Summer is for Arabic! US Students Immerse Themselves in Opportunities to Learn Arabic

From Maryland to Oklahoma to Montana, students participated in intensive experiences on college campuses and in summer camps, gaining skills and insights that will shape their academic and professional futures.

These programs shared a common goal: providing access to Arabic study and inspiring students to continue their journey toward proficiency.

Through partnerships with leading Arabic departments and organizations, QFI helped strengthen pathways for students to pursue Arabic in college and explore careers where language skills are an asset. Summer programs offered unique flexibility for educators to engage high school students in ways that are often difficult during the school year—helping them envision themselves as future college students continuing their Arabic studies.

QFI supported programs that demonstrated a commitment to high-quality curriculum, advanced instruction, and authentic integration of Arab culture into the classroom. The impact was clear: students left with stronger language skills, deeper cultural understanding, and a vision for how Arabic can open doors.

Program Highlights

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Students worked on creative projects scaled to their language level: beginners wrote illustrated stories, intermediate learners produced video narratives, and Beginning Arabic II students collaborated on a class magazine. Calligraphy students created intricate artworks showcased in an exhibit for family and faculty. The program also advanced a long-term goal of building a high school-to-college pipeline: one returning student completed four intensive semesters of Arabic before starting college.

University of Oklahoma (OU)

This pilot program bridged high school and university Arabic study, fostering intercultural awareness. Students entered with little or no Arabic and exited at Novice High proficiency (ACTFL), able to converse, narrate routines, and expand vocabulary. Six of eight students plan to continue Arabic at OU, and all reported greater confidence and cultural understanding.

University of Maryland

The Summer Language Institute offered a seven-week, nine-credit Elementary Arabic course for QFI scholarship recipients, the largest cohort since UMD-QFI collaboration began. These high school students plan to continue Arabic study, reinforcing the program’s role in building interest and a broader Arabic-speaking community.

Concordia Language Villages

Al-Wāḥa’s 2025 season featured cultural collaborations and hands-on activities: exploring Maltese ties to Arabic and Italian, Amazigh Night with traditional dress and foods, calligraphy art inspired by el Seed, Lebanese saaj cooking, and a suuq simulation where villagers bargained in Arabic. Highlights included writing names in Tamazight and sharing authentic cultural experiences.

World Language Initiative (WLI) – Montana

WLI hosted its largest Arabic summer camp yet, igniting interest in lifelong language learning and deepening cultural appreciation. QFI’s School Break Grant enabled expanded engagement, including a high school student serving as a Teaching Assistant for K–5 campers. The program sparked sustained interest in Arabic among young learners, broadened cultural awareness through immersive activities and traditions, and created a pathway for participants to advance their skills in future high school Arabic programs supported by QFI.

MSU student Camille Sampley reflected: “I loved volunteering! I doubled my Arabic vocabulary and saw campers excited to learn. By the end, they knew many phrases and left eager for more.”

University of Illinois

This two-week program introduced students to Arabic language and culture while inspiring continued study. Regular assessments tracked progress, and a closing ceremony showcased achievements. Surveys revealed high satisfaction, with students valuing cultural activities, community, and clarity on future academic and professional pathways using Arabic.

Looking Ahead

These summer programs highlight the transformative power of access to Arabic language and culture. By supporting these initiatives, QFI helps expand opportunities for students to engage deeply with Arabic and envision academic and professional pathways where their language skills matter.

Through collaboration with dedicated educators and institutions, these programs providing access to Arabic study and inspiring students to continue their journey toward proficiency. Summer is for Arabic, and for shaping futures.

About Qatar Foundation International
Qatar Foundation International (QFI), based in Washington, DC, is dedicated to advancing the value of teaching and learning Arabic as a global language.