Arabic Language Study

Thanks to the generosity of the Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies, I was able to continue my Arabic studies this past summer and complete Qasid Arabic Institute’s (virtual) summer term.

Participating in the summer term, specifically in a Modern Standard Arabic course, was an excellent opportunity to advance my language level. The course was rigorous, consisting of four hours of class, five days a week. Class activities and homework varied between the four pillars of language acquisition: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. The course was also challenging: we were tested nearly every week with in-class quizzes, in addition to a midterm and final exam and presentation.

In addition to activities that drilled grammar and expanded our vocabulary, the instructors incorporated lessons on Middle Eastern culture and history. We read about the life of Doria Shafiq, a pioneering Egyptian feminist; about the old souks in Damascus; and about customs related to weddings and funerals. With in-person language study rendered unsafe by the coronavirus pandemic, the immersive environment that the instructors created, culturally and linguistically, was the best replacement possible.

Completing Qasid’s summer term was an important step in my (very long) journey towards fluency. My progress this past summer was apparent, as I became able to read social media posts and understand pieces of news articles in Arabic. I look forward to using my developing language skills in my internships this year, and to continuing my learning with Stanford’s Arabic language program.

After Stanford, I intend to pursue a career focused on the intersection of human rights and international security in the Middle East. Advancing my level of Arabic, at Qasid and beyond, will allow me to interact more seamlessly with people in the region, in informal conversations, and in formal interviews and research. The more proficient my Arabic is, the deeper my understanding of the region will be. I am very grateful to the Abbasi Program for their support of my language studies!