Arabic Language Courses at Noor Majan (Muscat, Oman) & Sijal (Amman, Jordan)
June 10 – July 22, 2022

High school students and their chaperones will depart from their hometown to Muscat International Airport to formally begin their Arabic courses with Noor Majan Arabic Institute for the first three weeks of the program. On July 1, students will fly into Queen Alia International Airport in Amman to spend the next three weeks with Sijal Institute. Over the total six weeks spent in Oman and Jordan, student programming will consist of several components:

1. Intensive Modern Standard Arabic, Omani, and Jordanian dialect courses
2. Language partners
3. Cultural enrichment activities
4. Educational travel excursions
5. Community-based experiential learning
6. Tutoring
7. Critical intercultural communication

Students will have an immersive Arabic as One Language experience. Noor Majan and Sijal will each pair students with a local peer for the language partners component, for which pairs will meet in local public spaces of their choice to have conversations in Arabic. This component of the language curriculum will have a more colloquial tone, meant to give students exposure to local dialect and speaking habits. In addition to language instruction, students will participate in rich cultural activities and educational trips at each institute. All program-related transportation will be included (including to and from the airport).

The diverse enrichment activities offered at Noor Majan and Sijal are meant to give students a cultural perspective on life and society in the Arab world. Some of the cultural activities at Noor Majan will include presentations by local Omani NGOs, calligraphy workshops, and conversations with representatives from the Sidab Women’s group. Travel excursions will include trips to Nizwa, the Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, and Sea Turtle Reserve. During their time with Sijal, students will participate in a “Welcome to Amman” city walk, cooking activities featuring Jordanian cuisine, and a local graffiti art tour. The overnight excursion will be to Wadi Rum, Petra and Aqaba led by a professional guide and including a group jeep tour.

Accommodations 

Student and chaperone housing will be provided for the duration of the program. In both Oman and Jordan, Noor Majan and Sijal will provide furnished apartments within walking distance of the institute.

June Itinerary (Oman)

June 10 –  Arrival to Muscat, Oman
June 11 –  Orientation, Placement Test, Muscat Tour: Grand Mosque, Muttrah Waterfront & Souq
June 12 –  Arabic Class, Evening Tutor
June 13 –  Arabic Class, Language Partner, Evening Tutor
June 14 –  Arabic Class, Visit NGO, Evening Tutor
June 15-   Arabic Class, Language Partner, Evening Tutor
June 16 –  Arabic Class, Evening Tutor
June 17 –  Dakhliya Excursion: Nizwa, Misfat al-Ibriyeen
June 18 –  Free
June 19 –  Arabic Class, Evening Tutor
June 20 –  Arabic Class, Language Partner, Evening Tutor
June 21 –  Arabic Class, Calligraphy, Evening Tutor
June 22 –  Arabic Class, Language Partners, Evening Tutor
June 23 –  Arabic Class, Sharqiyyah Excursion
June 24 –  Sharqiyyah Excursion: Sur, Dow Yard, Ras al-Jinz Turtle Reserve, Wadi Shab
June 25 –  Free
June 26 –  Arabic Class, Evening Tutor
June 27 –  Arabic Class, Language Partner, Evening Tutor
June 28 –  Arabic Class, Lecture, Evening Tutor
June 29 –  Arabic Class, Language Partner, Evening Tutor
June 30 –  Arabic Class, Noor Majan Farewell 

July Itinerary (Jordan)

July 1 –    Depart to Jordan, Arrival to Amman, Jordan, Airport Transport
July 2 –    Breakfast, Orientation, Lunch, Placement Test
July 3 –    Arabic Class, Walking Tour of East Amman & West Amman Through Local Eyes, Dinner with Local Family
July 4 –    Arabic Class, Lecture (History and Politics of Jordan), Evening Tutor
July 5 –    Arabic Class, Free time (exploring, language partners), Evening Tutor
July 6 –    Arabic Class, Arabic Card Games, Evening Tutor
July 7 –    Arabic Class, Free time (exploring, language partners), Evening Tutor
July 8 –    Free Day for Traveling or Exploring Amman
July 9 –    National Holiday (Waqfat Arafa)
July 10 –  National Holiday (First Day of Eid Al Adha)
July 11 –  Departure to Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Zarb Dinner, and Stargazing
July 12 –  Depart from Wadi Rum, Drive to Petra, Spend day in Petra, Depart to Aqaba, check in at Hotel, Dinner in Aqaba
July 13 –  Breakfast at Hotel, Morning on boat to snorkel, lunch of fresh fish on boat, Return to Amman
July 14 –  Meet at Sijal for departure to Jerash (Sit down lunch, Visit to Ajloun Castle), Return to Amman
July 15 –  Free Day for Traveling or Exploring Amman
July 16 –  Free Day for Traveling or Exploring Amman
July 17 –  Arabic Class, Free time (exploring, language partners), Evening Tutor
July 18 –  Arabic Class, Visit to a Local NGO, Evening Tutor
July 19 –  Arabic Class, Free time (exploring, language partners), Evening Tutor
July 20 –  Arabic Class, Graffiti Art Tour, Evening Tutor
July 21 –  Arabic Class, Cooking Activity (Maglouba & Salad), Farewell
July 22 –  Depart to the USA

The tuition covers all coursework, cultural activities, and language exchange placement. Airfare, daily meals, and personal expenses are not included.

The summer 2022 Turath Oman-Jordan program is eligible for federal and private funding. We encourage students to seek scholarship opportunities through their home institutions and are happy to provide any documentation necessary to fulfill their funding requirements.

For pricing and more information, please contact us at info@alifinstitute.org.

Official transcripts will be provided at the end of the program. Alif is open to signing Memorandums of Understanding and School of Record agreements for the transfer of credit to your host institution. All you need to do is send an email to our Public Education Director Awad Awad connecting us to your advisor, administrator, or study abroad office during the registration process.

Eligibility

The six-week Summer 2022 Turath Study Abroad Program is open to students of Arabic of all levels. Given the intensive and immersive nature of the program, applicants should expect to make a serious commitment to learning Arabic during their time with Alif, Noor Majan, and Sijal.

*NOTE: Travel and health insurance is required for participation in the program. 

Application Instructions

This is a teacher-led program and all students must register through their respective high school institutions or home school groups. To register your high school or home school group, teachers/administrators should fill out this form and we will contact you.

Teachers, parents, and students can send us an email at info@alifnstitute.org for any further inquiries.