henna on hands

Study Abroad Programs

Study Abroad

Students majoring in the Department of Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies are encouraged to participate in the Washington University Overseas Studies program. Your studying in the countries where Arabic, Hebrew, Jewish Studies, and Islamic Studies are living cultures makes for a wonderfully exciting and inspiring program of formal and informal study. Interacting with scholars and laypeople will enable you to gain a greater understanding of the experiences and challenges those cultures have faced and are facing. The university currently sponsors preapproved programs, but other study abroad options (which require approval on a case-by-case basis) also exist. A maximum of nine units of advanced course work (300 level and above) may be applied toward the JIMES, Arabic, or Hebrew majors from study abroad or courses taken at another university. Credit will only be awarded to those courses that have been approved by the JIMES Study Abroad Adviser.

 

Arabic

As an Arabic major, you have several excellent study abroad opportunities to choose from. There are year-long or semester-long programs that focus on intensive language instruction combined with a selection of Arabic-related course work. Some of the programs feature home-stay with Arab families. You may also apply for summer language study in several Arab countries. These experiences are invaluable for refining one’s conversational skills and gaining a deeper understanding of Arabic society and culture.

WashU approved programs:

Hebrew

Washington University offers its own program at the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. While most of our participants are Hebrew or JIMES students, we have had equally successful participants come from areas of study such as biology (premeds too!), art, religious studies, business, engineering, etc. Students can also choose to study Hebrew language through the University of Haifa, which also offers an intensive ulpan course, as well as continuing language courses throughout the semesters.

WashU approved programs:

South Asian Languages and Cultures (Hindi/Urdu)

Studing abroad will allow you to travel and live in South Asia and experience this unique and rich culture firsthand. Study abroad programs focus on intensive language instruction combined with a selection of South Asia-related coursework. Thus providing students immersive language development, along with culturally rich opportunities to learn from the world around them.

WashU approved programs:

JIMES study abroad helped me engage with the diverse politics and varying culture in the Middle East and in North Africa. By providing me the opportunity to stay with a host family in Meknes, Morocco, with weekend excursions to cities like Fez, Merzouga, Tangier, and Marrakech, my understanding of what I had learned in the classroom was further enriched. Because of this experience, I found the courage to apply for a Fellowship with the opportunity to work abroad.

―Bemnet TesfayeBemnet is a current 2019 Donald M. Payne Fellow and in her second year at Johns Hopkins University SAIS, studying International Development and Economics.

Ready to Study Abroad?

Learn more about various programs and how to apply.

Visit WashU's Overseas Program website