Arabic Flagship Newsletter ععررببيي ببررننااممجج االلررئئييسسيي االلببررننااممجج

University of Maryland, College Park

School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Spring/Summer 2011

This Year, AFP Heads in New Directions With a new directorial team kicking off this past academic year (2010-2011), the Arabic Flagship Program at the University of Maryland experienced new and exciting changes. Evident throughout the halls of Susquehanna, the headquarters of both AFP and the Arabic Department, the departmental community dived into a year filled with extracurricular and co-curricular activities, which undoubtedly strengthened not only our language skills but also our community.

Additionally, the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, welcomed three new incoming staff members, Chelsea Sypher (Director of Special Language Programs), Katherine Giuffre (AFP Program Coordinator), and most recently Katlyn Leight (AFP Program Assistant). Under the directorship of Dr. Valerie Anishchenkova, this new team revamped departmental programs as well as initiated new student activities. Among several educational as well as social activities, AFP maintains a busy schedule with regular guest Arabic lectures, weekly Grammar Lab sessions, revised clubs, and student internships!

Main Semester Events

February 7

February 9

March 11

April 9

Amman: A Young Arab City

Guest Lecturer: Hope Fitzgerald (UT-Austin)

Arabia 3D

Field Trip to the IMAX in DC

Koshary: Fuel of the Revolution

Party for the Revolution!

Arabian Nights

The Organization of Arab Students annual show

From left: Dr. Liu, Katlyn Leight, Dr. Anishchenkova,Chelsea Sypher, Katherine Giuffre

April 21 Sham El-Neseem

An Egyptian Spring Celebration

May 6 Closing Dinner

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Three AFP Students Receive CLS Placement This year, three of Maryland’s very own recently received notice of their acceptance into the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program, a prestigious United States Department of State summer intensive language program. After long applications and several rounds of interviews spanning from early November through March, two second year AFP students, Rachel Mayer and Kevin Butts, as well as one third year student Iman Ng relaxed, glad to hear their hard work and love for languages finally seemed to pay off.

The CLS program funded by the Department of State provides full scholarships for intensive language study in thirteen

foreign languages deemed critical in our ever-globalizing world. Additionally, the program offers both cultural and linguistic immersion in countries where languages such as Arabic, Azerbaijani, and Hindi are spoken. Of particular interest to our students, CLS offers Arabic and Russia language instruction. While both Rachel and Kevin will continue their Arabic study abroad (Jordan and Tunisia respectively), Iman received acceptance into the CLS Russian program.

Iman, a two-time veteran of the CLS Arabic programs abroad decided last November to expand his cultural and linguistic boundaries by applying to the CLS Russian

program. Currently, Iman studies both Russian and Farsi concurrently with Arabic. Although honored by his acceptance into CLS for a third year, after a great deal of thought, Iman decided to decline his acceptance in order to complete his AFP capstone year in Syria or Jordan at the graduate rather than undergraduate level. When asked about any advice he may have for Rachel and Kevin, Iman poignantly responded, “Endear yourself to the people. Try to find out what makes them proud of their Arab identity”.

New Program Assistant Joins AFP Team

This past April AFP students, staff, and faculty welcomed Katlyn Leight as our new Program Assistant. A 2010 graduate of the University of Michigan AFP, Katlyn enters our community at the University of Maryland, eager to be not only an excellent addition to our administrative team but also an approachable student liaison and supporter during the ups and downs of Arabic study. After returning from her Flagship Capstone Year in Alexandria, Egypt in 2010, Katlyn worked for the American Councils High School Scholarship Program. While there, Katyn aided in the application and placement process of high school exchange students both in the United States and abroad. Now, as our new Program Assistant, Katlyn will work closely with our Program Coordinator, Katherine Giuffre and Chelsea Sypher, the Director of Special Programs. After graduating with degrees in Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science, Katlyn is excited to be in an Arabic speaking environment once again.

As a new addition to our community, Katyln says many AFP

students are hesitant to speak Arabic with her, however as students become more comfortable, she hopes they will stop by her office to chat. Eager to help advance our programs and learning environment, Katlyn proves to be an essential help for faculty, staff, and students.

