Study Abroad in Syria: Intensive Arabic Language & Culture Studies in Aleppo – City & Daily Life

Aleppo, Syria

The northern city of Aleppo is Syria’s industrial and commercial capital. Nearby excavations suggest that the area has been inhabited since the 5th millennium BCE. This jaw-dropping history is reflected today in breathtaking sites like the Citadel and the nearby Dead Cities.

Syria is a melting pot of different religious and ethnic communities known for their relative tolerance and coexistence. Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Druzism and Zoroastrianism are the major religious traditions shared by a diverse population of Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Circassians and Turkmens. Syrians are proud of their diversity and known for their warmth and hospitality.

Aleppo, a former center of trade on the Silk Road, reflects the country’s longstanding mixed heritage. CET Aleppo students are quick to fall in love with the city’s traditional architecture, lively souqs (markets), myriad cultural outlets, and wonderful cuisine—known for the creative use of hot peppers!

Safety in Syria

In accordance with its Safety Policy, CET monitors the situation in Syria closely via reports from on-site staff, experts on Syria (including our Advisory Board members), reputable news sources and the US Department of State. Such monitoring led CET to evacuate the Spring 2011 program and suspend the Summer 2011 program in Aleppo due to ongoing uncertainty and general volatility of the situation in Syria.

We are hopeful that the situation in Syria will improve, allowing us to resume operations in Spring 2012.

University of Aleppo

Situated in the heart of Aleppo, the University of Aleppo is a national university that enrolls approximately 82,000 students in 22 faculties. The CET Syria program is hosted by the University’s Higher Institute of Languages, which offers classes in foreign languages and language pedagogy. CET has its own center on the University Aleppo campus.

Syria Housing & Meals

CET students live on campus at the University’s Hospitality House. Students reside in single dormitory rooms. Syrian students share the CET hall.

The dormitory is close to Syrian student living quarters. It is also a five-minute walk from the Higher Institute of Languages, where students have their classes.

Meals are not included in the program fee. Many students cook meals in the dormitory kitchens with their Syrian hallmates. Others discover the campus area’s many cafeterias and inexpensive eateries.

Syrian Language Partners & Hallmates

Language Partners

Each CET student is partnered with a Syrian Arabic language partner. Language partners—part tutors, part friends—meet weekly with CET students. They help with homework, review tricky lessons and run through language exercises. Past students have looked forward to their weekly one-on-one time: their chance to get those pesky language questions resolved.

Language partners are students at the University of Aleppo. Most specialize in Arabic Literature or Teaching Arabic as a Second Language.

Hallmates

CET students share the dormitory hall with Syrian students—an unprecedented opportunity in the Middle East. Syrian hallmates are selected by CET for their enthusiasm and commitment to the Arabic-only language pledge. Hallmates help students navigate Aleppo’s museums, markets and movie theaters. They also attend many program activities and excursions, and are always happy to share their inside knowledge of local eateries!