Arabic Studies Program Receives Grant

Qatar Foundation International (QFI) has awarded California State University, San Bernardino a grant in the amount of $54,915 in support of the 2014 Arabic Summer Language Intensive Program. The grant will provide need- and merit-based scholarships for 20 high school students to participate in the seven-week immersive program at CSUSB, which is set to launch on June 18. Now in its eighth year, the CSUSB Arabic Summer Language Intensive Program is one of only a small handful of residential programs in the nation that provide such an academically rigorous and culturally rich learning environment. “Language instruction remains the cornerstone of this program,” says program director Dany Doueiri, “but in reality, students get so much more. They have the unique opportunity of studying all aspects of the Arabic culture including dance, calligraphy, poetry and more in an immersive living and learning environment. Students are required to honor a language pledge and speak only Arabic for the duration of the program. They study together, eat meals together, and take field trips to culturally significant sites – all while practicing their Arabic language skills.” “The impact of this program is tangible,” says Terry Ballman, dean of the College of Arts and Letters at CSUSB. “High school students who have participated in the program in the past have fulfilled language requirements needed to earn a B.A. in Arabic Language and Culture by the time they completed high school, leaving them almost exclusively with general education courses to complete in order to earn their degrees. “Equally important, students are participating in cross-cultural dialogue that will enable them to be engaged global citizens,” Ballman said. “We are proud to partner with Qatar Foundation International in support of Arabic language and culture education.” A not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., QFI is dedicated to connecting cultures and advancing global citizenship through education. Launched in 2009, QFI’s Arabic Language and Culture program provides new opportunities for students from a wide variety of background to acquire Arabic, learn more broadly about the Arab world’s history and culture, and meet their peers – both virtually and in person. For more information about the Arabic Studies Program, please visit contact the World Languages and Literatures Department at (909) 537-7135.