The Quest for Innovation and Internationalization in the Middle East: Reflections on an Ultra-Short-Term Study Abroad Program in Europe and its possible transferability to Middle Eastern Universities

Abstract

The present qualitative research paper explores the development of an integrated ultra-short-term study abroad program in Europe and discusses its potentials and its limitations from a conceptual point of view. In addition, it attempts to provide insights into some operational issues of this emerging type of study abroad program. Because the primarily intended audience of this paper is educators and administrators of Middle Eastern Universities, the paper also discusses ways to implement and design similar programs in that aspiring region. The author makes the case that with some light adaptations such a program could also be implemented in the context of Middle Eastern higher education institutions. Also, the author argues that although the study took place in the area of Business and Management / Marketing Management, the main features of this concept could well be transferred to other academic fields.