<p>D has taken a year of Arabic at college and will continue studying it next year. She is employed through the end of July. After that, she would love to find an Arabic program/lessons (preferably in Syria or Jordan) for about 4 weeks. She is having a hard time finding a program. Any suggestions? (I also posted this in study abroad).</p>
<p>L’Institute Bourguiba des Langues Vivantes in Tunis, Tunisia used to have summer Arabic courses in Modern Standard Arabic (several levels from Intro through advanced), and in Tunisian Arabic. Back in the '80s, Tunisia was perfectly safe for young women, and the institute had summer (dormitory) housing available. There was a snack bar in the dorm and in the school itself, and lunch and dinner in town were inexpensive. Tourist level French was most useful for getting around town at that time. I have no new information about the program since then.</p>
<p>Thanks. We will take a look at it. Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>Here is a site I found with lots of programs. It may be too late for this summer - but maybe for next summer.</p>
<p>[Arabic</a> Language Study Programs](<a href=“http://www.umich.edu/~neareast/arabicstudy.html]Arabic”>http://www.umich.edu/~neareast/arabicstudy.html)</p>
<p>I knew someone who did Russian with the Middlebury program and it was outstanding.</p>
<p>According to my son, Qasid Institute is the best in the Middle East. [Qasid</a> - Home](<a href=“http://www.qasid.com%5DQasid”>http://www.qasid.com)</p>
<p>I forgot to say - it’s in Amman, Jordan. Unfortunately, the summer semester is nine weeks and started about a week ago. Maybe she could do it next summer, or as a semester abroad?</p>
<p>Here is a site with a long list of Arabic summer programs:
[Arabic</a> Language Study Programs](<a href=“http://www.umich.edu/~neareast/arabicstudy.html]Arabic”>http://www.umich.edu/~neareast/arabicstudy.html)</p>
<p>I’m currently in Amman and have come across numerous Americans studying Arabic and it seems as if most if not all programs have already begun.</p>
<p>D spent a several months studying Arabic in Fez, Morocco. It was a good experience.</p>
<p>My D is has been in Lebanon since Sunday taking Arabic classes at SINARC in Beirut. She is enjoying it very much so far. Six week program that started on Monday, 6/22, so won’t work for your D, but you might ask if they have any ideas for her. It is sponsored by Lebanese American University and the people who run it are really nice; it seems to be a more laid-back program than the one at AUB.</p>
<p>Noteworthy: Without the airfare, it is about half the price of going to Middlebury, $3100 for six weeks of tuition and room. No board -grocery stores, rooms with kitchenettes, and many cool cafes and restaurants nearby.</p>
<p>Great ideas. Thanks. We will follow up . Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>American University in Cairo</p>
<p>Not sure about a single woman in Egypt, however; what I have read is you literally need a man to protect you or you are considered fair game. Egyptians will think you are loose and your man was stupid to let you go out by yourself.</p>
<p>^^^
A single female in Cairo is fine as long as she dresses and acts appropriately. And a ring on the left ring finger (even if “fake”) will keep away a lot of unwanted attention.</p>
<p>Unless you cobble something together yourself I suggest you may be too late in the summer, as most will have started and it’s unlikely you’ll find one just for the month of August.</p>
<p>I note also that you should consider dialects (your daughter no doubt knows this). Fus’ha is not a universal dialect. Studying in Morocco or even Egypt for example can be fun and rewarding but won’t necessarily help in learning fus’ha or MSA. I suspect that’s why your daughter specified Syria or Jordan.</p>
<p>Grcxx3: Cover your hair.</p>
<p>Find a male to accompany you.</p>
<p>No problem.</p>
<p>mommusic - covering hair is not critical. Covering legs, shoulders, chest is more so. Being with a male certainly helps, but again, is not necessary all the time. Self confidence, street-smarts, and - as many single women have told me - that ring on the left hand does wonders.</p>
<p>^^^ I have no wish to malign the mass of Egyptian men who I am sure are honorable, all I know is what I have read and been told…there are some with a tribal mentality still, who believe a single woman is fair game. And it only takes once being in the wrong place at the wrong time (like you wouldn’t go alone to some places in the US as a single female. Or male, esp. if you are the wrong color. Or wrong sexual persuasion. At night.) </p>
<p>It’s just that in a strange city, not really knowing the language, you may not be aware of potentially dangerous areas/situations.</p>
<p>I understand your concern mommusic, but my advice/recommendations comes from having lived in Cairo for 4 years.</p>
<p>Are there dishonorable men? You bet, but more likely you will find ones who may be verbally obnoxious to the point of harassment, but rarely did I hear of anyone being physically harassed. </p>
<p>Yes - you have to be careful, especially if out alone. Being part of a group is always best, getting to know taxi drivers that you can learn to trust, getting a feel for the layout of the city, learning some of the language (not a problem if you are studying Arabic), learning about the cultural norms…all that is important.</p>
<p>The funny thing about much of Cairo at night…is that it is a big family party, especially on the weekends. I remember driving home at 1 or 2 am and seeing whole families - including toddlers - out walking along the river and hanging out in the parks.</p>
<p>just a thought…this comment - </p>
<p>“And it only takes once being in the wrong place at the wrong time (like you wouldn’t go alone to some places in the US as a single female. Or male, esp. if you are the wrong color. Or wrong sexual persuasion. At night.)”</p>
<ul>
<li>is true for ANYONE going ANYWHERE!</li>
</ul>
<p>Personally, I always felt very safe in Cairo (except for the traffic - but that’s another topic completely!), but being a New Orleans gal - I am used to be street smart wherever I am.</p>
<p>I agree, it takes street smarts.</p>
<p>And sometimes you think in this day and age women “should” be able to do the same things men do, go the same places…equality and all that…and it’s a big mistake. Some cultures just aren’t there yet.</p>