Study Abroad
The Middle East Committee encourages students to explore study abroad opportunities which allow them to deepen their understanding of Middle Eastern languages, history, and cultures.
The Office for International Study has a list of Smith–approved programs in the Middle East and North Africa. All of the pre–requisites listed below are Smith requirements.
The Middle East Studies Committee is able to support students who are planning to study one of the region's languages (e.g., Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Farsi, Berber) during the summer 2010. The support is made possible by an endowed gift by Leila Wilson '34. Applications can be downloaded from Middle East Grant app 2010 page.
Deadline for submission of applications is Friday, March 12, 2010.
Israel
N.B.: Special waivers are required of students electing to study in Israel. Please contact the study abroad adviser and/or the Office for International Study for more information.
- Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (Kibbutz Ketura, in Israel's southern desert)
Pre–requisite: One year of college–level Hebrew or Arabic
- Ben–Gurion University of the Negev (Be'er Sheva)
Pre–requisite: One year of college–level modern Hebrew
- Haifa University, Dept. of Overseas Studies
Pre–requisite: One year of college–level modern Hebrew
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rothberg International School
Pre–requisite: One year of college–level modern Hebrew
- Tel Aviv University, Lowy School for Overseas Students
Pre–requisite: One year of college–level modern Hebrew
- Tel Aviv University Engineering Program (Boston University)
Pre–requisite: One year of college–level modern Hebrew
Jordan
- CIEE in Jordan (Amman)
Pre–requisite: One year of college level Arabic
- SIT Jordan: Modernization and Social Change (Amman)
Pre–requisite: One year of college level Arabic
Morocco
- SIT Morocco: Culture and Society (Rabbat)
Pre–requisite: One year of Arabic language
- SIT Morocco: Migration Studies (Rabbat)
Pre–requisite: One year of Arabic language
Summer Programs
Students who wish to take summer courses abroad or domestically should follow the procedures for summer school credit available in the Class Deans Office.
Financial aid for summer study abroad may be available via international study grants at the Office for International Study. The Class Deans Office also provides limited funding for summer study (usually no more than $500) based on a competitive application process.
Middle East Studies and Summer Hebrew Language Study in Israel
Universities in Israel offer intensive summer programs for all levels of Hebrew language study, and courses in Jewish studies and Middle Eastern studies.
Financial aid may be available for study and advanced research in Israel via the http://www.smith.edu/jud/summer.php
NB: Special waivers are required of students electing to study in Israel. Please contact the study abroad adviser and/or the Office for International Study for more information.
Berger Funds for Study in Israel
http://www.smith.edu/studyabroad/grant_berger.php
Arabic Language Study in the U.S.
Middlebury College: Arabic School (Oakland, CA)
Beginning in the summer of 2009, all students admitted to the Arabic School will study at our new second site at Mills College, in Oakland, California.
Hebrew Language Study in the U.S.
The following institutions offer excellent intensive summer Hebrew language instruction.
There is very little financial aid available for students studying at domestic (U.S.) programs. Students planning to attend a program at an American institution should apply for financial aid at that institution and for assistance through the Class Deans Office.
- Brandeis University: Brandeis Hebrew Language Summer Institute (Waltham, MA)
- Bradies University–Middlebury School of Hebrew (Middlebury, VT)
- The Jewish Theological Seminary: Hebrew Immersion Program (New York City)
Islamic Studies in the U.S.
Georgetown University Summer Program in Islamic Studies, Development and Democracy (Washington, D.C.)
