Jordan

Qasid Arabic Institute

Before you meet with an education abroad advisor be sure to complete the "Advising Form" linked at the top of this page.

Please note that you will not be able to apply for semester or yearlong education abroad program until you've met with an education abroad advisor. To make an appointment, please contact internationalprograms@noctrl.edu or call the Center for Global Education at 630-637-5132.

Program Overview

Eligible participants must be at junior or senior level with a 3.0 GPA preferred.

In this institute, one of the leading centers in the Middle East for Arabic language learning, students are immersed in a five-level comprehensive curriculum, taking them from the pronunciation of basic sounds to a level of language mastery. The Jordanian dialect is considered to be among the closest to Classical Arabic, making Amman an ideal setting for learning Arabic. Language classes meet three hours a day, five days per week, and place special emphasis on developing a student’s ability to converse. In addition, students may take a dialect class, pursue an internship or enroll in other classes related to Arab culture. Excursions to area sites are also included.

Internships are only available for students with substantial Arabic language ability.

Qasid Arabic Institute website

Academics

Students earn 12 credits studying Arabic at Qasid Arabic Institute. Students study either Classical or Modern Standard Arabic which comes back as MCL 100, 200, 300, or 400 depending on the level of Arabic. If students successfully complete all Arabic courses, the 12 credits earned abroad will count as one year of language study and fulfill the college language requirement. As this is an intensive language program, in addition to three hours of class, five days per week, students should expect to study 4-8 hours per day out of class studying Arabic on their own time.

All grades earned abroad affect students North Central College GPA when transferred back. Students cannot take courses pass/fail.

Note:  Students must have courses pre-approved by North Central College prior to taking them abroad. If students change their course schedules while abroad, they must get this change approved. Some departments only permit students to take a certain number of courses that count toward their major abroad; by getting all courses pre-approved, this ensures that these courses will count towards their degrees.

Housing and Meals

Students choose between residence halls or apartments. Students have the option of choosing apartments that are already furnished; more information regarding accommodation will be given to students once they have been accepted to the Qasid Arabic Institute program.

Meals: not included in program fees.

Estimated Costs

Students in Direct Enrollment programs (i.e. Universidad Viña del Mar) pay North Central College tuition plus a $4,000 program fee. A $30 non-refundable application fee is due at the time of application submission. This program fee includes placement, orientation and guidance fees, as well as standard self-catered housing. The College selects accommodations; if students choose to upgrade, they are responsible for paying any difference in cost. Unless otherwise noted, the fee does not include airfare, travel to and from airport, meals, visa fees, departure tax, books, national insurance, personal travel or spending money. North Central College financial aid does apply.