Study Abroad Opportunities

MELC students often seize the opportunity to study abroad in the Middle East and North Africa during the academic year and during the summer. A study abroad program is a wonderful opportunity to study a language, conduct research for an honors thesis, participate in an archaeological excavation, work in a museum, and, of course, travel. Depending on the program, students can transfer credits back to Berkeley and in some circumstances, the courses may count toward a major or minor degree.  All courses taken for the major must be at least 3 units, taken for a letter grade, and approved by the MELC faculty major adviser. Students are advised to ask the faculty advisor to review their upcoming courses before beginning their study aboard program.

UC Berkeley coordinates a variety of study abroad and summer abroad programs through its Study Abroad Office. There is also a system-wide program, the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), that offers programs for students across all UC campuses. Students may also participate in programs unaffiliated with the University of California. After exploring these websites, students are encouraged to make an appointment with Michelle Ayazi (mayazi@berkeley.edu), the MELC Department's dedicated advisor in Berkeley's Study Abroad Office.

Be sure to ask about scholarships and financial aid and look for additional aid with the Center for Middle Eastern Studies that can support program and travel expenses. The MELC Department's Undergraduate Advising Team also can direct students to programs matching their interests.

Study abroad programs in the Middle East, North Africa, and other regions often combine intensive language study, general courses, and field trips. Below is a list of recommended programs in which past MELC students have participated, sorted by language.

Arabic

The University of California Education Abroad Program

Many UC Berkeley students study Arabic abroad through the UCEAP that supports intensive language programs in EgyptJordan and Morocco.

The American University of Beirut's Summer Arabic Program

AUB's Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies offers language programs at different levels.

Amideast

Amideast supports academic year and summer abroad Arabic language and area studies courses in Jordan, Morocca, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. 

The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

CIEE supports academic year study abroad and summer abroad Arabic language programs in Jordan and Morocco.

Critical Language Scholarship

Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman

Hebrew

The University of California Education Abroad Program

Many UC Berkeley students study Hebrew abroad through the UCEAP that supports an intensive language program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Tel Aviv University, the University of Haifa, and the Ben Gurion University of the Negev

All three universities offer study abroad and summer abroad programs that can include intensive language training in Hebrew.

Persian

Turkish

American Councils for International Education

Boğaziçi University Turkish Language and Culture Program, Istanbul

The American Research Institute in Turkey offers a summer fellowship for advanced learners. Learn more here.

Critical Language Scholarship, Ankara University Tömer Institute

Dilmer Language School, Istanbul

Turkish Flagship Language Initiative

Students begin this program with a summer residence at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and then shift to the Azerbaijan University of Languages in Baku, Azerbaijan in the fall. Students are supported with Boren Scholarships (undergraduate) or Boren Fellowships (graduate).