New Arabic School Abroad
Middlebury College went public with a their long-time-coming plan to set up an Arabic School abroad. This C.V. Starr-Middlebury School will be the first the Middle East, associated with Alexandria University in Alexandria, Egypt. [Press Release]
The choice of Egypt is a particular one. People tell me the accent/dialect of Arabic varies considerably in the region so Egypt ain't no Jordan which ain't no Lebannon. More than language speaking, though, Egypt is a relatively safe choice. Fewer Midd parents are going to be kicking and screaming that their daughter is going to the "dangerous" Middle East.
Now, the admin can get to work on an Arabic major so the poor kids who pour all their time into learning the language can get some credit? Summer Arabic Language School is sold out (the first to do so?), standing room only, with the CIA pushing some of Midd's own students out, according to rumor. I know what you're thinking: Arabic is so hott right now.
1 comment:
I'm new to this blog. Midd grad '79; Arabic school 82-84. Lived in Alexandria for 6 years! I'm thrilled to hear about this new school.
Incidentally, Egypt is an excellent choice linguistically, since the dialect is understood throughout the Arab world due to politics and, more important, the entertainment industry (TV and film throughout the Arabi world until relatively recently were dominated by Egyptian productions).
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