AUB Summer Arabic Programs

I cannot say enough good things about CAMES' Summer Arabic Program at AUB. To start with, AUB's campus is classic, with gorgeous view of the Mediterranean, situated right on the Beirut Corniche. It is such a fun atmosphere. CAMES provides students with transportation, and on-campus housing is great. I felt very safe the entire time. The program staff was excellent. Director Mahmoud al Batal is a visionary leader. They made it an exciting endeavor to be a part of. I was really pushed in my ability to communicate, spending hours of the day in the library and in the classroom. It is an academically intense program, so be prepared to work hard. However, you will definitely reap rewards. For anyone who's seeking to enjoy Beirut, learn about Lebanese culture, and better their Arabic by leaps and bounds, this program is for you.

I participated in the CAMES summer Arabic program (Modern Standard Arabic) in the summer of 2017. It was the best thing I could have done to drastically improve my Arabic speaking skills! The course was intensive, and I sat in the classroom from 8 am until 3 or 5 pm, 5 days a week. There was a significant workload, but it was manageable and incredibly helpful. There was always time for fun, especially on the weekends, and I had the chance to hang out with my cousins in Lebanon and explore new parts of the country with some friends too. The teachers are all incredibly nice and invested in making sure that you are giving 100% to learning Arabic. They are excited to be there. It can be intimidating to be in a new place where you don't speak the language fluently, but the people are kind and welcoming, and I would highly recommend exiting your comfort zone for the sake of learning. The quality of education was great, and I felt safe the entire time I was in the country. My recommendation would be to find a living situation off campus if you are comfortable doing so, so that you can live more comfortably, grocery shop, eat healthier food, etc. (I lived in the dorms on campus.) I chose to go on this program on my own initiative, as my school does not send students to Lebanon, which is a shame considering how fantastic the experience and education was--I would recommend others who are serious about improving their Arabic language knowledge to take advantage of this program.

I am so happy I was able to study at AUB over the summer. The campus is amazing, and the Arabic instruction I received has been unparalleled. Beirut is an incredible city with so much to do, and I cannot wait to return.