AALL: Arabic Study Abroad

Study Abroad

Duke University

African & Asian Languages & Literature

OPTIONS FOR THE STUDY OF ARABIC AND

MUSLIM SOCIETIES ABROAD

Since 9/11 there has been a huge growth in interest in Arabic and Islamic studies. Consequently, many new Arabic language and Arab/ Middle East culture programs have been introduced in the Arab world. Several have an Islamic studies component.

There are two kinds of study abroad options: American university system; and local university programs.

Several countries have American university systems, the oldest being in Cairo and Beirut (19th century); with new ones being introduced in several places, including Morocco (al-Akhawayn University), Sharja, Dubai, and most recently Kuwait. These universities offer study abroad options equivalent to a student going to another university in the U.S. and transferring credits. Arab universities and institutions have, or are launching programs in Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, and Yemen.

PROGRAMS IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES

NORTH AFRICA

Egypt: American University in Cairo all options
Arabic for Interactive Communication (AFIC): a new initiative in the field of Arabic Study designed to promote new methods and approaches to the study of Arabic at higher levels of proficiency, with special emphasis on developing models for innovative and effective teaching of interpersonal and presentational modes of communication. Guided by a steering committee of leading Arabic scholars from across the U.S., AFIC has initiated through the Center for Arabic Study Abroad at the American University in Cairo, a program of intensive advanced Arabic study. Efforts are currently underway to expand opportunities for Arabic language study and to provide teacher training at the University of Damascus. In addition to overseas study, AFIC has begun work on research and materials development projects, utilizing the latest advances in technology and general language acquisition research, intended to improve instruction in U.S. Arabic programs that will insure an increased flow of students at the advanced proficiency level to the overseas programs.
The Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA). CASA offers intensive advanced Arabic language training at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Since its establishment in 1967, CASA has trained more than 1,350 American college level students, graduate students, and professors specializing in various areas of Middle Eastern Studies. CASA is represented by a Consortium of twenty-nine American universities and colleges who serve a vital role in directing various academic, financial and administrative aspects of the CASA programs.

Morocco: Al-Akhawayn U. in Ifrane http://www.aui.ma/; Arabic Language Institute in in Fez; (ALIF); School for International Training (SIT) language and culture courses www.sit.edu/studyabroad

Tunisia: Bourguiba School of Languages; new State Department language program http://www.caorc.org/language/

WEST ASIA

Jordan: summer and semester programs at Jordan University and summer in Yarmuk; School for International Training (SIT) language and culture courses www.sit.edu/studyabroad

Lebanon: American University in Beirut; Lebanese American University all options http://www.aub.edu.lb/

Yemen: new State Department language programs http://www.caorc.org/language/

Syria: IFEAD (Institut Francais des Etudes d’Arabe a Damas)

Syria: Damascus University: Language Institute, Arabic Language Center http://www.damasuniv.shern.net/arabic/li/site-en/index.htm

THE GULF

Abu Dabi: Zayed University http://www.zu.ac.ae/
Kuwait: American University of Kuwait http://www.auk.edu.kw/default.jsp
Oman: School for International Training (SIT) language and culture courses www.sit.edu/studyabroad
Qatar: Qatar University qu.edu intensive Arabic for graduate students http://www..qa/html/index.html
Sharja: American University of Sharja http://www.aus.edu/

SUMMER PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES

Columbia University,
http://www.ce.columbia.edu/summer/
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
http://global.wisc.edu/apip/
Georgetown University, http://www.georgetown.edu/departments/arabic/summer.ht
Cornell University,
http://www.sce.cornell.edu/sp/arabic.php
University of Pennsylvania,
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/arabic/
Middle Bury College, http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ls/arabic/

Office of Study Abroad of Duke