Studying Arabic Abroad with AU Abroad
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)
- Modern Standard Arabic courses: Required (4 credits)- available at all levels
- Colloquial Arabic courses: Required (3 credits)
- Terms available: Fall, Spring, Full year
- Program structure: This program is offered in coordination with AMIDEAST. Students take courses with other study abroad students. Language courses take place at AMIDEAST’s language center in Rabat and the content courses in English and advanced French take place at Mohammed V University. Content courses are focused on Moroccan history, politics and culture. AMIDEAST also coordinates student housing (homestay or student dormitory), excursions and cultural activities as part of the program. An Arabic language pledge is required.
Jordan: Internship & Middle East Studies (CET)
- Modern Standard Arabic courses: Required (4 credits)- available at all levels
- Colloquial Arabic courses: Required (3 credits)
- Terms available: Fall, Spring, Full year
- Program structure: This program is offered in coordination with CET. Students are required to have an internship, using English or Arabic. Students take courses with other study abroad students. Language and content courses take place at the University of Jordan. Content courses are focused on Middle East history, politics and culture. CET also coordinates student apartment housing with another CET and Jordanian student, excursions, and cultural activities as part of the program.
- Modern Standard Arabic courses: Required - available at all levels
- Colloquial Arabic courses: Required
- Terms available: Fall, Spring, Full year
- Program structure: This program is offered in coordination with AMIDEAST and the Qasid Institute. Students take courses with other study abroad students at AMIDEAST’s center in Amman. In addition to language courses, students take content courses in English in Middle East/ North African Studies during the Fall and Spring. During the summer, students only study Arabic. AMIDEAST also coordinates student housing (homestay or shared apartments), excursions and cultural activities as part of the program.
Programs designed for Arabic language acquisition at the INTERMEDIATE or ADVANCED level
Jordan: Intensive Arabic and Cultural Studies in Amman (CET)
- Modern Standard Arabic courses: Required (6 credits),
- Colloquial Arabic courses: Required (4 credits)
- Terms available: Fall, Spring, Full year
- Intensive Arabic Language and Cultural Studies; 2 levels
- Prerequisites: ARAB 202, or its equivalent
- Program structure: These programs are offered in coordination with CET and hosted by University of Amman.
- Students take courses with other U.S. students. Students choose 2 content courses which are instructed in either English or Arabic (based on students’ language level) and include topics on contemporary Jordanian life and culture, media Arabic, translation, etc... CET also coordinates student housing in apartments with Jordanian students, language partners, excursions and cultural activities as part of the program. Students commit to a language pledge as part of this program.
Jordan: Summer Intensive Arabic Language in Amman (CET)
- Prerequisites: ARAB 103, or its equivalent
- Program structure: All coursework and most programming is conducted in Arabic. Students commit to a language pledge throughout the program. Students undertake intensive study of the Arabic language with small classes and Jordanian language partners. CET organizes housing in shared apartments with Jordanian students, cultural activities and excursions.
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, Full year
- Program structure: Students directly enroll in American University of Sharjah as an international student. Students can choose from a wide range of content courses in English. Some MSA courses are available depending on enrollment and 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, Full year
- Program Structure: Students directly enroll. 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.
- Modern Standard Arabic courses available: Yes
- Colloquial Arabic courses available: Yes
- Terms available: Fall, Spring, Full year
- Program Structure: Students directly enroll. 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.