The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, in collaboration with The Arab-American Language Institute in Morocco (AALIM) for the summer of 2015, is pleased to announce its Summer Language Program in the Kingdom of Morocco. Students will spend six weeks in historic Meknes, Morocco taking part in intensive Arabic language instruction. Students at all levels of Arabic proficiency are encouraged to apply.
Students will spend four (4) hours each weekday in formal Modern Standard Arabic classes, as well as complete out-of-the-classroom assignments. The AALIM center is host to a community of Arabic learners throughout the summer, providing for a fully immersive program. Students may choose to take an additional three (3) hours of Moroccan darija dialect classes.
Those selected will also gain direct personal experience in Moroccan culture, history, and society through a variety of day excursions, local outings, workshops and demonstrations. Meknes is an ideal setting for students to focus on learning Arabic while exploring ancient and modern Morocco. The main AALIM center is located inside the traditional walled old city, called the Medina, an area which features heavily in the Western popular imagination of Morocco. Meknes is also a thriving modern metropolis of over one million residents. The AALIM center is just a short walk from the bustling town center in the New City.
Program Dates:
June 8 – July 17, 2015
Summer Program Cost:
The program fee is $3,572.00. This cost is partially subsidized by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations.
The fee includes the following:
1. Facilities and Student Support: Classrooms equipped with plasma televisions and DVD players; a teaching assistant available outside of class for tutoring; an onsite coordinator capable of communicating in both Arabic and English who is completely familiar with the city and its resources, such as doctors, dentists, transportation, internet cafes, etc.; educational materials, such as copies of exams and supplementary materials, excluding textbooks; an escort from the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations; welcome dinner upon arrival, and final party including food and beverages with live music; and full use of the AALIM Center public spaces and free wifi (with your your own devices) during open hours.
2. Academic Activities: Four (4) hours per weekday classroom instruction, plus two (2) hours of available office (or by appointment) hours per weekday; first-day orientation and historical-cultural tour of Meknes; three (3) lectures or local outings in Arabic or English; and three (3) workshops or demonstrations in Arabic; a group day study visit to Volubilis and Moulay Idriss, to include accompanied transportation, a guide at Volubilis, and bag lunches; and a group day visit to Chefchaouen, to include accompanied transportation, tour of the village, and local lunch.
3. Housing: Housing and two meals with a Moroccan family; family home-stays are generally double-occupancy at AALIM’s discretion in order to provide the best possible educational setting. Single-occupancy rooms are also available.
4. Optional Upgrades: Classes in Moroccan dialect Arabic (Darija) for three (3) hours per week for an additional $180.00 (minimum class size and previous Arabic experience of 1 year required); single-room accommodations for a supplementary fee at a rate negotiated between AALIM and place of accommodations.
How to Apply:
A student application is available through the link below or can be obtained by emailing Kaylee Boalt at Kaylee@ncusar.org.
Summer 2015 AALIM Application (.pdf)
Students should submit completed applications by mail to the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (contact coordinates below). Applications must be received (not postmarked) by March 31, 2015.
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
ATTN: AALIM Program
1730 M St. NW, Suite 503
Washington, DC 20036
Email: Kaylee@ncusar.org
Phone: 202-293-6466