Arabic schools in Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor
Our Arabic schools in Egypt have long been a favorite destination for those interested in the Middle East. Known as “Mother of the World,” there is no shortage of history and culture here. Come and study at our Arabic school and you will discover that Egypt is a very cheap option; with just one Euro, you could take the tram 25 times! Egypt is nonetheless a huge country, with constant traffic and dense crowds that can be overwhelming for some. The Egyptian people are also very friendly and some will be extremely excited to see foreigners. This can be fun and, at times, a drag (for those who prefer a walk home in peace and quiet).
One of our Arab schools is located in Alexandria, in the north along the Mediterranean coast, is the quieter of the two options in Egypt. Once a bustling commercial hub and home to many foreigners, the city changed significantly in the 1950s and most of the foreigners left. Nonetheless, there are many cultural and historic sites to see and French, Greek, and Italian influence is apparent, even in some vocabulary in the local dialect. Alexandria is known for its world-famous library, catacombs, and its citadel near the port. Students who come to Arabian school in Alexandria will see very few foreigners and tourists but the population is somewhat mixed, so a foreigner is not as easily detected as in Cairo, unless of course you’re walking around with a camera and an old-style desert khaki shirt, allowing for a very immersive experience, with less English spoken. This does also mean that there are fewer western-style cafes, restaurants, and other amenities.
Cairo is the largest city in the Middle East and is not for the faint of heart. It is a bustling and chaotic place that takes some getting used to, but those who do usually love it (and some others choose to escape north to study at the Arabic school in Alexandria. You can find nearly anything in Cairo, from restaurants and nightlife to winding markets and ancient mosques. There are certainly tourists and foreigners (although not like in the past, before the revolution), but the city is so big, you might not even notice them.
Traveling around Egypt is a must and our Arabian schools are the perfect excuse to get to know: Luxor and Aswan; oases in the desert; and beach resorts along the red sea.
Jordan is one of our most popular Arabic schools, and the reasons are plentiful. Firstly, the Jordanian dialect is relatively close to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which means that students who have experience with MSA will be able to transition to the dialect more quickly than might be the case in other countries. The Jordanian dialect is also a useful one to learn, as the dialects throughout the Levant region are very similar (Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian) and the Levantine dialects are understood widely among Arabs.
Amman, Jordan’s capital, is a comfortable and easy city to navigate and spend time in, but it is also the most expensive of the options. There are many cafes, restaurants, and places to shop, as well as downtown markets to wander through and several historic sites to visit.Apart from studying at our Arabian school in Amman you will be able to make many trips to take outside Amman and nothing is too far away in this small country. Favorites include Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and hiking in the many wadis (valleys).
Students should be prepared to hear a lot of English spoken in some parts of Amman and many Jordanians speak English quite well. Tourists are also common. This can be frustrating for Arabic students, but if you are persistent you will find many opportunities to practice with friendly locals, such as the weekly language exchange at our Arabic schools.
The Arab school in Morocco is the newest destination in the Ahlan world, offering a gateway to the Western edge of the Arab world and its vibrant culture. Morocco is a large, safe, and beautiful country with a bit of everything, from deserts and mountains to beaches and ancient cities. While not as cheap as Egypt, the cost of living in Morocco is much less than Jordan.
The Moroccan dialect is very different from Modern Standard Arabic and also from the dialects found in the Levant, the Gulf, and Egypt. For this reason, it is less useful when traveling around the rest of the Middle East. French also has a strong influence in Morocco and is commonly used with foreigners. This is especially the case in touristy areas. Many students will therefore choose to focus more on their MSA skills, rather than dialect, when in Morocco.
Rabat, located along the Atlantic Ocean, is the capital of Morocco, one its four imperial cities, and home to the countries most prestigious universities. It is less touristy than many of Morocco’s other cities, but still boasts ancient landmarks, museums, a must-see medina, and beaches. There are also many cultural events and festivals that pass through. Rabat makes a great base for travel to Morocco’s many amazing sites and cities, which include Marrakesh, the Sahara Desert, and the blue city of Chefchaouen.
Ahlan World offers Arabic courses in Amman (Jordan), Alexandria, Cairo and Luxor (Egypt) and Rabat (Morocco), with highly qualified teachers. Enjoy cultural activities that offer the opportunity to practice Arabic with native speakers, and meet local people on our weekend trips and make friends in our Language Exchanges.
