As a recent graduate from the University of Washington with a BA in Law, Economics and Public Policy and an upcoming student at the UW School of Law, I sought to expand my worldview by improving my Arabic linguistic abilities. Although I am Palestinian and can speak colloquially, I struggled with speaking and understanding Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). For this reason I enrolled in an Arabic Language course at the University of Jordan’s Language Center. The course comprises of speaking, writing, listening, and grammar classes which focus on a range of topics. Thus far, my experience has been exceptional. The professors execute a rigorous curriculum with energy and passion, and create a healthy learning environment that prioritizes student participation.
An extraordinary aspect of this course is the gathering of students from countries around the world, including the US, Russia, Turkey, and Pakistan, for a common purpose. I am thoroughly impressed by the efforts of my peers, who have studied Arabic for years and are now able to communicate fluently in MSA. The Arabic language is layered and complex, but the various levels offered at the center aid students in building their linguistic proficiency one step at a time. I am eager to continue my studies at the Language Center at the University of Jordan, and highly recommend this course to anyone seeking to better their understanding of the political, economic, and social dimensions of the Middle East.