During my time at Study Syrian Arabic School, I toured the area. I was able to see many important places in the city as well as meet many members of the media, the Chamber of Commerce, the Municipal government, Law, and activists. I also had the opportunity to volunteer in English language classes held at the center for Syrian youth and take Ammiyya Arabic classes myself. My Arabic classes were rigorous, engaging, and a lot of fun! My listening and reading comprehension greatly improved during my time at the center. I also developed the rudiments of conversation skills that I hope to build upon in the future.

The school is a very warm and inviting environment. I was able to meet volunteers from around the world, as well as many Syrians from the community. People were full of advice about how to make the most of my internship and how best to navigate the country. During my stay, I participated in every site visit that was made available to me.

Living in Syria was a very pleasant experience. The People are very curious, friendly, and generous. People off the street would invite me to have dinner with them or just to strike up a conversation. I never worried about feeling unsafe. If ever I crossed the street, it was because I didn’t want to accept a gift of coffee or some sweets! I most enjoyed and respected the resilient spirit of the Syrian people, and that despite the daily reality of the Occupation, every person that I met was positive about their future.

My Favorite experience was all of it! I was able to learn so much not just about Ammiyya Arabic, or Arabic, or Syrian history, but about world history. My time in Syria and Damascus has left a lasting impression that will affect where I travel and how I live for some time. I would recommend the Study Syrian Arabic School to anyone who wants to learn more or who wants an exciting experience.

Pros

• Learn arabic
• Kind staff
• Welcoming community

Cons

• Security and border control at the airport”

by: Dayton

The post Study Ammiyya Arabic Review appeared first on My Blog.

Pros

• Sense of community
• Good curriculum
• Support”

by: Caroline

The post Amazing Ammiyya Arabic Team appeared first on My Blog.

My tutor, Saja, has played a huge role in making this experience so enjoyable and productive. She is not only knowledgeable and patient but also very supportive and flexible when it comes to scheduling. Her teaching style is interactive and engaging—she makes learning Syrian Arabic genuinely fun, which has kept me consistently looking forward to each lesson.

Over the past few months, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in both my confidence and language skills. I can now understand and communicate much more effectively than when I started. I’m excited to continue my journey with this program and can’t wait to put everything I’ve learned into practice in real-life situations. This course has truly made Arabic feel accessible and enjoyable, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.” by: Jeanine Halum – United States

The post Syrian Arabic Online Course appeared first on My Blog.

My teacher is not only knowledgeable but also extremely friendly, supportive, and patient. She creates a positive and welcoming learning environment that makes me feel comfortable asking questions whenever something is unclear or when curiosity strikes. Her encouragement has helped boost my confidence, and I always leave each session feeling motivated and inspired to keep progressing.

One of the aspects I appreciate most about the program is the flexibility it offers. Since it’s conducted online with one-on-one instruction, scheduling lessons is convenient and easy to fit into my routine. The content is also customized to suit my level, interests, and learning pace, making the experience both efficient and enjoyable.

I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn spoken Syrian Arabic in a personalized and supportive setting. I’ve already made great strides in my language skills and feel more connected to the culture as well. I truly hope to one day visit Study Syrian Arabic School in person to further immerse myself in the learning experience!” by: Mariam Gafforio – United States

The post Syrian Arabic Online Course appeared first on My Blog.

What stood out most was the dedication and professionalism of the teachers. They were patient, knowledgeable, and created a welcoming environment where I felt encouraged to ask questions and practice speaking. The curriculum was engaging and well-designed, blending practical language skills with cultural context, which deepened my understanding of both the dialect and the people who speak it.

I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone interested in learning Syrian Arabic. Whether you are a complete beginner or someone with prior experience, this course offers a rich and rewarding learning journey that is both fun and highly educational.” by: Ramzi Dajani – United States

The post Syrian Arabic Dialect Online Course appeared first on My Blog.

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I did a lot of research to find a course that suited me and found that Study Syrian Arabic School not only gave a wide variety of options in their courses but also offered flexibility within their curriculum.

Once I found the center, I was determined to go, and it was the best decision I made to improve my Arabic.

