• Generally, students study abroad between their second semester of sophomore year through the first semester of their senior year since the Capstone must be completed domestically at AU. The decision when to study abroad should be made in consultation with the student’s Program Advisor. 

• Students need to let their Program Advisor know as soon as possible about their desire to study abroad so they can meet to discuss their study abroad goals and how to fit this experience into their specific academic program and graduation requirements. 

• Even after courses abroad have been equated to courses at AU, students must review final course selection with their Program Advisor. 

• It is recommended that students complete at least 80% of their general education requirements before studying abroad. 

• Students who are BA ABST majors or Arabic Studies minors are encouraged to take courses conducted in Arabic as far along in to the sequence as possible to ensure the completion of the major or minor is possible. Courses conducted in English have less flexibility in terms of where they can apply in the major but may still count.

• Students with BA ABST major are encouraged to take their requisite Dialect course abroad as well as their requisite course with a Classical Arabic component.

• There are no limits of credits that can be applied to the major or the minor. The student, however, should receive approval from the Program Advisor about how courses and credits may apply to the major.

Please see the information below to guide you to the most appropriate program based on your goals in advancing your Arabic language skills.  Program prerequisites are noted in the program description. Students take a language placement exam on-site in all locations.

Programs designed for Arabic language acquisition at all levels (no language prerequisite)

Morocco: Area & Arabic Language Studies (AMIDEAST)

• Modern Standard Arabic courses:  Recommended (5 credits)- available at all levels
• Colloquial Arabic courses: Required (3 credits)
• Terms available: Fall, Spring, Academic Year
• Program structure: This program is offered by AMIDEAST. All courses take place at the AMIDEAST Center in Rabat with other study abroad students. English content courses are offered each term. AMIDEAST coordinates homestays, excursions, and cultural activities as part of the program.

Programs designed for Arabic language acquisition at the INTERMEDIATE or ADVANCED level

Jordan: CET Intensive Language

• Modern Standard Arabic courses:  Required (6 credits), 
• Colloquial Arabic courses: Required (4 credits)
• Terms available: Fall, Spring, Academic Year
• Prerequisites: ARAB 202, or its equivalent
• Program structure: This program is offered in coordination with CET and hosted by University of Amman.  All students are required to commit to a full language pledge.  AU students take courses with other CET study abroad students.  Students choose two content courses in Arabic Content courses focused on Middle East history, politics and culture.  CET coordinates student apartment housing with other CET and Jordanian students, excursions, and cultural activities as part of the program.

Programs NOT designed for Arabic language acquisition in an Arabic Speaking country

United Arab Emirates:  American University of Sharjah

• Modern Standard Arabic courses available:  Yes
• Colloquial Arabic courses available: No
• Terms available: Fall, Spring, Academic Year 
• Program structure: Students directly enroll in American University of Sharjah as international students.  Students can choose from a range of content courses in English.  Some MSA courses are available depending on enrollment and are of variable quality.  While study at AUS is a great opportunity to meet students from all of the Middle East, the wide range of dialects spoken makes language acquisition difficult.  Also a significant number of students are from the Indian sub-continent and do not speak Arabic.  Students focused on learning Arabic are encouraged to hire a tutor in addition to their studies at AUS and at their own cost. 

Programs offered in non-Arabic Speaking countries, but which have strong Arabic language departments

England: SOAS - University of London

• Modern Standard Arabic courses available:  Yes
• Colloquial Arabic courses available: Yes
• Terms available: Fall, Spring, Academic Year 
• Program structure: Students directly enroll as international students.  MSA courses are available at all levels.  Intermediate and advanced students can enroll in colloquial language courses.  Students interested in Arabic literature (classical and modern) or Middle Eastern studies will be well-served at SOAS.

England: University of Exeter

• Modern Standard Arabic courses available: Yes
• Colloquial Arabic courses available: Yes
• Terms available: Fall, Spring, Full year
• Program structure: Students directly enroll as international students. MSA courses are available at all levels, and students interested in Arabic law and society, gender, and identity would be interested in looking at this program.