Travel grant for Philly teachers through the heart of the Silk Road

The University of Pennsylvania Middle East Center is excited to announce an educator grant that we are offering in collaboration with GEEO Travel, a Philadelphia-area nonprofit that helps educators travel around the world. In the summer of 2021, we will be offering a trip through the heart of the Silk Road. This comprehensive 23-day tour will take you through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, offering a fascinating glimpse of a part of the world most travelers miss. A true crossroad of empires, Central Asia will have your head spinning with insight into the Mongols, the Persians, the Uzbeks, the Russians, and many other cultures. Stay at unique homestays, sleep in traditional yurts, discover the breathtaking mountain and desert scenery, and roam gorgeous buildings built centuries ago. Beyond the incredibly rich historical sites and architectural monuments, this adventure will enlighten your understanding of Islam and also introduce you to the region’s greatest resource: its generous and kind people!

Two $1500 grants are available to two deserving Philadelphia-area educators to help pay for the total program fee of $3293 per person. Accompanying the trip will be John Ghazvinian, Interim Director of the Middle East Center. He will be available to offer a broader perspective on the modern history of the Middle East, as a complement to the exposure to Central Asian culture and history that the guide will provide. He will also share with teachers some of the unique resources and opportunities that are available through the Penn Middle East Center to assist in the shaping of lesson plans. Trip would be postponed for one year if there are any travel restrictions due to COVID 19

To apply for the MEC grant, please click here. Applications are due as soon as possible.