Frequently Asked Questions
ELIGIBILITY
I’ve never studied Arabic. Can I apply for this scholarship?
Absolutely! The Arabic Summer Language Institute program is designed for beginners.
I am in my second year of Arabic which will be completed by the end of this semester. Can I still apply?
Students who have completed no more than two years of Arabic before June 28, 2008 are eligible to apply for the scholarship. This language-intensive program is for beginning level learners of Arabic and is not able to meet the needs of more advanced speakers.
I am too old/young by just a couple weeks. Is the age range flexible at all?
No. The age restrictions must be strictly enforced.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Where can I find the application?
All application materials can be downloaded here (Scroll down to “How to Apply.”)
When is the application due?
All application materials must be received in our Portland, Oregon Admissions office on or before Friday April 4th. A complete application includes: recommendation form, pre-application form with the $75 fee (if not previously submitted), full AFS program application, answers to the three scholarship essay questions (not exceeding 400 words each), copy of a valid passport, and a one-page action plan detailing how you will continue to study Arabic for 12 months upon your return from Egypt. Applications that do not include all of these materials or are received after April 4, 2008 will not be considered.
How should I submit my application?
Applications can be emailed to arabicsli@afs.org or sent via US postal service or other courier (e.g., FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc) to the address below. We strongly recommend that you use a service through which you can track delivery since we will not be able to confirm receipt of individual applications on the deadline.
AFS Admissions
506 SW Sixth Ave, 2nd Floor
Portland, Oregon 97204
Can I fax my application?
No, faxed applications will not be accepted.
When should I submit the preliminary application?
Right away. Although you can wait until the application deadline of April 4, having your preliminary application in early ensures that we can keep you informed about any important scholarship updates while you work on the rest of your application. You can submit the preliminary application anytime via web or phone (800-AFS-INFO).
How do I know whom to contact to set-up my interview?
When you submit your preliminary application, you will receive an email with your volunteer’s contact information. This is another reason that you are strongly encouraged to submit your preliminary application well ahead of the application deadline.
I already paid the $75 pre-application fee. Do I have to pay it again for this program?
No.
I already submitted my preliminary application, but the $75 fee was waived for me. Do I have to pay it now?
No.
The AFS program application states that I need to submit a $500 deposit. I thought I only had to pay $75.
If you would like to hold a spot on another AFS program so you can go abroad this summer even if you aren’t selected for this scholarship, you should submit the $500 tuition deposit with your application. However, you do not need to submit the deposit in order to be considered for the Arabic Summer Language Institute scholarship. Your decision to submit the deposit or not will have no bearing on the scholarship decisions.
SELECTION
When will I found out if I am a scholarship recipient?
Students selected to receive scholarships and those identified as alternates will receive a phone call from an AFS Volunteer or staff member on Tuesday, April 28th.
How will I found out if I am not chosen as a scholarship recipient?
The Arabic Summer Language Institute Scholarship is highly competitive; only a small number of applicants will receive scholarships. Students who are not selected will be informed via email on Tuesday, April 28. For this reason, it is important that AFS has your email address on file and that you check this email account regularly during this period.
If I am not selected to receive a scholarship, can I still go abroad this summer?
Yes, AFS has a number of exciting summer programs to choose from. If you are interested in other programs as well, please call 1-800-AFS-INFO to speak to an Advisor. Many programs fill early or have deadlines approaching, so you should submit your full application (with $500 tuition deposit) as soon as possible. This will have no bearing on the Arabic Summer Language Institute scholarship decisions.
SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS
What does the scholarship cover?
This scholarship covers full tuition for participation in the six-week Arabic Summer Language Institute. This includes international airfare, secondary medical coverage, orientations, accommodations with a carefully selected host family, and access to a robust 24-hour support system. The scholarship does not cover domestic airfare, cost of travel documents, or spending money.
I see that scholarship recipients are responsible for domestic airfare. What does that mean?
The Arabic Summer Language Institute program begins and ends in New York City. Travel between your home and New York is not covered by the scholarship; however, the Arabic Summer Language Institute Scholarship pays for international airfare from New York to Egypt.
What are the “travel documents” and how much should I expect to pay for them?
Participants will need both a passport and a visa. Remember that a valid passport (or proof of application) is a required part of the program application. If you have not already applied for a passport, you should do so immediately. The process can take 6 to 8 weeks, and will cost between $80 and $160 depending on your need to expedite. Click for more information on how to apply for a U.S. passport. In addition, AFS will provide all the necessary forms and instructions you will need to apply for a visa for Egypt. This will happen after scholarship recipients are selected. Currently, the necessary visa costs less than $50 (subject to change).
When would I leave and come back?
This program is scheduled to begin in New York City on June 28, 2008 and end there on August 10, 2008. These dates are subject to change slightly. Participants should not make any travel arrangements until they receive specific travel information from AFS.
I have a schedule conflict. Can I begin the program a couple days late or come home a few days early?
No. Participation in the full this program requires your adherence to the dates set for both pre-program preparation, orientation prior to and after the program dates in Egypt. For your planning and decision-making, please note that participation in all orientation events listed below is required. (Most of these orientations are conducted via telephone.)
I see that post-program surveys are required. What are these and how will I complete them?
