A radical experiment in education: American universities in the Middle East.

While America's reputation in the Middle East is hovering at historic lows, the demand for American university-branded education has never been greater. NOW ON PBS takes a look at the unprecedented boom of American university campuses in an area where American military and cultural exports are typically viewed with suspicion. In the tiny oil-rich nation of Qatar, American universities like Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown and Virginia Commonwealth are warmly embraced and enthusiastically attended by local residents and students throughout the region. But are some of these schools trading their good name for a big check? NOW travels to Qatar's Education City, the largest collection of American universities in the Middle East, to investigate.

At NOW's Web site at www.pbs.org/now , read a Web-exclusive interview with a student attending classes in Qatar, view a slide show of university life and find out if your alma mater has an overseas campus.