<p>So I'd love some advice on my study abroad plans for this summer and fall, because they're coming up (I'm a sophomore so I'd be leaving in 7 months or so) and I'm still super conflicted on what to do.</p>
<p>I'm considering a few options for the summer and a few options for fall so I'd love to hear any feedback you have :)</p>
<p>Background info: I'm in my second year of Arabic and really interested in Middle Eastern culture, though I'm not sure what I want to do with that yet. I could see myself in diplomacy, intelligence, humanitarian work or education so I'm still exploring all my options. I'm hoping to improve my Arabic while overseas but also have a good cultural experience and just an enjoyable time.</p>
<p>Summer Options:
-these are all in the same price range btw
1) Peace and Conflict Studies in London/Amman:
[ul][<em>]this isn't as concentrated on the Middle East as other programs I'm considering, but it would be really cool to study conflict studies in two separate areas with somewhat similar issues (Northern Ireland and Israel/Palestine)
[</em>]no language study but I could do a homestay in Jordan for about 4 weeks and practice my Arabic through that
[<em>]one of my best friends is doing this program, and while I know this shouldn't be a primary factor, I think it would make the transition to another culture a lot easier, and it would be super cool to know someone (I also have social anxiety so I would just be a lot less freaked if I had someone to support me who I already knew) [/ul]
2) Learn and Serve in Egypt: [ul]
[li]obviously this would depend on the political situation by the summer (if this was my first choice I'd definitely apply for a backup program just in case)[/li][</em>]I would learn Egyptian Arabic and work with an NGO, which seems like a really cool experience
[<em>]I would be living in an apartment, which is ok but I'd prefer a homestay and I don't think that's an option with this program [/ul]
3) Intensive Arabic: [ul]
[li]there are a number of programs I could do this through; I'd be able to do a homestay and get to a more advanced level than with the other programs[/li][</em>]I feel like this is the program I <em>should</em> choose but given that my 2 hour Arabic classes tire me out sometimes, I'm concerned that I would hate spending my entire day on language study - like this program might give me more skills than the others but it would be a lot harder and less enjoyable so I'm not sure [/ul]</p>
<p>Fall Options:
1) Al'Akhawayn University in Morocco: [ul]
[<em>]I would be immersed in a Moroccan University - it's only 10% international so I would definitely not be in a bubble
[</em>]The classes are taught in English (though a few in Arabic are offered, so I could take those if my Arabic level was high enough by then) so schoolwork wouldn't be too hard, and I could continue taking Arabic and also possibly take Berber which seems really cool - and all the courses offered seem super interesting
[<em>]One thing to consider would be that Moroccan dialect is very different than other dialects, so being here might not help me communicate with Arabs in general as well as a program somewhere else would
[</em>]I would stay in dorms, which I don't love, but the campus seems really nice
[<em>]Not sure how many internship opportunities I would have, but that's not the end of the world (I had one last semester and will hopefully be interning next semester as well as Junior spring, so I should have a good amount of experience either way) [/ul]
2) AlQuds University in East Jerusalem: [ul]
[li]The most interesting part of this would be doing a homestay in Ramallah - living in the Palestinian territories for 4 months would be a really unique experience[/li][</em>]The program is through Bard College, and I'd be with a mix of international and Palestinian students
[<em>]The class options aren't as good as with the program in Morocco, but there are more internship opportunities so it kind of evens out
[</em>]There's a chance the program wouldn't be approved, but I can always apply to the other programs as a backup
[li]This program is more expensive than the one in Morocco, but my scholarship from my home university will cover most of it so that's not the end of the world[/ul]</p>[/li]
<p>Thanks so much for taking the time to read any/all of this, and I'm looking forward to hearing what you think :)</p>
But classwork needn’t be less fun with the right attitude. Living with a family is a gamble but it will help your speaking and listening and give you a ‘truer’ experience of life in the country and the priorities of ordinary people. You can travel at weekends or maybe the family will take you places. But might be tougher emotionally if you’ve not traveled independently before. </p>