Spring 2011

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In fact, after a summer of multiple applications and

independent Arabic study in order to maintain his fluency

levels, Max finally received a few interviews. However, here’s

the catch, that handful of interviews and an even smaller

number of subsequent job offers all came through people Max

knew. In light of increasing job competition, not to mention the

high-stress race for graduate school acceptance, many seniors

may feel lost. In particular, students who study focused

fields such as Arabic Language may find themselves staring at a

large, ironic wall, which waits for that time when they turn

their tassel left and exit their undergraduate career.

Although studying a critical

language used to ensure a certain level of job security, many AFP graduate students as

well as Katlyn Leight, AFP’s

new program assistant, all agree that a degree in Arabic does not

guarantee immediate success particularly when it comes to the

odious job-hunt. Rather, a degree in Arabic coupled with a

keen sense of self, will certainly pay off in the post-graduate daze

of applications. Although AFP graduate students hail from

different backgrounds and undergraduate experiences,

many seemed to agree on three things: first, you must network,

second, study in order to maintain your Arabic fluency,

and third, focus your efforts according to personal goals and

interest.

However, perhaps most stressed among their responses would be

self-discovery and awareness. In order to better target

opportunities, the preliminary step prior to job applications, all spoke of intentional

prioritization and goal setting.

One graduate, who currently works with Iraqi refugees in our

nearby Riverdale community, expressed that apart from the

required, formulaic steps of volunteering, finding an

internship, and studying abroad, at the end of the day,

undergraduate students must come to terms with themselves

before expecting to find a career post-graduation.

So, really, what should you do after graduation? Find yourself.

Grad Corner Advice and Experiences from AFP Graduate

Students

Many seniors here at the University of Maryland, might agree with AFP graduate student Max Martin, when he says, “[after graduation] I flung a million resumes into the ether”, but unfortunately to no avail.

Spring 2011

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Continued

“Just walk into it with an open mind, man” says student filmmaker Jon Hancock the director and editor of the student-collaborative short film Al-Haq: Filthy Religion, just one day after the films campus premiere. Conceived, created, acted, and produced by a group of Arabic Studies students, plus fellow creator Ahmad Arbaboun’s father Abdolkarim Arbaboun, the short film certainly aroused notice, if not controversy within the Arabic Department as well as the campus at large. The films main conceptual team included Jon Hancock, Ahmad Arbaboun, and Wayne Mowrey, as well as Arabic students Farah Khan and Shawn Letourneau as actors.

Submitted to Campus MovieFest (the largest national university film festival in the United States) Al-Haq withstood three rounds of judging making it to the final campus premiere of the top sixteen films. The film, a silent five-minute short

presented in gritty, black and white portrays a series of scenes, which both main directors Jon and Ahmad believe acquire different meanings and forms according to both when and who views their work. Despite the films clear fluidity, Al-Haq contemplates with a duality of quiet reflection and screaming grief, the confused, violent, and painful religious experience of the Middle East.

The use of un-subtitled Arabic throughout the film functions as a tool to further reflect upon this experience, particularly in regards to outside perceptions of the Arab world. Both Ahmad and Jon agree language competence is the first step on that long, winding road to cultural understanding of the diverse peoples and identities found throughout the Arab world. The absent subtitles provoke viewer introspection on the strong ties between linguistic and cultural understanding.

While Al-Haq conceptually manifest itself gradually, the films initial, propelling ideas hit Ahmad one night, while driving alone down Route One. Originally, while driving that night, Ahmad thought to himself what if Abraham died? The father of both Isaac and Ishmael, the father of both Judaism and Islam – what would happen if he died? From that thought, sprung the teams’ work, whereupon the film came to represent different personal processes for each member.

While each member contributes a unique perspective and experience to their team, the one factor that brings cohesion to their group is most certainly a collective love for the Middle East and the greater Arabic speaking world. As for future plans the team plans to enter Al-Haq: Filthy Religion into this years upcoming Sundance Film Festival.

