainder of our evening with joining familiar faces to Emerson: Alumni from Emerson's school of Communication. First joining Peter Loge and Howard Leiberman, we listened and participated in a talk on law school, public policy, media politics, and the Emerson presence among such a wide spectrum of important and progressing careers all over the country and world. Peter Loge currently teaches two classes with Emerson's Washington D.C. program and spoke to the group about the advantages and disadvantages of working in this city and for specific branches of government.
Following this, we walked a few blocks down the street to meet Emily Garr and Andrew Wishnia, two recent graduates of Emerson who now live and work in D.C. Conversing over dinner, the group was able to talk to people only a few years older, who have the Emerson experience in common with, and experience in both higher education and in the workforce.
The day was particularly eventful for each of us, as the number of events offered something for everyone. Tomorrow, the day begins at noon and is nonstop until late in the evening.

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