How competitive is the admissions process for the summer Arabic programs?Admission into the CAMES summer Arabic programs is highly competitive. Since the program entails a very heavy workload, we require that our applicants have a strong GPA, good recommendation letters from their Arabic teachers or other professors, a strong interest in Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic and a high level of commitment to the program. CAMES gives priority to academics, graduate students, undergraduate students and professionals who require Arabic for academic and professional purposes.
How do students apply to the summer Arabic programs?Prospective participants may apply to the summer program by completing the
application form and providing all the supporting documents.
How do I know the appropriate level of Arabic for me?On the application form, applicants are required to list the number of years or semesters they spent studying Arabic, the texts they used and the number of chapters they covered, and provide a writing sample in Arabic. The program begins with a mandatory placement exam for all students who have had any exposure to the Arabic language. This testing ensures that the student will be placed in the appropriate level of Arabic.
Are all the fees for the summer Arabic programs mandatory?The tuition fee and the insurance fee are mandatory. The fees for accommodation on AUB campus and the use of AUB's sports facilities are optional.
Does CAMES offer any financial aid to students applying to the summer Arabic program?AUB offers some
financial aid to students in the summer Arabic language program.
Can CAMES help students with travel arrangements to Beirut?Students must make their own travel arrangements to Beirut but CAMES can help by offering advice about travel plans.
What kind of visa do students need to attend the CAMES summer Arabic programs?
Students need to get a tourist visa to attend the CAMES summer Arabic programs.
Can students get a visa for Lebanon upon arrival at Beirut airport?Visitors of most nationalities may get tourist visas at Beirut airport. Check with the nearest
Lebanese embassy or consulate or with
Lebanese General Security to find out if you can get a tourist visa at the airport upon arrival or if you need to apply for one beforehand. Visas obtained at Beirut airport are usually valid for 30 days and are automatically renewed for an additional 30 days. Students may also get a three-month tourist visa to Lebanon from the Lebanese embassy in their country of residence. All visitors to Lebanon need a passport valid for a period of not less than 6 months from the date of entering Lebanon.
It is important to note that passport holders with an Israeli stamp in their passport will be denied entry to Lebanon. Please be advised that the information provided about visas is up-to-date but is still subject to change by Lebanese General Security without notifying AUB.
What types of field trips are included in the summer language program?Trips during the week include afternoon cultural outings in the Beirut area. There are usually four day trips on Saturdays to sites of historical and cultural interest outside the Beirut metropolitan area. See our
Cultural Immersion page for more information about field trips.
Do students need to make any financial arrangements for personal expenses?Students must budget for their own travel expenses to neighboring countries and around Lebanon, as well as their meals and books, which are not included in the fees. Credit cards are widely accepted in most places in Lebanon. There are many international banks in Beirut and ATMs are widely available.
Which textbooks does the summer Arabic program use?The main textbooks used in the program are the
Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum al-'Arabiyya series by Brustad, al-Batal and al-Tonsi. The books will be available for sale in the AUB campus bookstore. Students may buy the books once their level of Arabic is determined after the placement exam:
- Alif Baa: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds, 3rd edition, (Brustad, al-Batal, al-Tonsi) (+ accompanying website)
- Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum al-'Arabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic: Part One, 3rd ed.(Brustad, al-Batal, al-Tonsi) (+ accompanying website)
- Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum al-'Arabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic: Part Two, 3rd ed.(Brustad, al-Batal, al-Tonsi) (+ accompanying website)
- Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum al-'Arabiyya: A Textbook for Arabic: Part Three, 3rd ed. (Brustad, al-Batal, al-Tonsi)
What is the next step after acceptance into the program?The full fees are due around one month before the start of the program. Details of how to pay are included in the letter of acceptance. Payments can be made by cash or bank transfer. Credit card payments are not accepted.
Can students in the program do research or work part time during the program?The summer Arabic program is highly intensive, so students will have very little time to engage in any other activities. Students have 6 hours of classroom study per day and should expect an additional 4 or 5 hours of homework.
Do students receive a transcript at the end of the program?After completing the summer Arabic program, every student may request an official transcript from the Registrar's office at AUB. The transcript indicates the course number, the level of Arabic studied and the grade achieved.
Can the credits earned in the CAMES summer Arabic programs be transfered to other universities?Universities worldwide will accept the credits earned in the CAMES summer Arabic programs. Students may order official transcripts from the Office of the Registrar at AUB after completing the program.
Can prospective students contact former participants in the summer program?Prospective students may contact
CAMES if they would like to be put in touch with former participants in the summer Arabic program.
What is the grading system followed by the CAMES summer Arabic program?CAMES follows AUB's
grading system.
If you don't see an answer to your question, e-mail CAMES!