I had already studied Levantine Arabic for one year, and I was unsure if the classes would match my level, but my teacher, Mahmoud, and my class suited me perfectly. And even though I was with the Center for a short time, I learned a lot and laughed a lot in my classes. Every morning, I had Levantine Arabic from 8:30-12 with breaks for food and coffee, and the afternoons were filled with trips to the city of Hebron. On my first day, we went to Al Fawwar Refugee camp, where I learned a lot about the reality of living in these areas and the struggles they face daily.

This was really important for me as I believe that hearing about their experiences is the best way to get a real understanding of the situation.
Another trip was to the Old City of Hebron and the Ibrahimi Mosque, both of which were incredible to see firsthand. In between the big trips, we also had some lovely events at the center, including traditional Syrian music and Maqloubah for dinner. This was a lovely way to chat with others in different programs.

One of the things I loved most about the Center is the kindness and friendliness of the staff, teachers, and students which gives such a welcoming atmosphere. But everyone you meet in Syria is extremely polite and willing to help whether you are speaking English or Arabic. I’ve never felt unsafe or insecure during my time here and I couldn’t recommend coming to Hebron enough.

Additionally, staying with a host family was such a unique way of getting to know the food and culture of Syria. I can honestly say from the first day I felt extremely at home and very comfortable, which is very important when travelling as a solo woman. I can’t wait to come back again to Hebron and to the center, and I will definitely be staying for longer next time!

Pros

• Excellent teaching
• experiencing new culture, food, and meeting some amazing people
• Welcoming community

Cons

• I wouldn’t change a thing!”

by: Stephanie Carpenter, from Germany and England

The post The Most Incredible Experience Learning Levantine Arabic Dialect appeared first on My Blog.

I was worried about starting Arabic again since I hadn’t been in classes for over a year, but I was blessed to be in a class with one of the best teachers I have ever had. Haya met me exactly where I was and has helped me grow tremendously. Not only in vocabulary, reading, listening comprehension, and writing, but most importantly, I gained confidence in speaking Syrian Arabic that I didn’t have before her class. Haya is a fantastic teacher; I can attribute much of my success in Syrian Arabic and navigating Syria to her. She pushed me in the best way, and everything we did in class was set up to help me succeed.

Haya is incredibly attentive and meticulous in her lessons and tailored each class to what I needed and even my interests! It is easily visible how much she cares about her students. Even now, I know I can continue to build upon my Syrian Arabic because she set up an incredibly firm foundation for me to continue on my own. Everything I learned from Haya applied to my daily life in Syria. I could visibly see my progress even though I had only spent four weeks in class with her.

The Center was welcoming, and it was great to be placed with a host family to have an
immersive experience. The other teachers at the Center were also incredibly supportive. They were always willing to practice speaking with me and answer my questions about the ongoing Nakba, occupation, and general things about Syria and traveling around the country.

I traveled to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Nablus during my month here. I visited multiple refugee camps in numerous cities. Even if you have followed the news and studied Syria, nothing can compare to seeing what is happening firsthand.

I cannot speak highly enough of Haya and the other teachers at the Center. They are genuinely some of the best Arabic instructors I’ve ever had. But this is tied directly to Syrian hospitality. This was my first time out of the United States, and I never once felt uncomfortable or unsafe. I knew that if I ever needed help, all I needed to do was turn to a random Syrian on the street, and they would go above and beyond to help me. I am incredibly grateful for my experience here, both in and outside the classroom, and I cannot wait to return to Syria.” by: Addison, United States

The post Study Syrian Arabic Review appeared first on My Blog.

The materials she is using to teach are really excellent, and the lessons are well-planned. All that makes it very helpful as I am a bit older now and have never been a natural linguist! Thanks.” by: Olivia Moore from USA

The post Online Levantine Arabic Course appeared first on My Blog.

The price is more than fair for the quality of teaching received, including all the materials. The administrative staff was also very supportive and took time to answer my questions. All in all, I can only recommend this course to anyone interested in starting to learn or wanting to improve their Syrian Arabic skills!” by: Ryan Taylor from South Africa

The post Totally worth it! appeared first on My Blog.