Application &
Admission*
Can I apply if
I’m residing outside of the United
States?
Yes, provided that all parts of the application
(including the fee and transcripts) are received by
the UVa International Studies Office by the
application deadline. But you must return to the USA
prior to the Program to attend an orientation session
and travel with the group.
What factors play in
admission?
Many factors play a role: grades, grades and grades;
a commitment to the study of the language and program
goals; the level of applicant
(graduate/undergraduate); letters of reference; level
of Arabic at time of application; the
applicant’s school and its strong/weak program
in Arabic; regional distribution; and many
others.
If I apply and I
don’t get admitted into the Program, can I get
reasons for my rejection?
No. The Selection Committee deliberations and notes
are not given out.
If I’m put on
the waiting list for admission, when will I be
notified of a possible slot?
It is hard to tell. It all depends on your rank in
the waiting list and who withdraws of those admitted
to vacate a slot. If you are an alternate, you will
be notified immediately of any change in your
status.
*once you are
ready to apply please see the Application
Guidelines before submitting your
application.
Academics
Are there different skill levels?
The Program is comprised of three different skill
levels in the study of Modern Standard Arabic: Lower
Intermediate, Upper Intermediate and Advanced Modern
Standard Arabic. Lower Intermediate is the
equivalent of the second full academic year of Arabic
at an accredited US college or university; Upper
Intermediate is the equivalent of a third year of
Arabic; and Advanced is the equivalent of a fourth
year. To be eligible for the Program, and in order
to enroll in the lowest level, a student must have
completed at least one full academic year, i.e. two
semesters, of Modern Standard Arabic. The Program
also offers a one-hour course for all students in
Jordanian Colloquial Arabic for all levels, which is
taught during the first half of the summer
session.
Will the credits transfer?
Most universities accept transfer credit for courses
completed at accredited universities. To transfer
credit hours from the UVA-Yarmouk University Summer
Arabic Program, applicants are strongly advised to
check with the office responsible for study abroad
programs at their university.
How do I request a transcript of my
participation in the Program?
A letter bearing the participant’s signature
and year(s) of participation must be sent to the
Program Office at UVA to request the obtainment of
transcripts.
How many credits can I take?
The number of credits obtained depends on the level a
student is enrolled in: Lower Intermediate, 9
credits; Upper Intermediate, 7 credits; Advanced, 8
credits; Islamics, 7 credits.
Can I audit classes or take the courses for
non-credit?
All classes must be taken for credit – auditing
is not allowed.
Can I take courses at Yarmouk University in
addition to my Arabic courses?
Due to program scheduling and extended hours of
instruction, participants will not be able to combine
the Arabic language courses and content courses at
Yarmouk University. Various extra-curricular clubs
are available to students during the Program,
however.
How long is the program?
The specific dates of the Program vary slightly each
year. However, the Program runs for two months,
beginning around mid-June and ending roughly in
mid-August.
What level of proficiency will I achieve
after one summer session?
Each level is the equivalent of one full academic
year, i.e. two semesters of study of Modern Standard
Arabic at an accredited US college or university.
Proficiency levels vary depending on which level a
student is enrolled in, in addition to the student's
own dedication to learning.
Are there certain rules or academic
restrictions?
The UVA-Yarmouk Summer Arabic Program maintains a
very strict attendance policy, which requires
students to attend all classes, illness being the
only exception. Students must sign this policy at
the beginning of the Program and abide by it at all
times. Students are also expected to follow the UVa
Honor Code.
Living Conditions
What are the residences like?
The apartments in which students reside are
comfortable and spacious. Each apartment is
comprised of a large living/dining room, one bedroom
with two single beds, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The
living/dining rooms are furnished with chairs, a
couch, TV, telephone, desk, and dining table. The
kitchen includes a large sink, many cabinets with
silverware, pots and pans, a stove/oven, and a
refrigerator/freezer unit. The bathroom has a
shower, as well as a large sink, mirror and washing
machine. In past years students have been extremely
satisfied with the size, comfort, and convenience of
the apartments.
See housing facilities Pictures.
Can I bring my
child/spouse/partner?
No. There are no facilities at Yarmouk University to
accommodate spouses, partners, or children.