Post-program surveys are designed to assess the program’s impact and effectiveness and allow both AFS and the sponsors of this scholarship to learn from you about your experience learning Arabic in Egypt and its impact on your academic, personal and professional growth. The surveys will be completed at regular intervals for up to five years after you return. These will begin soon after your return, and will be conducted via email.
PREPARATION TO GO ABROAD
I know this program includes orientations. When will these happen?
Orientation is a mandatory component of the scholarship and is key to successful participation on the program. The orientation schedule is as follows:
Local AFS Pre-departure Orientation: dates vary – check with your local AFS Volunteer
April 29 or 30, 8:00 pm EST: Conference call for finalists, alternates and their families. This is an opportunity to speak with an AFS Program Specialist about your expectations and the requirements of the program. Scholarship recipients are expected to attend one of these calls.
May 13 or 14, 8:00pm EST: Orientation conference call. Scholarship recipients required to attend one session.
June 10 or 11, 8:00pm EST: Orientation call. Scholarship recipients required to attend one session.
June 24 or 25, 8:00pm EST: Orientation call. Scholarship recipients required to attend one session.
June 28–30: Gateway Orientation in NYC
August 9th-10th: Return orientation and debrief in NYC
What will we do at the orientations?
AFS orientations are designed to prepare students to be successful representatives of their country and to truly immerse themselves in the culture of the host country, while having fun and getting to know their fellow travelers. During orientations, program participants will have the opportunity to prepare for their experience through conversations with past participants of this program, as well as AFS volunteers and knowledgeable staff members.
If I am chosen as a recipient of the scholarship, will I need to get shots before going to Egypt?
Maybe. The vast majority of AFS countries do not require special immunizations. AFS recommends immunizations based on the information provided by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All AFS Participants should be immunized against the seven childhood diseases: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT), and polio. We recommend that you check with your family physician to determine which immunizations are appropriate for your destination based on your medical history.
LIVING IN EGYPT
Who will my host family be?
AFS host families fill out an application and are screened by local, trained AFS Volunteers, who visit every host family in their homes. AFS host families are carefully selected and screened, and do not receive compensation for hosting a student. They are selected for their qualities of stability, flexibility and interest in of openness to sharing their family life and culture with a receiving a foreigner student by hosting a student in their home, and they come in many shapes and sizes. For example, some host families have children the same age as the AFS participant, but others have older or younger children no children at all.
AFS expects host families to provide their hosted participant with his/her own bed, although not necessarily his/her own room. Host families are advised to treat their participants as a member of the family, not a guest, and therefore AFS participants are asked to adhere to family guidance regarding curfews, participate as other family members do in any household chores, and follow any house rules laid out by the family.
Will my host family be able to speak English?
Maybe. Participants in Arabic Summer Language Institute will be focused on increasing their knowledge of Arabic. To support this, we encourage students to communicate with their host families in Arabic, regardless of the host family’s ability to speak English. Egyptian host families’ knowledge of English varies from non-existent to fluent.
Will I have to adhere to any religious practices such as fasting if my host family does?
No. Living with a host family gives you the opportunity to experience daily life as Egyptians do, and provides greater opportunity to practice your Arabic. AFS host families in Egypt represent the diversity of Egypt, in terms of religion, socio-economic level, size, and interests. If you are placed with a host family who does fast, rest assured that you will not be required to. When you have questions about Egyptian culture, you can turn to AFS volunteers, and returnees in Egypt, as well as your host family.
I have family members in Egypt. Can I live with them?
No. In order to provide a truly cross-cultural immersion experience, AFS does not place students with relatives.
Will I have to wear a head scarf?
No.
How many hours each day will I spend in class?
Students spend four to six hours a day studying Arabic at a carefully selected language school.
Will I be able to talk to my parents back home while I’m in Egypt?
Yes. During the six weeks of the SLI program AFS recommends that parents encourage students to immerse themselves into this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We recommend that you check in with your parents upon arrival, and once more before you depart Egypt in order to confirm return logistics.
What kind of support will I have while in Egypt?
As is the norm for participants in all AFS programs, you will be assigned a liaison who is a trained volunteer, to whom you can turn if you have any concerns. You will also be provided with a 24 hour emergency contact number for AFS in Egypt and AFS in the United States and can turn to either organization at any time. For the Arabic Summer Language Institute (SLI), a program leader from AFS-USA will accompany students in Egypt, acting as an additional point of contact and support for you. The program leader will also teach an English course offered to the host siblings of SLI participants.
How will AFS ensure my safety while I’m abroad?
AFS is an experienced, worldwide leader in high school student exchange that has an unparalleled safety record for 60 years. Our primary concern is always the welfare, safety, and security of our student participants. AFS has a professional network of experienced staff and trained volunteers who provide support in every exchange program country. An AFS Situation Response Management Team is in place at all times to monitor events throughout the world and respond in crisis situations. While some AFS programs are curtailed in certain areas at particular times, AFS has run programs throughout the world, without interruption, since it was founded in 1947.
How much spending money should I plan to bring?
Although individual spending habits vary, AFS recommends approximately $200-$300 spending money for this program.
Should I plan to bring cash, travelers’ checks, or credit cards?
We recommend that you take a debit card with a VISA logo to use for purchases as well as for ATM withdrawals. We recommend that this account be accessible to parents/family back in the United States. Travelers’ checks can also be helpful.
