The U-M Arabic Flagship curriculum offers a high-quality, proficiency-based sequence of courses at all levels of Arabic instruction. The curriculum includes advanced courses in Arabic language, literature, culture, society, economics, and politics of the contemporary Arab world. AF students meet with tutors twice a week to practice their conversation skills and to analyze the language and content course material. Students interested in working for the US government or in international business are especially encouraged to take the courses in Business Arabic, Media Arabic and the newly-developed content courses in economics and politics of the Arab World taught entirely in Arabic.

A distinctive feature of the U-M Arabic Flagship program is the Arabic Lecture Series and  Culture Club which provides lecturers and cultural activities including conversation practice, films on the Arab world, presentations by students and guest speakers, and a newsletter--all in Arabic. The Arab Culture Club is open to the public and provides AF students with the opportunity to expand their understanding of Arab culture outside of the classroom, preparing them for the immersion experience overseas.

Flagship students are expected to join one of our Flagship sites abroad for a capstone year. The U-M Arabic Flagship program offers two programs at the University of Alexandria, Egypt, administered by the American Councils for International Education:

• 8-Week Summer Intensive Study
• Year Long Academic Study

Students who have reached an advanced level (L2+) may also have the option of going to Damascus University for a full year. The overseas programs provide intensive immersion courses in Arabic language and culture. The full-year program also includes direct enrollment at the University of Alexandria for coursework related to students' field of study and professional internships. The proficiency level L2 is required for participation in the full year program.

The U-M Arabic Flagship program offers modest tuition support to qualified students whose program of study at U-M includes at least one course in Arabic language or content courses taught in Arabic each term. The emphasis of the financial support is placed on the overseas portion of the program. Students who receive Flagship support are also eligible for other merit based scholarships from a variety of sources including U-M, Boren Scholarships, and Critical Language Scholarships. Upon acceptance to the U-M Arabic Flagship program, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The U-M Arabic Flagship program is open to current or incoming U-M undergraduate students from a wide range of disciplines and varying levels of Arabic language proficiency. Applicants from high schools and transfer students who have already completed one to two years of Arabic study or a summer intensive Arabic course are welcome to apply. All applicants must meet the following Flagship entrance requirements:

• Full-time student admitted to U-M
• Completion of one to two years of Modern Standard Arabic, or a Summer Intensive Elementary Modern Standard Arabic course
• GPA of 3.25 or higher
• Commitment to achieving Superior Level proficiency in Arabic
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident

The Language Flagship leads the nation in designing, supporting, and implementing a new paradigm for advanced language education. Through an innovative partnership between the federal government, education, and business, The Language Flagship seeks to graduate students who will take their place among the next generation of global professionals, commanding a superior level of fluency in one of many languages critical to U.S. competitiveness and security.

The University of Michigan is one of the top universities in the United States in the field of Near Eastern Studies. Its Department of Near Eastern Studies and its Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies offer highly developed programs leading to BA, MA and Ph.D degrees in the languages, literatures, cultures and histories of the Middle East in ancient, medieval and modern times. In addition, the Arabic program includes an MA in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language with Certification and another MA in Arabic for Professional Purposes aimed to prepare students for jobs in teaching, business, and government. The U-M is particularly suited to house the Arabic Flagship program because of its wealth of academic and technological resources including Language Resource Center, the LSA College’s television production studios, the Information Division Instructional Technology Laboratory, the Media Center and Media Union.

For more information about the U-M Arabic Language Flagship Program, contact:
Sofia Rosenberg, AF Coordinator
E-mail: lsa-nes-flagship@umich.edu
Web: http://lsa.umich.edu/neareast
Phone: 734.763.8177