Study Abroad

Studying abroad is crucial to the study of Arabic because it allows for cultural and language immersion. Modern Standard Arabic is the official or co-official language of Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian West Bank and Gaza, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Mauritania, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. In addition to the Arab countries, in which Arabic speakers are concentrated, large numbers of Arabic speakers live in Iran and France (about 600,000 speakers each), and a substantial number of speakers live in Israel and parts of Africa. This means that the choices for study abroad are quite diverse. The Global Engagement Office, in conjunction with the faculty in the Arabic Section, helps students find programs that are a good fit for their interests.

Jordan🇯🇴

Programs (fall /spring/ full academic  year study ) 

1- CET 

• Location: Amman, Jordan

• Language requirement : None 

• When:

        Fall semester: Arrival in August and  Departure in December

         Spring semester: Arrival in January and  Departure in April

Housing: Accommodations are designed to help students engage and acclimate to local culture.

Academics:

• Intensive courses in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Jordanian Dialect
• Electives in Arabic or English
• Opportunities for internships and research
• Language partner for additional practice

Special Features:

• Official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)
• Field-based learning and excursions around Jordan.

2- CIEE

Location: Amman, Jordan

Language requirement : None 

When:

Fall semester: starts in mid-September and ends at  the end of December (14 weeks)

Academic Year:  mid-September to mid-May (36 weeks)

Spring semester :  from February to end of  May  (15 weeks)

Housing: Students live in accommodations in Amman and engage in co-curricular activities.

Academics:

Courses in English and Arabic (language skills vary from beginner to advanced)

Courses cover Middle Eastern history, culture, politics, and society

Internship opportunities in local and international organizations

Special Features:

Visits to important sites like Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea

Option to do an internship in a governmental or NGO setting.

3- Middlebury Jordan 

• Location: Amman, Jordan
• Language requirement : 2 years of  Arabic study.
• When: Fall and Spring semesters (see website for exact dates)
• Housing: Students live with host families in Amman, offering cultural immersion and daily language practice.
• Academics:
  • Based at the University of Jordan (established in 1962)
  • Focus on Arabic language proficiency with the Middlebury Language Pledge® (full immersion)
  • Rigorous and intensive coursework designed for students already proficient in Arabic
• Special Features:
  • Cultural immersion through host family living
  • Exploration of Jordan's rich history and culture
  • The program emphasizes linguistic and cultural integration for an enhanced learning experience.

4- SIJAL 

• Location: Amman, Jordan (also available online)
• When: From June to August ( check SIJAL website for exact dates)
• Housing: Students can opt to stay in Sijal House or arrange alternative housing in Amman.
• Academic Details:
  • Intensive 10-week program split into two 5-week sessions.
  • Language instruction in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Jordanian dialect.
  • Includes cultural activities, lectures, and film screenings.
  • Content courses available in topics such as cooking, literature, and film.
  • 19 contact hours per week (95 hours per session, 190 for both).
• Special Features:
  • Cultural immersion with language partners.
  • Open tutoring and weekly office hours.
  • Opportunities for credit transfer
  • The program is designed to meet FLAS fellowship requirements.
  • Additional Events: Trip around Jordan's famous sites such as Wadi Ram

5- QASID 

• When: From June to August ( check QASID website for exact dates)
• Housing:  students attending onsite programs will likely arrange their own accommodations.
• Special Features:
  • Supplementary courses in Levantine Arabic.
  • Opportunities for private tutoring.
  • Guest speakers and cultural immersion activities

Egypt 🇪🇬 

1-  AUC ( The American University in Cairo ) 

• Location: Cairo, Egypt
• When: Programs are available throughout the year, including intensive summer and regular semester options.
• Programs Offered:
  • Intensive Arabic for Professionals and Non-Degree Learners
  • Intensive Arabic for Summer Learners
  • Intensive Arabic for Diplomats
  • Center for Advanced Arabic Study in Cairo (CAASIC)
  • Arabic for Degree-Seeking Students
  • Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA@AUC)
• Housing: On-campus student residences available, providing a safe and welcoming environment.
• Special Features:
  • The program emphasizes cultural immersion alongside language instruction.
  • Offers classes in both Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic at various proficiency levels.
  • Cultural activities, field trips, and immersion experiences help students connect with Egyptian culture.

Morocco🇲🇦 

1- Middlebury Morocco 

• Location: Rabat, Morocco
• When: Programs align with the academic year; specific start and end dates depend on the session.
• Housing: Students are likely to stay with host families, offering immersive experiences.
• Academic Focus:
  • Intermediate and Advanced tracks for Arabic learners.
  • The program emphasizes linguistic immersion, requiring adherence to the Middlebury Language Pledge.
  • Students take Arabic language courses and cultural studies.
• Special Features:
  • Classes are held at Mohammed V University, founded in 1957.
  • Cultural integration through language immersion and local engagement.
  • The Language Pledge guarantees full linguistic immersion for enhanced proficiency.
  •  

2  Critical Language Scholarship

• Location: Meknes, Morocco (Arab American Language Institute in Morocco)
• When: From June to August ( check CLS website for exact dates)
• Program Focus:
  • Intensive study of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) with some exposure to Moroccan Colloquial Arabic.
  • Designed for students who have completed at least one year of Arabic language study.
• Housing: Students typically stay in accommodations arranged by the program in Meknes.
• Special Features:
  • Full cultural and language immersion.
  • Intensive Arabic language study with additional opportunities to engage with local Moroccan culture.

Photographs From Students Abroad

Clara Gordon - Syria
 

Lindsay Dolan & Henry Linder - Jordan
 

Sundes Kazmir - Egypt