Question 1

intro

Accepted Answer

From northwest Africa to southwest Asia, Arabic is natively spoken by more than 290 million people and is one of the most useful languages any traveler can learn. With its guttural lyrics and musical qualities, Arabic is a language that requires practice. What better way to study Arabic than with the echos of adhans from domed mosques, the lull of waves from the Red Sea, and the sandy winds of the desert? With intensive Arabic language schools in locations as diverse as Morocco, Israel, and Egypt, there is no shortage of amazing countries you can live in while learning this flowery font.

Question 2

Best Locations

Accepted Answer

While most Arabic language schools are located in countries where Arabic is the native language, there are also several programs outside the Arab world.

The most popular country for Arabic language courses is Morocco. Located in north Africa, Morocco is an exciting place to live and study Arabic, with its sweeping coastlines and rugged mountains steeped in history that spans 2500 years. Since there are many different types of Arabic language programs in Morocco, you can customize your learning experience.

For those who are more interested in a traditional classroom environment and living in a modern city, the United Arab Emirates is a great place to study Arabic abroad. Most Arabic language schools in the UAE are located in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, and place students with host families. Some hyper-intense Arabic language courses will have you actually living with your Arabic instructor and their family for the duration of the program!

Mostly located in Alexandria and Cairo, intensive Arabic language programs in Egypt are numerous and varied. Whether you’re looking to live with your instructor and get an intense experience or learn in a more structured classroom at an Arabic language school, you’ll be able to find what you are looking for in Egypt.

Question 3

What Else You Need to Know

Accepted Answer

Throughout the Arabic-speaking world, there are many different kinds of Arabic language programs to fit whatever preference a student may have. The big question is if you would like to learn in a classroom with a traditional curriculum or if you would prefer to live with locals?

Popular courses. Traditional classroom experiences will typically mean studying at a university or Arabic language school in the morning and spending your time out and about in the afternoon. The other main type of Arabic language programs available abroad are intensive Arabic language courses, which offer living accommodations with Arabic teachers.

What makes your studies abroad more (or equally) as valuable as in your home country? Intensive Arabic language programs are a lot of work, but are also a great way to get immersed in the local culture and learn the nuances that you might not understand if you were living in a “study abroad bubble” of foreign friends or while studying Arabic at home.

Tips to get fluent fast. Learning Arabic abroad is an adventure into the heart and soul of thousands of years of history. And just like an adventure, learning a Arabic requires persistence, a willingness to go outside your comfort zone, and a Go Get ‘Em attitude.

Question 4

GoAbroad’s Inside Scoop

Accepted Answer

Rated as one of the top five most difficult languages to learn, Arabic can present a couple of challenges to students. The biggest problems arise from the different grammar structure, the unfamiliar sounds, the extra letters in the alphabet, and the fact that there are 12 forms of personal pronouns. But no pain, no gain! After English and French, Arabic is the third most common language to attain official language status around the world, so it is worth fighting through. Learning Arabic abroad also provides students with an inside look into the culture and history of 26 different countries (not to mention one very important religious book), that might not be understood completely otherwise.

Arabic language programs can be an ordeal that you have to fully commit yourself to, but by taking intensive Arabic language courses abroad, you will have the opportunity to gain fluency in a much faster time than most Arabic majors do. In addition, you'll be able to live in cool countries, like Oman or Qatar, and fully immerse yourself in unfamiliar place, which is the definition of a truly once-in-a-lifetime trip.

So do your research, find an Arabic language school in a place for an appropriate amount of time, and immerse yourself in the sands of one of the oldest tongues still spoken by millions of people across three different continents.