Loading ...4 States You Never Thought Would Offer Arab Studies Programs at Their Universities
By: Sophia Segal/Arab America Contributing Writer
Universities across the United States have a wide variety of studies, including Arab or Near East Studies, which many people don’t realize. These states include Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and more that you would have never put on your radar. If you’re surprised, you’re not alone. These states aren’t usually on the top of someone’s list when it comes to searching for places where one can learn Arabic; or, quite frankly, learning anything that has to do with Arab studies. Finding out about these states where Arab studies not only are available but offer a great program, was an eye-opener and a reminder of just how diverse the United States is today, and how important is the Arabic language.
How are some of these states offering such diverse programs – especially Arabic?
The first question you may be asking yourself is, “How are some of these states offering such diverse programs – especially Arabic?” Universities are amazing access when it comes to diversity. They open their doors to international students, which in turn opens the minds of everyone living in their college town. The more people the community meets, the more they want to learn about different cultures. And that, my friend, is typically how these majors and sub-studies grow in a place where you would never expect them to thrive.
How remote are these locations, you ask? Many are located in the middle of the United States. Here are four states housing strong Arabic programs that will surprise you.
Montana
There are 16 colleges and universities in the Montana area. Most of them are 4-year schools. Within these universities, they all offer an Arabic/Arab Studies program. Linked below are some of their programs: University of Montana: College of Humanities and Sciences/World Languages and Culture, Montana State University and Montana Tech.
Wyoming
Wyoming is quite a big state, but when it comes to the population, it’s very spread out. Wyoming is great if you’re an outdoorsy type of person. There’s camping, hunting, rock climbing, and so much more. Many national parks reside in this state, which attracts a lot of tourism. But when looking for a place to learn, and possibly major in Arab Studies, the University of Wyoming is the place to go.
Colorado
When you talk about Colorado, most people know about the majestic views in the Centennial State. With 62 colleges and universities, many applying for college look to Colorado for their four-year collegiate experience. You’ll be happy to know that many of their colleges offer both majors and minors in Arab studies. These universities are Colorado State University, Colorado University, and Colorado College.
Utah
Just like Colorado and Wyoming, Utah offers a wide verity of outdoor activities. They even hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002, and you can ride the same slopes as the athletes did during the games. But the important part of Utah is that they have two big universities that give students the chance to major/minor in Arab studies: the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. They are great schools for learning Arabic and Arab Studies.
Check out Arab America’s Blog Here!
