1. To Step Back in Time:

Each country in the Middle East is unique and offers different attractions, destinations, and stories. But what every country in the Middle East has in common is it's dedication to and incorporation of tradition and history. It's easy to forget about the past and lose ourselves to worrying about the future. But taking a trip to the Middle East can be like taking a time machine back in time. Whether it's walking the streets of Byblos in Lebanon that have been continuously inhabited since 5000 BC, or finding your way around the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, or feeling like Homer observing the late city of Troy in Turkey, or gazing up at the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, the Middle East is rich of ruins, tales, and artifacts that bring history back to life.

2. To Eat Some of the Best Food Ever:

Shawarma, falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, kafta, baklawa, knafeh, dolma, fattoush, kibbeh, musakhan, halloumi, shanklish... the list goes on and on

3. To Shatter Stereotypes:

Discover for yourself the truth behind the news and social media. Unfortunately, the Muslim world is portrayed as violent and inhospitable. See it before you believe it. The only way to really break misconceptions is to conceptualize them for yourself.

4. To Learn Arabic:

To start off, Arabic is #5 on the 30 Top Languages of The World, right after English [1]. It's spoken in over 20 countries. It'll help you gain some insight into the Islamic religion. It's necessary for Middle East/U.S. relations. On a scholarly note, Arabic has some of the easiest grammar out of all the languages. And if none of that sounded interesting to you, think about the untapped economic potential.

1. http://www.vistawide.com/languages/top_30_language...