“Learning abroad in the Arab world turns one’s studies of Arabic and Arab culture from an academic into a lived experience. No lessons are as memorable as those learned through living and sharing with people. Studying in the Arab world allows students to refine what they have previously learned, while opening windows onto the beauty and diversity of the region. In terms of language, it allows students to make a tremendous leap forward with their standard and colloquial Arabic skills, and to navigate the spectrum of Arabic language registers more successfully.”
Katrien Vanpee, Director of Language Instruction in Arabic
Department Recommendations
Familiarize yourself with the graduation requirements for the AMES major or minor.
Program Selection
There are three basic types of programs
- Host-University Study Programs: programs in which students enroll in a university alongside students from the host country
- Study Center Programs: programs in which students take classes in an institute or a center for foreign students
- Study Center Programs with a university component: programs that combine courses in a center for foreign students with the option of taking courses in a university with native speakers
Best Time to Go Abroad
- AMES majors and minors may study abroad at any time during their academic career.
- AMES, however, recommends that you complete the equivalent of the first two years of language study before studying abroad. Students benefit the most learning abroad in their 3rd year and above.
- AMES does not recommend studying abroad during the final semester of your senior year unless you have completed AMES 4901W. Consult with the AMES adviser and the Director of Language Instruction in advance if you are planning to do so.
Meet With the AMES Academic Adviser
- Determine what type of abroad coursework can be used in your major or minor.
- Determine how your coursework will be evaluated upon your return.
- Complete the Academic Planning Form for Study Abroad (APSA) to structure and document your discussion at least a month prior to your departure.
- Be sure to list more courses on the APSA form than what you will actually take abroad in case a particular course or schedule may not be available on-site.
- While abroad, notify your AMES adviser via email to any changes in your onsite registration (credit, course content, new course needing approval, etc.)
Fulfill Academic Requirements
Liberal Education Requirements
- You can fulfill liberal education requirements while abroad. Consult the U-Credit Abroad database for more information.
Major and Minor Requirements
- AMES Major: It is possible to earn language credit (third year and above) and up to 3 electives through learning abroad coursework.
- AMES Minor: It is possible to earn advanced language credit (third year or above) or one elective through learning abroad coursework.
- Study abroad coursework may also be used to fulfill the Group B or C coursework requirement for the major.
- Study abroad coursework cannot be used to fulfill the five AMES-designated courses or the major project (AMES 4901W).
- Elective coursework may be taken in English or Arabic.
- Study abroad resident or transfer credit may be applied toward major and minor requirements as long as the grades are taken on an A/F grade base.
- Coursework most similar to AMES-designator courses have the greatest likelihood of being approved for the major/minor. For example, an Arabic literature/language/culture course may be approved, but an Arabic accounting or science course will not be approved.
- Most coursework will need to be petitioned upon return. A meeting with your AMES adviser prior to departure, which is required, can help increase the likelihood of your coursework abroad being approved for major or minor requirements.
Language Coursework
- When taking language coursework abroad, you will work with the program to determine your Arabic language course level. This may involve a written placement exam, oral exam, and/or writing sample. Keep in mind that you cannot receive credit for a class that duplicates what you have already taken on campus.
- If you are not satisfied with the level in which you have placed, notify the on-site staff, your AMES academic adviser, and your Learning Abroad Center program adviser immediately.
- Prerequisite (first and second year) language coursework taken abroad may not be used to fulfill AMES major/minor requirements.
Upon Return
- It is crucial to retain all coursework materials from the classes you take abroad, including all syllabi, textbooks, papers, tests, projects and presentation handouts. These materials will be reviewed by the department to determine the applicability of study abroad coursework to the major or minor.
- Consult with the AMES academic adviser to determine:
- appropriate placement into your next language course upon return.
- completion of the language requirement for the major.
- whether a placement exam is required to apply credit toward your AMES major or minor
- Contact the Director of Arabic Language Instruction for Arabic placement and proficiency testing dates, and take the exam as soon as possible upon your return.
- Because of the sequencing of AMES language courses, you may not be able to enroll in the next language level immediately after returning from abroad.
- Your APAS record will not be updated until your study abroad grades post to your transcript.
Scholarship Opportunities
University of Minnesota
- The Learning Abroad Center offers at least three scholarships for which AMES students pursuing study abroad may be eligible. In addition, some affiliate programs, including CET offer scholarships for students participating on their programs.
- The College of Liberal Arts offers scholarships that may be used for study abroad, including the Lawrence scholarship specifically for AMES students.
- The Institute for Global Studies at the University of Minnesota is offering Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships in African, Asian and International Studies. The competition is open to undergraduate, graduate and professional degree students to study a modern, less-commonly-taught language (LCTL) in combination with an area studies course. Travel to countries on the US State Department travel warning list are not eligible for FLAS funding.
National Scholarships
- The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (gives preference to students studying in Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America) offers grants to U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad.
- Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds, provide up to $20,000 to US undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to US interests.
- Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLSP) is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages.
- Fulbright supports one year of study, research, creative work, or English teaching in one of approximately 130 foreign countries. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with the majority of their undergraduate education in the U.S. Seniors, recent graduates and graduate students may apply. Campus contact for undergraduates and recent graduates: [email protected].
Programs
Africa & the Middle East
Africa and the Middle East
Jordan
- Program Type: Study Center
- Program Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer
- Housing: Dorm with local roommate
- Intensive Arabic language study
- No language requisite for Internship track; Minimum 2 semesters college-level Arabic for Intensive Arabic track
Additional Options to Consider
- 3-week, 3-credit programs at the 3000-level led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff over winter break or May session.
- Explore an exciting location and topic, Fulfill Liberal Education requirements, or earn major/minor credit.
- Combine on-campus instruction during the spring semester with a study abroad component during spring break, on a 3 credits, 1xxx level Seminar.
- Freshman Seminars Abroad are designed specifically for first-year students as an introduction to study abroad, an opportunity to explore an exciting location and topic, and likely fulfill a liberal education requirement.
- Check out additional LAC Instructor-led Seminars that might run over winter break, spring break, May, and summer sessions. They vary in length, dates, and content so students can find one that best fits their academic and professional goals.
- Begin your language study or work toward completing requirements for a language minor.
- Complete a semester of language on a short-term program or explore options to complete two or more semesters of language on semester-long program.