Tyler Somes was in his second year of Arabic language study at the George Washington University when he became interested in spending a semester of study in the Arab world. With a double major in international studies and Arabic language, the sophomore from upstate New York felt that this would help him realize his goal of becoming proficient in this difficult language. The ideal program would place him in a university setting where Arabic is the dominant language, in a country where Arabic is widely spoken, with the opportunity to live with an Arabicspeaking family.

AMIDEAST’s fall semester program at Mohammed V University-Agdal was well-suited to Somes’s objectives. He took Modern Standard and colloquial Arabic plus courses about Morocco and the region. In addition to living with a host family, Tyler was pleased to be matched with a “language partner,” a Moroccan student who became the perfect conduit to discovering the local culture and developing friendships with Moroccans.

The program whet Somes’s appetite to continue exploring the Arab world. As it drew to a close, he approached AMIDEAST about internship opportunities in its field offices. This led to an internship for spring semester in Cairo, supporting AMIDEAST’s study abroad program in Egypt. Then it was on to the West Bank for the summer to take a volunteer position working with AMIDEAST/Ramallah, assisting with a summer camp program that provides enrichment and activities for Palestinian refugee youth.

“I spent an incredible year in the Middle East,” Somes says. “I gained language proficiency, lifelong friends, and insights into international career opportunities. Someday I hope to return to the region in a professional capacity.”