Program in Arabic Language at the Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies

The National Council 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. 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.

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.

Summer 2013 Arabic Packages:

YCMES is now offering a 30% discount for its regular Arabic language programs and has special Summer packages. These programs include flights, field trips, and university-level seminars.

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

More information on YCMES programs is available in the YCMES Winter Newsletter(.pdf).

Application and Payment Procedures:

Students interested in studying at the YCMES are invited to submit application materials and payment 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 Application (.pdf)

Fall 2013 – Summer 2014 Application (.pdf)

Payments for YCMES Programs can be made through:

Wire Transfer (see instructions in the application);
Check (payable to: National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, 1730 M St. NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036); or\
Credit Card (call the NCUSAR office 202-293-6466 to do this, PLEASE NOTE CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS INCUR AN ADDITIONAL 7% PROCESSING FEE.)

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.