Can I live off-campus?
Living off-campus is not allowed. All students are
housed in apartments at Yarmouk University.
Are single rooms available?
No. All students are separated by gender and paired
with a roommate. Students can choose their roommate
prior to arrival in Irbid, Jordan.
What kind of food is served? Are special
diets accommodated?
There are no specific food services provided by the
Program. Students are free to eat at restaurants or
make their own food. Restaurants in Irbid are cheap
in comparison to American restaurants; purchasing
food and making use of the kitchen is also very
cheap. Students with special needs can go to one of
the many grocery stores and purchase special items
that they may need.
What is the average age of the students, and
what type of student attends the Yarmouk
Program?
Over the years students have ranged from the ages of
18 to 50, but the average age is around 21. Students
who attend the Program tend to be undergraduate and
graduate students pursuing degrees in Middle Eastern
Studies, Arabic language or linguistics, and other
degrees related to the Middle East. Of course, this
does not mean that one pursuing a path of study not
related to the Middle East will not be considered for
admission into the Program.
What is appropriate attire?
Recommended attire for women is a long dress, pants
or jeans, with a blouse or shirt that extends to the
elbows. Attire common in America and Europe that
shows off the waist, cleavage, or the back is not
appropriate. For men, appropriate attire consists of
pants or jeans, and a shirt extending to the elbows.
Although shorts are becoming more common among males
in Irbid, this phenomenon is mostly seen among
children and teenagers, and is therefore not
recommended for our students.
What is the weather like?
The weather in Jordan varies in the summer months,
but in general it is very dry and arid, with
afternoon highs consistently in the low 90’s
(Fahrenheit). Evenings are often extremely temperate
and sometimes even cool, with the Mediterranean
breeze reaching all the way to Irbid. There can be
heat waves during the summer that raise daily
temperatures in the 100’s; and during these
heat waves the evening temperatures may be higher
than normal.
What is the best way
to bring money to Jordan? On an ATM card, in
traveler's checks, a certain amount of cash,
etc.?
ATM cards are the best option. This method is more
practical in Amman than Irbid, but the banking scene
in Irbid is also changing rapidly. Bring some money
in the form of cash and travelers’ checks as
well. You will get a bit less for the latter than
cash, but travelers’ checks do offer a degree
of safety.
Financial Aid
How much does the Program cost?
The Program cost for summer 2010 is $6,300.00*. For
a more detailed breakdown, please consult the Program
Information.
*NOTE: The Program
cost is dependent upon airfares and may be subject to
minor change.
Is financial aid offered? What kind of
financial aid is offered?
Applicants are encouraged to investigate financial
aid possibilities at their home institutions such as
FLAS (Foreign Language and Area Studies) as well as
others.
Health Issues*
What kind of health insurance is
required?
Every program participant is required to have health
insurance with overseas coverage. Contact your health
care provider to verify that you will be covered
while abroad, and to determine how that coverage
works (e.g., if any health expenses must be paid out
of pocket).
What kind of health facilities and hospitals
are available?
Students can use the Yarmouk University student
health center for minor health concerns. If larger
problems arise, there are four hospitals in the
immediate vicinity, as well as medical specialists
with private clinics scattered throughout Irbid.
Is tap water fine for drinking?
We recommend that participants drink bottled water,
which is cheap and easy to obtain. In the past, some
participants have consumed tap water, as local
residents do drink the tap water. In the past few
years, private purifying companies have been founded,
and participants can buy water containers larger than
bottles, which reduces the cost of water.
* Please also visit the Center
for Disease Control's Health Concerns
for MidEast Travel Guide for a complete
overview of potential (although unlikely) health
concerns.
University Facilities
Are recreational facilities
available?
Students have access during the weekdays to Yarmouk
University’s track, soccer field, tennis
courts, and gymnasium, which contains a basketball
court and a volleyball court. Students also have
access to the University swimming pool, but the days
are restricted and separated by gender. Males have
access twice a week and women access on two other
days. If students desire the use of other
facilities, they can purchase memberships at other
gyms or recreational facilities in Irbid.
Are banks and post offices
available?