Student Produced Film Screened at Campus MovieFest

From Left: Shawn Letourneau, Farah Khan, Ahmad Arbaboun, Abdolkarim Arbaboun, Jon Hancock (not pictured: Wayne Mowery)

Spring 2011

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Both a student within the AFP and the ROTC, Wayne Mowery barely finished orientation at the American University of Cairo (AUC) for his spring study abroad session, before heading home, as Egyptian riots quickly escalated into a revolution. As we all kept one eye on Al-Jazeera live streaming here in the Arabic Department, Wayne experienced the seeds of revolution with excitement and confusion as he peered out from his Zamalek dorm room and wandered the streets with Egyptian protesters.

Most poignantly, an intermediate-advanced speaker of Egyptian Colloquial Arabic (ECA), Wayne found himself warmly welcomed by Egyptian protesters and by-standers. As a result of this very warmth, perhaps considered Egypt’s modern claim to fame, Wayne felt welcomed as a participant rather than merely an outside observer. With willingness to share and exchange with Egyptian protesters by using his ECA, Wayne seized the opportunity to connect with the working poor, middle classes, and un-employed young professionals who largely made up the revolution.

Crucial to this cross-cultural exchange was Wayne’s desire to speak ECA with protesters at the onset of the revolution, which, without a doubt, opened the door to new types of dialogue and a deeper cultural understanding. As an American, where protests occur at regular intervals, Wayne expressed an initial gap in terms of understanding the exact magnitude of those early January protests, adding a certain element of surprise at the fast escalation and subsequent evacuation of AUC students.

However, as a direct result of Wayne’s engagement in spontaneous

interaction with protesters he was better able to grasp the significance of the continuing demonstrations. On one of his excursions outside of his dormitory, Wayne stumbled upon a group of men chanting “Yes We Can!”, the infamous slogan from President Obama’s campaigning days. This serves as an excellent example exclaimed Wayne, as throughout his experience in Cairo, he found that protesters longed for the acceptance of Western nations in their struggle against the regime.

Importantly, before his departure from Cairo, Wayne noticed the distortion of American media coverage of the revolution, which acted as a disservice to the Egyptian people’s cause. Despite difficulties living in Cairo at the start of the revolution, when asked if he wanted to return home, Wayne laughed, as he could not think of anywhere else he wanted to be more.

Witnessing A Revolution

On March 11th, students, faculty, staff, and language partners gathered for authentic Koshary and to hear stories of revolution and triumph at the start of the Egyptian revolution. A national dish, Koshary mainly consists of rice, lentils, and macaroni, a hardy staple for protesters. Above, Dr. Inas Hassan organizer of the popular Arabic Department event, Koshary: Fuel of the Revolution proudly presents her country’s flag.

Celebrating the Egyptian Revolution

at UMD

Spring 2011

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In light of recent upheaval throughout the Arab World, Capstone Students worked through difficult transitions, as they moved from the University of Alexandria in Egypt (top) to the Al-Akhawayn University (bottom) in Morocco.

First Person: Senior Alberto Ramos on Capstone Transitions an extension of the Mediterranean, in terms of culture) I did not really feel overwhelmed by the outgoing nature of Egyptians, or the fact that some things in Egypt never really worked as they should. I didn't mind that our rooms were tiny, or that street food was, well, cooked on the street. Or that there are no (enforced) traffic laws in Egypt, or that everybody stared and/or tried to make conversation with you once they realized you weren't Egyptian. From the beginning, I felt comfortable and welcomed.

I'm not sure I feel entirely qualified to give out advice, but I'll do my best. Anybody can study abroad in Europe for a semester, but to immerse yourself in another culture for a year takes an open-mind. You will need to place yourself in uncomfortable situations, because that is the only way to truly pick up the language, and it won't be easy precisely because these situations will be avoidable. You will literally have to choose the hardest path of those before you and the experiences that you will have will change your life. I can hardly imagine myself as I was when I first arrived in Egypt a year ago and I know that returning to the US will be hard, but I do not regret for one second having chosen to participate in the year-long program. Whether you are in Ifrane or in Alexandria, you have to set your own priorities [which]will sometimes mean they will clash with those around you. Some people will want to speak Arabic every waking second, no

matter what, and some people will want to go sit at a cafe, talking to old men and smoking shisha all day; everyone has their own goals and you must be prepared to sometimes go solo. That being said, your Flagship cohort will become your family, especially for those who travel for the year. You will literally go through everything together and you will need to support each other through it, because it will be difficult. You won't always get along. I know that, during our final days in Egypt, I was more concerned with us staying sane while all being locked up in a small apartment, waiting for a final verdict on the evacuation from American Councils, than I was of Mubarak's thugs or the Egyptian Army.

