<p>Hi, everyone, especially the "oldtimers" from last year who are still here. Hope everyone's freshman kiddos are doing fine. </p>
<p>It's been a while since I've poked my nose into the Parents' forum or even on CC. For those who remember, my son endured the waitlist at Brown and eventually chose Emory over Tufts, UVa and some other schools. Son started out a pre-med but by the time he got to Emory had already shifted gears. He's gotten involved in Arabic and Middle-eastern studies and really loves it. (He also has 12 years of Hebrew.) </p>
<p>He talked with his prof about possibly finding a summer program in Arabic. His prof initially suggested Middlebury but that had filled up by mid-December! (Arabic classes/programs are in "high demand".) He'll be talking with another prof when he goes back in a few days but meanwhile is trying to track down some other leads. He's looking for something intensive that will give him a year's credit in the language. </p>
<p>So far he's found formal programs at Chicago and U Wisconsin (classes plus activities outside of class.) plus regular intensive classes at UT Austin and U Michigan that would do this. UT would be good from the standpoint of instate tuition and proximity for weekend trips home but he wouldn't be in a real structured program, just an intensive class. Does anyone know anything about these or other good summer language programs/classes in Arabic? Emory is going to have an Arabic summer session for the first time so that is a possibility, but I suspect he'd like a break from Atlanta. </p>
<p>There is one other possibility. Last summer, there was also a program sponsored by the State Department (COARC). This probably wouldn't be intensive enough to give him a year's credit, but the amazing thing about this is that it was free. The took 60-80 kids, raw beginners, intermediate etc. and paid ** everything ** for the programs in Morocco, Yemen, Egypt, etc. which included language study and sightseeing. I told my son that we'd be glad to have him go on a "free" program but that we weren't paying for study abroad unless he could get real credits. Unfortunately, the State Department is dragging its feet (they did this last year as well) so no one is sure if this program will exist this year. Since he is hoping to spend his junior year abroad, it's not essential he go overseas at this point.</p>
<p>Any other suggestions for programs in Arabic here or abroad?</p>
<p>I second bluebayou's suggestion of Berkeley. Their intensive summer sessions cover an academic year's worth of language in 3 months. Berkeley's language programs in general have always been world-class, but the intensive summer ones are especially known to produce accomplished, disciplined students. As a summer session student, you can live in the dorms/frat houses or sublet near campus. No car necessary, as you can use public transportation everywhere. And you know -- it's, well it's -- Berkeley!</p>
<p>call the middlebury langague schools and if the arabic is filled, get on the waiting list. It is a fabulous program that generates great results.</p>
<p>I was reading that the Univ. of Wash. has an overall Language Program that is very large for the summer. Generally the summer programs usually don't charge OOS tuition from what I've seen. The summers in Seattle are lovely, but we don't have/use air conditioning. I don't think the information is posted yet for 2007, but you can see for 2006. Of note is that the credits (15, I think) are for quarter credits, not semester. It's also very easy to fly in to Seattle and get to campus. The dorms are overfilled in the school year, don't know about summer.</p>
<p>My college recently recieved $ 1.4 million grant from the US State Dept to begin the Northwest Colleges Egypt Initiative. Forty eight egyptian students began at EDCC this past fall to study for one year in the US.</p>
<p>Edmonds Community College also offers two years of Arabic study including summer programs ( they also have dorms)</p>
<p>My daughter is an Arabic major. She took the six week SINARC program at Lebanese American University. She would love to try the eight week CAMES program at American University Beirut, but it’s considerably more expensive. Both of these programs are offered at varied levels.</p>
<p>If anyone is interested in this for summer 2011, investigate the CLS scholarships.
[Critical</a> Language Scholarship Program](<a href=“http://www.clscholarship.org/]Critical”>http://www.clscholarship.org/)
The State Department will pay for you to study Arabic for the summer, but you need to apply the December before and you need to be flexible - they choose where you will go to study.</p>
<p>Except that the State Dept. has, in its infinite wisdom, killed the Beginning Arabic Program. Now, you need to have had a year of college Arabic before they’ll consider you.</p>
<p>I checked months ago.</p>
<p>I’ve got no Arabic, yet, so I’m looking for a solid, effective, affordable, trustworthy way to learn some. Somewhere where they might still have spaces if I give them my application before the end of the week…</p>
<p>UCLA offers intensive language programs in the summer, but it isn’t cheap. Registration for non-UCLA students begins March 1st, for UCLA students Feb 1st, so you’ve got plenty of time.
[UCLA</a> Summer Sessions and Special Programs](<a href=“http://www.summer.ucla.edu/]UCLA”>http://www.summer.ucla.edu/)</p>
<p>Elementary Standard Arabic is taught over 9 weeks and gives 15 units of credit. At $243 per unit plus and IEI fee of $6 per unit that’s 3735 plus $350 registration to make $4085. Room and board are available for anywhere from $2418 to over $4000 for the 9 weeks.</p>
<p>I don’t know anyone who has taken one of the intensive language courses over the summer so I can’t offer any feedback.</p>
<p>D attended Beloit College’s Center for Language Studies for Chinese last summer and it was really excellent - cultural activities, field trips to Chicago and Madison, very challenging but fun. The Arabic group looked very cool though I don’t know much about it other than it looked like the group was having a great time. There are some scholarships available though I think this changes depending on funding. I’m sure applications are still being accepted. [Summer</a> Intensive Language School in Beloit: Summer Languages](<a href=“http://www.summerlanguages.com/index.php]Summer”>青汁の飲み方・選び方ガイド)</p>
<p>My son did the Chicago intensive program last summer. He liked it, he seemed to be learning a lot, but . . . he didn’t actually make it through what Chicago considers a year of Arabic. When he showed up for Arabic II in September, it was completely over his head. Almost a complete meltdown. Since even under the best of circumstances two years of Arabic barely gets you to the starting line for actually knowing Arabic, and one year is completely useless, I thought the summer program was completely useless.</p>