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Doha Exchange Trips

Similar to the Pittsburgh Exchange Trips, the Pittsburgh campus sends over students from the main campus to engage in Doha Exchange Trips. Here's a history of the trips from the past...

Spring Break 2009

What was previously known as the "Doha Exchange Trip" was renamed IMPAQT for the first time in 2009.

Spring Break 2008

After a year on hiatus, the Doha exchange trip returned with a vengeance. Eight students and 1 chaperone came to Doha from March 8-14. The trip in 2008 was significantly different from the trip in 2006. Pictured from left to right were the 8 students: George Diabes, Abiola Fasehun, Alicia Pompei, Andrew Peters, Jared Itkowitz, Tehana Weeks, Grace DeForest, Dhruv Mathur. John Hannon, then Director of Student Development, was the chaperone for the trip.

The purpose of this trip for the PGH students was two-fold: 1) to gather information in order to improve future student exchanges / site visits between the two campuses AND 2) to develop strategies for better collaborative relationships between the two campuses that do not involve exchanges / site visits (taken from the proposal put forth by John Hannon and the team before the planning of their trip).

The realization of these goals came about through formal meetings, workshops, and presentations with students, faculty, and staff as well as informal exchanges over meals with students throughout the week. In addition, the group engaged in many cultural experiences such as the Sheikh Faisal Museum, FANAR, Al Jazeera, a dhow cruise dinner, Souq Waqif, and a desert safari. We are sure that the PGH students came away with a broader cultural perspective as well as a better understanding of the Doha campus.

Spring Break 2006

During the Pittsburgh spring break of 2006, a group of 6 students from the Forbes House and Global Studies Residence Halls were sent over to Doha. Participants included (in picture from left to right): Blake Coughenour, Andy Butler, Liz Chen, Steve Reilly, Kami Hayden, Rachelle Emard. This was the first group of students ever to be sent from the main campus to Doha. Chaperoned by Renee Camerlengo, then the Director of Student Life, the group consisted mainly of freshman and sophomores. The group participated in many different cultural experiences throughout the week with lots of student interaction. Although somewhat disorganized, the trip served as a basis upon which all other trips would be approached from then on.