To end on a positive note, I feel that my language abilities have improved immensely. Nothing can replace language and cultural immersion and I highly recommend studying abroad in the Arab world, especially in these fascinating times.

Reflection by:

Alberto E. Ramos

Government and Politics, B.A., Arabic Studies B.A.

University of Maryland, College Park).

The number one buzz in Susquehanna Hall among the Arabic students is the upcoming Capstone year. Many are anxious to find out when and where they will be leaving for their AFP 12 months abroad in the Arab World. Despite uncertainties and collective anxiety, students remain optimistic and excited about this experience, as it will prove to be of the utmost importance in acquiring a superior proficiency in both Modern Standard Arabic and a dialect. Currently, wrapping up their 2010-2011 capstone year, six of University of Maryland’s AFP students struggle to adjust to the various changes, which confronted them as they moved from Alexandria, Egypt to Ifrane, Morocco as a result of unrest in the region. One student, Alberto Ramos offered to share a few of his experiences and advice for current AFP students looking towards their Capstone Year:

It is hard to look back to the beginning of last summer, when we first arrived in Egypt, and truly grasp how unaware I was of the experiences that awaited me. People always refer to the problems of "culture shock", but this does not begin to encompass the multitude of factors that we [dealt] with.

Life in Alexandria proved not only to be very bearable, but also a lot of fun. Yes, there were a lot of difficulties with communication, especially that first summer, but as time progressed our ECA improved amazingly. Perhaps because I grew up in Puerto Rico (and they say that the Caribbean could almost be considered

Praesent pretium lectus a dui.

The Arabic department along with UMD community members gathered together on April 21st to celebrate the Egyptian spring holiday Sham El-Neseem. The event featured excellent Middle Eastern cuisine, traditional egg painting, professional henna, and an educational presentation.

Sham El-Neseem: Celebrating Egyptian Cultural Strength in the Wake of Revolution

New Clubs a Success for Arabic Department

This past spring semester, the Arabic Department initiated three new clubs for both AFP students as well as students of Arabic language at UMD. These new clubs include: Calligraphy Club taught by Ustaz Alkebsi, Film Club led by Ustaza Jendi, and Cooking Club led by alternating professors and language partners. All clubs were held in Arabic providing a fun, new environment for language learning. Students improve their conversational skills in Modern Standard Arabic as well as dialect, as they interact with different native speakers, whether drawing classical calligraphy, discussing an Arabic film, or learning how to make various traditional, Middle Eastern dishes.

Each club meets on a regular basis in order to serve two main purposes: first to incorporate added cultural education to the Arabic program and second, to facilitate group activities and enhance departmental community. As usual, AFP makes a point to extend Arabic clubs to any students interested in Arabic language or culture. Many students and even conversation partners attend these clubs, as they always promise a great time. Additionally, the clubs would not be such a successes without the dedication of our Program Coordinator Katherine Giuffre, Professors Alkebi, Jendi, and all other participating volunteers!

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Junior, B.A. Arabic St. wmowery.umd.edu

AFP Coordinator kgiuffre@umd.edu

Senior, B.A. Arabic St., B.A. Poli. Sci. arbaboun@umd.edu

For more information:

Arabic Flagship Program

University of Maryland

3215 Jimenez Hall (mail)

2105 Susquehanna Hall (office)

College Park, MD 20742

Tel: 301.405.4742

Email: arabic@umd.edu

Created By:

Maryam Y. Elbalghiti

University of Maryland, College Park

B.A. Arabic Studies ‘12

Arabic Flagship Program Newsletter Intern

melbalgh@umd.edu

Spring 2011

Mission Statement

The Language Flagship leads the nation in designing, supporting, and implementing a new paradigm for advanced language education. Through an innovative partnership among the federal government, education, and business, The Language Flagship seeks to graduate students who will take their place among the next generation of global professionals, commanding a superior level of fluency in one of the many languages critical to U.S. competitiveness and security.