<p>another option might be to contact your local mosque and see if they offer classes in Arabic or if they know someone who teaches. Classical Arabic is usually what is taught for the recitation of the Qu'ran, but it would be a good place to start checking possibilities.</p>
<p>As far as the Andover summer session -- that is a tough choice. you could always take French this year and if you aren't selected for the Arabic summer program next summer take Arabic then and apply the following year. AFS plans to offer the Egypt scholarship program every year as long as the State Department keeps offering the grants</p>
<p>I love how it sounds and looks. I really enjoy learning about Islam and Middle Eastern affairs. I'd really like to travel around that area some day. (Lebanon, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq, etc.)</p>
<p>the selectivity is all going to depend on who applies and how many.</p>
<p>Last year, about 130 students actually completed the application (essays, recommendations, etc) and they picked 12 kids to go.</p>
<p>If you have good stats and good teacher recs, go for it. This program doesn't have as many kids apply as you would think for several reasons -- </p>
<p>The late notice of the scholarship -- many kids with good stats already have summer options lined up</p>
<p>the short time before the application is due -- with less than a month before the full application is due, some kids just don't have the time</p>
<p>The $75 application fee -- this puts some kids and parents off -- if they aren't serious, they won't waste their money applying just to see if they get picked</p>
<p>The language -- Arabic isn't all that popular and it is hard to find classes</p>
<p>If you are truly interested and can communicate that in the application -- take the chance and apply. My son had a 3.9 GPA, very rigorous courseload, excellent recs and ECs and just ok test scores. His essays were very good. He had never traveled outside the country before and he was 16 (very mature for his age).</p>
<p>This looks like an awesome program, especially for someone who loves to travel like me.</p>
<p>Hsmom, only question I have, was everything for your son safe? Egypt doesn't seem like the safest place in the world, but that could just be my view. Did he ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable in any situations?</p>
<p>And also, did his host family speak any English? Though I'd be there to learn Arabic, it'd be pretty awkward to not be able to get ideas across to the people you are living with. Total immersion in the language does not seem like the best idea to me.</p>
<p>polkahard -- my son felt very safe, as did everyone on the trip. Cairo is a very safe city as far as the middle-east goes. There are areas in Egypt that are considered dangerous for Americans, but the students were not allowed anywhere like that. They did have an adult in Cairo that was available if there were any problems -- but there weren't any. AFS did a great job of keeping everyone safe.</p>
<p>My sons host family all spoke English (it is pretty common there). His "sister" is in America now on an exchange program and spoke English very well. His "mother" was a former English teacher. he actually wished that his family spoke less English since he felt that he would have learned more Arabic that way -- but the summer seems to be a little short to get the real benefits of true immersion.</p>
<p>I was planning on applying but never got around to it.</p>
<p>Now there are better plans in the works though. TRASP 2007 should be taking place in Iraq, where we'll be filming a documentary on real Iraqi culture.
However, unless we get a grant it'll be costing around $2k per person. Plans as of now are tentative and the program may be delayed until summer 08. PM me if you're interested.</p>
<p>Did anyone apply for this program from CC this year? If so, have you heard anything yet? My daughter applied but hasn't heard yet. We were so grateful to hear bout this on CC lst year and thrilled when they re-opened the opportunity this year. Thanks to HSMom(?) I think?</p>
<p>my son also applied to YFU -- when did your daughter hear? they told my son last week that they were still deciding, but I have the feeling that he was not a choice or he would have heard.</p>