There are many banks in Irbid, as well as many
independent facilities for money and traveler’s
check exchange. There is a branch of the Cairo-Amman
Bank conveniently located inside the campus of
Yarmouk University. A branch of Western Union is
affiliated with the Cairo-Amman Bank, so direct
transfer of money within 24 hours is available. The
main Post Office in Irbid is located in the downtown
area of the city, which is a five-minute cab ride.
Most mailing or shipping, however, can be handled
through the branch of the post office located inside
the Yarmouk University campus.
Are their library facilities to borrow books
and study?
Yarmouk University recently built a new library,
opened in the fall of 2002. This library is
considered the most comprehensive and modern library
in Jordan, and will be a great place for studying and
borrowing books in both Arabic and English.
Traveling
If I have frequent
flyer miles, can I use them to travel on my own to
join the Program?
Program participants travel as a group. The Program
makes the group travel arrangements. You may face
difficulty obtaining a ticket with frequent flyer
miles to coincide with the dates of the Program
travel, so you are advised to use your frequent flyer
miles for other travel purposes.
Can I be allowed to
participate if I’m already residing in a Middle
Eastern country at the time the Program
starts?
No, you cannot. All participants MUST attend the
orientation session in New York, and MUST travel with
the group.
Can I arrange my own
flights to and from Jordan?
While you are free to extend your stay or change your
final destination at the conclusion of the
Program, all participants must attend an orientation
session in New York and travel as a groupto
Irbid.
Why is group travel a
requirement?
The group travel arrangements are a requirement of
the Program for a number of reasons. First, all
participants must attend the mandatory orientation
session in New York prior to departure for Jordan.
This meeting is essential; it is a time for
administrators to meet with and speak to students
about daily life in Jordan, an opportunity for an
informative question and answer session, and a chance
for students to mingle with each other and choose
roommates for the summer.
Second, group travel is
essential for logistical reasons. We cannot afford
for participants to arrive individually and at
different times in the airport in Amman because of
their varying points of departure. Traveling as a
group ensures arriving as a group and simplifies an
already complicated travel process.
Third, group travel enables us
to make airline travel arrangements by certain
Program deadlines, and therefore removes the
uncertainties of individual participants waiting too
long to purchase tickets or not securing the funding
to do so before scheduling deadlines.
Is traveling an option
on weekends?
Traveling is encouraged on free weekends, but all
traveling must be done within the appropriate times.
Students are free to leave after classes on Thursday
(the last weekday of class in the Yarmouk schedule)
and are required to return by 11PM on Saturday
evenings (as Sunday is the beginning of the academic
week). In past years, students who traveled on
weekends usually did so in Jordan itself.
Participants can also travel during the mid-semester
break, or at the end of the Program.
Does the Program sponsor any
trips?
Yes, the Program sponsors two mandatory
educational trips. The Program provides bus and room
expenses, but students must purchase their own food.
The first trip is usually held on the second weekend
of the Program, and consists of a one day outing to
three major historical sites in Northern Jordan: Um
Quais, Ajloun, and Jerash. The second trip falls
close to the mid point of the Program and is a full
weekend trip to Petra and the southern port city of
Aqaba. This trip includes two overnight stays in
comfortable hotels, one in Petra and one in Aqaba.
What are the best times and destinations for
extended travel?
The best times for extended trips are during the
four-day break, which always falls close to the
mid-point of the Program, around mid-July. This is a
time when many students choose to travel within
Jordan or to neighboring countries. The best
opportunity for extended regional travel would be
after the Program ends. The decision to extend
one’s stay in Jordan in order to do extra
traveling must be made by late April, when the
Program airline tickets are usually reserved.
Extended dates entail extra charges to the airlines.
Students will have to make such arrangements with the
Program travel agent.
Other Queries
Who can I contact with additional
questions?
For further information, please consult the Program
web page before making Program inquiries.
It contains a wealth of general information and is a
good starting point for answers to your questions.
Questions regarding the application process should
be directed to the International Studies Office. All
other questions should be directed to the program
coordinator at UVAYARMK@virginia.edu.
Or
contact:
The Program Office at the University of Virginia:
UVA-Yarmouk U. Summer Arabic Program
P.O. Box 400781
B027 Cabell Hall
Charlottesville, VA 22904
