In May 2025, the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University welcomed a delegation of visiting undergraduates from Ajman University in the United Arab Emirates.
Klein College hosted the visit, centering the week around global engagement and creativity in the world of media and communications. Showcasing not only Temple University, but also Philadelphia was one of the primary goals.
Staff from Klein EDGE (Engagement, Development and Growth Experiences), led by Director Allie Miller, ensured that the visiting students got a mix of class time that touched on each Klein College major. A hands-on learning component included exposure to international relations and an opportunity to engage with all types of media tools. Reinforcing another goal of the trip, students explored Philadelphia including WHYY, Old City, Rittenhouse Square, City Hall, the Kimmel Center, Reading Terminal Market and the Cherry Street Pier.
Hands-On Learning
From Saleem Ahmed, associate professor of practice in journalism, students learned about audio/visual content gathering and multimedia storytelling. Under his tutelage, the students captured the city through media, conducted comparative analyses of Philadelphia and Ajman, and identified visual patterns that they then transformed into a final product including a video of Philadelphia.
As an extension of the Think Philly campaign that Temple founded, lessons from Stacey Harpster, associate professor of instruction in advertising, focused on creating an advertising campaign specifically to attract prospective international students from the United Arab Emirates to visit and study in Philadelphia. Originally, one of Harpster’s past classes initiated the branding for the Think Philly campaign.
Under Harpster’s tutelage, the UAE students analyzed tourism and study-away advertising, discussed persuasion strategies, wrote creative briefs and brainstormed on how to carry out creative for advertising campaigns. Professor Harpster appreciated how the students incorporated their perspective by applying a fresh lens to our historic city.
“I was truly impressed by the students’ professionalism, skills and talent!”, said Harpster. “In just a few days they created and presented a thoughtful, well-executed campaign aimed at promoting Philly to their peers back home in the U.A.E., as a destination to visit, and in which to study.”
– Stacey Harpster
TUTV managers, Leigh Pullekines and Joe Schreiber also led a television production workshop, and the Director of Klein Career Services, Chris Blackman, introduced the concept of media presence to the students.
To build lasting relationships to benefit both institutions, Ajman Professor Safa Osman, who accompanied the students, held meetings with representatives from across Klein College including Fab Darling Wolf from Graduate Services, Jack Klotz and John DiCarlo who lead student media organizations, Chris Blackman from Career Services, and Tyler DeVice from Klein EDGE.
Cross-Cultural Experience
Reflecting on Philadelphia, Ajman student Meera Mohammad, said “The thing that surprised me was the friendly people who welcomed us here like to learn about a different culture.” She hopes to return one day to visit other cities in the United States, namely Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
At the end of the week, the students made many valuable connections throughout Klein College. Along with their completed work and new skills, the students left with a new understanding of the U.S., Philadelphia, and Temple.
To watch the visit in action, check out the recap video the Ajman delegation students created on the Ajman University YouTube channel or visit Shahd Moussa’s daily vlogs of the experience on her LinkedIn page or on Instagram (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4).
By Assistant Director of Klein EDGE, Hannah Braid Sugg and Joy Hsieh (Klein ’26).
Photos provided by Stacey Harpster