<p>My son was one of the students that were selected last year and he loved it. The program was safe and very well-run, it was cheap (it only cost us a plane ticket to NYC and spending money) and he not only had a blast but he really learned a ton of Arabic.</p>
<p>He has been asked to pass on the information for this year's program so that they can have a good group of applicants to chose from.</p>
<p>Also -- AFS has asked my son to pass this information on to as many kids as possible -- so if you know any other email groups or forums, please post the information. Also -- feel free to notify local schools or anyone else you can think of.</p>
<p>last year was the first time the scholarship was offered. the program is part of a grant through the US Strategic Language Initiative.</p>
<p>You can apply even if you don't know any arabic (although they prefer it -- it is pretty hard to find high school students who know any arabic unless they have family from the middle-east). My son knew absolutely no arabic when he applied.</p>
<p>each student lives with a different family -- all the students meet each morning for 4 hours of language study (2 hours of colloquial Egyptian Arabic and 2 hours of Modern Standard Arabic) and they get together at tons of other times for group activities (they went to the embassy for a reception as one) and sightseeing tours. the students also spend time with their host family and any friends they have met (my son made friends with some college exchange students from Spain).</p>
<p>I definitely want to go to this thing the summer after my sophomore year (the age requirement is 16 or older, I believe). I just hope I don't forget about it.</p>
<p>Hsmomstef - would you mind giving us a ball-park figure for spending money needed? Do they need to buy meals? My S is helping a friend (of extremely limited means) who is looking for a program such as this but would really need to know expenses in advance to see if it's possible. Thanks</p>
<p>We are also a family of extremely limited means, so I know exactly what you are talking about!</p>
<p>Our costs included the application fee ($75), passport (~$100), visa ($10), plane ticket from whereever you live to NYC (or if you live close enough, the drive) plus the spending money.</p>
<p>My son's grandparent's gave him $500 for spending money, so we didn't have to pay that part (which really helped). He did spend most of the $500, but he bought quite a few gifts for friends and family and some shirts for himself.</p>
<p>you do not have to buy meals -- that is covered by the program. If I remember correctly, the trip to mt. sinai was optional and a cost of $78 (the other sightseeing trips were covered). Before his grandparents gave him the money, we were plannning on sending him with $200.</p>
<p>One thing that we did (and always do with these summer programs) is that our son has an account in his name and mine with a debit card (one of those mastercard ones). That way, I can add money to it if he needs it (plus i can add money to it as I get it -- we get awfully tight on money when summer comes). The debit card worked great in Egypt -- much better than cash. I believe he took $40 -- $50 in cash when he left here for incidentals and emergency spending on the plane trip and the overnight in NYC (which if part of the program).</p>
<p>this is one of the least expensive programs out there -- but it is good to check! the spending money and transportation can really add up and if money is tight, even a program with a full scholarship is expensive! My son was a awarded a full scholarship to Oxbridge this summer, but we have to pay the plane ticket and spending money (lunches are not included in the Oxbridge program) so it will be much harder to come up with the money this year!</p>
<p>Thank you so much, that was very helpful. Yes, even very generous programs like this one can leave gaps in expenses that are difficult to overcome. My son didn't want his friend to get too hyped up if it wasn't financially realistic for him - his parents are not very supportive and he's been disappointed before. I think he could make this work though, and we're going to encourage him to go for it. Good luck to your son at Oxbridge!</p>
<p>(I'm lazy enough not even read the whole thread!) So, permanent residents of the US can do this program right? And what's the age requirement? Is it like the students have to stay w/ Egyptian families or that they will stay in dorms?</p>
<p>each student stays with an Egyptian host family -- </p>
<p>here is what the link says: Eligibility and Timing
In order to be considered for this scholarship, a student must be:
• between the ages of 15-17 years 11 months (cannot be older than 18 at the start of the program).
• be a strong student (minimum 3.0 GPA).
• an outstanding representative of the U.S.
• able to meet cross cultural challenges with maturity, respect, and humor.
• prepared to share their own culture with their Egyptian host family.
• nominated by someone in his or her community to whom he or she is not related by March 26, 2007.
• able to demonstrate an avid interest in learning Arabic and commitment to continue Arabic classes upon return to the U.S. A preferable candidate is one with beginner Arabic language skills.</p>
<p>keep in mind that the nomination is due very soon!!!! and the application is due one week later! -- my son had to fax everything last year.</p>
<p>to clarify the nomination thing -- it is just a form that you have someone fill out. It can be filled out by a teacher, counselor, minister, coach, etc.</p>
<p>
[quote]
? between the ages of 15-17 years 11 months (cannot be older than 18 at the start of the program).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That's great! I thought the requirement was 16+, this means that I could apply next year! </p>
<p>hsmomstef, do you have any suggestions on how I could learn Arabic on my own? I checked the course listings at the community college, and Arabic isn't offered.</p>
<p>Jonathan, learning Arabic on ur own ain't gonna be easy! Trust me, it's pronunciation is SO different people (whose mother tongue is English) really stumble at the beginning! U can probably check w/ some state colleges and definitely they do offer Arabic courses in summer..........I know HYPS all offer Summer Arabic Courses...........
Abt the Program..........I'm too lazy to go through all the paperworks..........moreover.........I just don't like the idea of living w/ an Egyptian family for such a long time.:( (HOwever, I'm definitley interested to continue learning Arabic and I WILL learn this language in college/summer programs/whatever!)</p>
<p>I applied to Andover Summer Session and they offer Introduction to Arabic as a minor, but I'd really like to take Accelerated Elementary French so I could advance to French II as a freshman.</p>
<p>Jonathan -- there are tons of resources out there for learning Arabic. Of course, it isn't the same as taking it in a class or living in an Arabic speaking country.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you take a look at several different resources to see what appeals to you. Rosetta Stone offers an Arabic I and II program and you can often find them at the local library to see if you like it. </p>
<p>there are also a number of beginning books and books about learning the alphabet that are excellent.</p>
<p>my suggestion is that you focus on learning the alphabet first, then beginning grammar and vocabulary. If you are working on your own, do even bother to try and learn to speak it correctly -- you do need a native instructor for that. But if you have learned the alphabet, beginning grammar and vocabulary -- learning correct pronounciation will be a snap. It is better to not learn the pronounciation at all rather than learn it incorrectly.</p>
<p>for this program, they were looking for students that were making the effort to learn Arabic (and they know it isn't offered at very many places). they were also looking for kids who would be willing to make the commitment to continue learning it after they came back.</p>