Arabic Language & Area Studies Programs in Sana'a at the Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is proud to serve as the American Main Office for the Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies (YCMES), whose campus is centrally located in Sana'a, the capital of the Republic of Yemen.

About YCMES

The Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies (YCMES) is a fully accredited, non-profit college that provides students and scholars from around the world the opportunity to develop a complex knowledge of the Arabic language and the contemporary Middle East. Students can study at YCMES for 5, 10, or 15 weeks, or more -- programs are tailored to meet students' needs.

Sana’a, Yemen is an ideal location for language acquisition and cultural immersion. Unlike many other Middle Eastern cities where English and/or French are pervasive, Sana’a is one of the few remaining places in the world where Arabic is spoken exclusively. In short, it is nearly impossible to remain isolated in a Western bubble.

Program in Arabic Language

The Program in Arabic Language (PAL), the Arabic language department within the YCMES, was the first private institution in Yemen dedicated exclusively to teaching Arabic as a foreign language. The PAL has served the needs of international students, researchers, and the resident expatriate community since 1989. The YCMES’ Arabic Language Learning Program is open to international students of all ability levels, with program lengths from five weeks to a full calendar year.

Middle Eastern Studies

The YCMES Programme in Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies (PCMES) offers multidisciplinary courses designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge of Yemen and the broader region.  Courses conform to the rigorous standards of European and American universities and are taught by talented scholars with a wealth of experience in both Yemen and the Middle East.  These courses make frequent use of field trips throughout the country, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. YCMES encourages all PCMES students to take Arabic classes as well. The two programmes are designed to complement each other.

For students who wish to enroll in YCMES Middle Eastern Studies courses, applications must be submitted by:

• Anthropology of Yemen course [19 May - 15 June] -- application deadline 1 April.
• Politics of Yemen course [16 June - 13 July]-- application deadline 1 May.

Summer 2013 Arabic Packages

YCMES is now offering a 30% discount for its regular Arabic language programme and has special Summer packages. These programs are heavily discounted and include flights, field trips, and university-level seminars. The discount is reflected in the prices listed below.

Summer 2013 Term Dates:

9 June – 10 July
14 July – 7 August (Includes break 8-17 August for Eid al-Fitr)
25 August – 25 September

Summer 2013 Package Prices for U.S. Students:

1 Term (5 Weeks): $2530
2 Terms (10 Weeks): $3295
3 Terms (15 Weeks): $3969

Summer 2013 Package Prices Include:

• Arabic Instruction: 100 hours of group instruction per five-week term
• Round-Trip Airfare from New York City or Washington DC
• Shared Housing in the YCMES dormitories
• Organised Day Trips
• Breakfast on class days
• Services including high-speed wireless internet, airport transfer, library, and 24-hour security
• University-Level Seminars:
  • 9 June – 10 July: Anthropology
  • 14 July – 7 August: Politics
  • 25 August – 25 September: Literature

Application Due Dates:

There is no due date for applications to the Arabic programme, but payment must be made a month before arrival or an additional $125 late fee is applied. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the programme is full.

Academic Year 2013-2014

Term Dates (all terms are 5 weeks long):

Autumn 2013
Term 1: 5 October – 13 November
Term 2: 16 November – 18 December
Break: 19 December – 3 January

Winter 2014
Term 3: 4 January – 5 February
Term 4: 8 February – 12 March
Break: 13 March – 21 March

Spring 2014
Term 5: 22 March – 23 April
Term 6: 26 April – 28 May
Break: 29 May – 6 June

YCMES can also arrange private tuition independent of these dates.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition depends on one’s program of study, housing request, number of hours, etc. For pricing information consult the Winter 2012 YCMES Newsletter available below.

Winter 2012 YCMES Newsletter (.pdf) (includes program dates, pricing information, and more).

Application and Payment Procedures

Students interested in studying at the YCMES are invited to submit application materials to the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations in Washington, DC, for forwarding to the YCMES campus in Sana'a.

Fall 2012 - Summer 2013 Arabic Program Application (.pdf)

Fall 2012 - Summer 2013 MES Application (.pdf)

Payments for YCMES Programs can be made through wire transfers to the school (see instructions in the application).

Safety

From the YCMES website: "YCMES maintains a close relationship with embassies, security agencies and the government, and the college management consults these bodies on a regular basis to ensure the best security measures for its students. There is a 24-hour guard in all college buildings, and travel to areas known to be dangerous is not permitted. Over its long history the college has taught Arabic to more than 9,000 students. Not a single one of them experienced a dangerous incident during their stay, and we are confident that this pattern will continue." Read more on the YCMES website.

For More Information

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Megan Geissler
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
1730 M St., NW, Suite 503
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 1-202-293-6466
Fax: 1-202-293-7770
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

YCMES Slideshow