High-quality training and lovely environment Past Review

By (Pablo de Olavide University) - abroad from 01/21/2019 to 04/26/2019 with

Qalam Center for Arabic Studies: Rabat - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying in Qalam Wa Lawh has given me the opportunity to practice my Arabic at all times, in class and outside of it, because all the staff is very committed to the linguistic immersion of the student. Classes are completely delivered in Arabic by a group of highly qualified teachers in teaching Arabic as a foreign language, what makes them understand all the issues and obstacles that we may face. I highlight the quality of teaching, the dynamics of the classes, which deal with current issues and culture in Arab and Islamic countries, and the commitment of teachers with personalized attention. In addition to the daily classes, you have the opportunity to receive tutorials once a day with a private teacher, so you can present any doubts about vocabulary, grammar or writing that you have. Even if you do not want to work on any of the above, you can dedicate the time of tutorials to talk and improve your pronunciation. But, if there is something that makes Qalam Wa Lawh even better and is the wide range of activities that they offer in order to share or improve your skills while speaking Arabic: Weekly lectures delivered by a Professor from a Moroccan university or institution (for working our listening skilss while we learn from different topics as the Amazigh culture, the Moroccan identity or Human Rights associations in this country), Weekly field trips in Rabat (for discovering the Moroccan society through its universities and institutions), Cooking Club (for working your culinary skills learning to cook Moroccan dishes), Volunteer Club (for getting engaged with the community of Rabat itself), Media Club (for working your Arabic while reading and writing articles and news), Arts Club (for sharing your astonishing artistic skills...). I would definitely recommed this program to a student that wants to improve his level of Arabic and learn about Arab societies through a carefully designed program, both intense and dynamic.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would definitely choose the same program again, as they also offer the opportunity to apply for Ibn Battuta Scholarship, mainly consists on three-month or one-month course of Modern Standard Arabic for free based on your merits.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The dynamics of the classes.
  • The topics we covered, specially the discussions.
* What could be improved?
  • The lenght of the levels, as they are only 4 weeks.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The great cultural difference