A study abroad immersion in the Middle East, Arabic classes for foreigners Past Review
By Hanif Y (HISTORY., The College of William and Mary) for
Damascus University: Damascus - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I now speak nearly perfect Syrian colloquial Arabic, can navigate my way around the Syria, Lebanon and Turkey with ease, and have confidence about my Arabic skills in reading, writing and comprehension. I made incredible Syrian friends I still keep in touch with and I can't wait to return!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
| The term and year this program took place: | Summer 2009 |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took special Arabic classes for foreigners at Damascus University taught by local professors and very professional staff. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Damascene bureaucracy is a nightmare, inside and outside the university. Be prepared to go to different ministries, embassies, and out of the way offices to get everything together. Be a sport, it's all part of the fun! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I live with an old Syrian landlady and a few other international student tenants from Korea, Germany, and Italy. It was incredible to have both Syrians and International students in the same house old Arabic house deep in the heart of the old city. |
| * Food: |
Food was so incredibly cheap, natural, easily accessible and delicious...both bought and prepared meals. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I am incredible Syrian and international friends, spoke to children, the elderly, experienced the religious and ethnic mixing pot of Syrian life and had an incredibly time! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Damascus is the safest city I have ever visited. I walked around time late at night or early in the morning and felt completely safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Tuition for higher lever Arabic classes at the University are actually a few hundred dollars more expensive than lower lever ones. Students who think they might place into advanced courses should take this into consideration. I also wish I had budgeted for more private tutors. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I limited contact with foreign students outside of class, made friends who were Damascus University students and only spoke Arabic in class. My landlady also spoke no English. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Completely immerse yourself! Don't worry about wasting money, but focus on not wasting time. Travel within the country as much as you can. Spend time with children, the elderly and families, because they will give a real picture of Syria. Make Syrian college friends, and do not, do not, do not get sucked into the international expat American crowd. You can make American friends when you're back home! |
