Academic Information Language Courses Gulf Studies Courses Academic Staff Academic Calendar Partner Institution – American University of Kuwait Other Program Information Program Management Apply Now Costs

Located at the northern end of the Gulf, the State of Kuwait is bordered by Saudi Arabia and Iraq and possesses approximately 10% of proven world crude oil reserves.  Historically, Kuwait was a significant harvester of pearls from the waters of the Gulf, but that industry disappeared as oil production became the basis of Kuwait’s economy beginning in the 1940s.  Kuwait is a founding member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait in 1990 and the subsequent Gulf War in 1991 to restore Kuwaiti sovereignty and independence left the country devastated, with much of its infrastructure destroyed.  However, its oil wealth allowed Kuwait to recover quickly.  Today the population of approximately 3 million includes Kuwaiti nationals (one-third of the total) and nearly 2 million expatriates, primarily from south Asia and other Arab countries.  More than 80% of Kuwait’s population is Muslim, with significant communities of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs present as well.  Islam is the state religion and Arabic the official language, although English is widely spoken.

Students in AMIDEAST’s Education Abroad Program in Kuwait will study at the American University of Kuwait (AUK), a private Kuwaiti liberal arts institution on the American model of higher education that enjoys a close relationship with Dartmouth College; they will also take Kuwaiti Arabic courses offered by AMIDEAST.  Students will live with host families from a variety of different backgrounds.

AUK’s campus includes modern classroom buildings together with library and IT facilities, including a restaurant – The Diner.  It is located in the Salmiya district, in easy walking distance of a vibrant shopping district with theaters, malls and restaurants of all kinds from fast-food to fine dining.  By Kuwaiti law, educational institutions in Kuwait must segregate male and female students in the classroom.  AUK complies with Kuwaiti law.

Back to the top

Academic Information

Language Courses

All students enroll in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) at a level appropriate to their proficiency.  Students enroll in MSA courses offered directly by the American University of Kuwait.

Kuwaiti Arabic instruction is offered by AMIDEAST; it begins during on-site orientation and continues throughout the semester.  Students are placed in classes appropriate to their previous knowledge of Arabic (Arabic 141, Arabic 241, or Arabic 341).

Kuwaiti Arabic I (Arabic 141; 3 credits)
Students are introduced to words, expressions, and structures used frequently in everyday life. Students practice them in class before they are given assignments to    carry out with native speakers in real situations. Evaluation combines performance in class and successful interaction with Kuwaitis. By the end of the course, students are able to ask essential questions and understand the responses, express basic facts and opinions in simple sentences, and engage in basic conversations in Kuwaiti Arabic with native speakers.  Living with a Kuwaiti family provides daily opportunity for practice

Kuwaiti Arabic II (Arabic 241; 3 credits)
Students who have already studied Modern Standard Arabic are introduced to words, expressions, and structures used frequently in everyday life in Kuwait. Students practice them in class before they are given assignments to carry out with native speakers in real situations. Evaluation combines performance in class and successful interaction with Kuwaitis. By the end of the course, students are able to ask essential questions and understand the responses, express facts and opinions in simple as well as complex sentences, and engage in conversations in Kuwaiti Arabic with native speakers about non-academic topics.  Living with a Kuwaiti family provides daily opportunity for practice.

Kuwaiti Arabic III (Arabic 341; 3 credits)
Students with a strong background in Modern Standard Arabic are introduced to vocabulary, expressions, and structures used frequently in Kuwaiti everyday life. Students practice them in class before they are given assignments to carry out with native speakers in real situations. Evaluation combines performance in class and successful interaction with Kuwaitis. By the end of the course, students are able to ask questions and understand the responses, express facts and opinions in complex sentences, and engage in conversations in Kuwaiti Arabic with native speakers about a wide range of topics, both academic and non-academic.  Living with a Kuwaiti family provides daily opportunity for practice.

Gulf Studies Courses

Students select three additional courses each semester from AUK’s offerings in Gulf Studies or from among other courses at the University.  Course listings are published by AUK and are generally made available 1-2 months prior to the start of each semester.  Course offerings will vary from semester to semester, and not all courses will be offered every semester.  Past Gulf Studies courses have included:

In addition, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program students may enroll in other courses at the University on a space-available basis.  To see a full list of course offerings you may view the on-line AUK catalog at:

http://www.auk.edu.kw/administration/uni_publications/catalog/2010_11/2010_11_catalog_course_descriptions21JUN10.pdf

Back to the top

Academic Staff

Dr. Marjorie Kelly, Gulf Studies Program Coordinator
Dr. Marjorie Kelly has taught Anthropology at the American University of Kuwait since the institution’s second year of operation and also serves as Coordinator for the Gulf Studies Program.  She has a decades-long interest in the Arab world and is a graduate of UCLA’s Islamic Studies program in addition to holding a Ph.D. in anthropology.  Her specialty is Arab society, and she also teaches courses in gender, tourism, museums, and the anthropology of the arts.  Dr. Kelly’s research focuses on the representation of culture for museum and tourist audiences and she is currently completing a survey of heritage museums in the Gulf. 

Back to the top

Academic Calendar

Fall 2010

*Please note that students who choose to participate only in the fall semester program will have “early assessment” in December in place of AUK’s scheduled Final Exams in January. Students who are participating in the Academic Year program will take Final Exams in January according to the academic calendar above.

Spring 2011

Back to the top

Partner Institution – American University of Kuwait

The AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in the Arab World partner in Kuwait is the American University of Kuwait (AUK).

AUK is an independent, private, equal opportunity, and co-educational liberal arts institution of higher education located in the Salmiya district of Kuwait. The educational, cultural, and administrative structure, methods and standards of AUK are based on the American model of higher learning. Instruction is conducted in English.

The American University of Kuwait (AUK) and Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire (USA), have been working together since 2003, when the two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding that facilitated a series of advisory, consultative, and cooperative projects. The relationship reflects AUK’s commitment to creating a premier institution of higher learning, based on the liberal arts model, and Dartmouth’s recognition of the importance of AUK’s mission. Since the relationship began, the two institutions have collaborated on a broad array of programs, including student exchanges, curriculum development, Kuwaiti accreditations and U.S. accreditation processes, and academic and administrative programming.

More information about AUK can be found on its website at http://www.auk.edu.kw.

Back to the top

Other Program Information

Orientation

Upon arrival in Kuwait, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program students participate in an in-depth orientation designed to introduce them to Kuwaiti culture, Arabic, and daily life and familiarize them with the logistics of the program. Students initially stay in a hotel then move in with their Kuwaiti host families. The orientation combines structured informational sessions with organized activities and free time to familiarize participants with Kuwait. Topics such as safety and health, family life in Kuwait, cultural adjustment, program regulations, participant responsibilities and other essential information are all discussed during orientation. During the on-site orientation students also take language placement tests, become familiar with the program’s IT environment and begin their Kuwaiti Arabic classes.

Accommodation and Meals

Students enrolled in the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Kuwait will live either with host families that have been carefully screened by AMIDEAST/Kuwait from a database of qualified applicants, or in other shared accommodations arranged by AMIDEAST in conjunction with AUK.  Some host families, particularly those for male students, will be expatriates.

AMIDEAST matches students with host families using a variety of criteria. While all placement preferences may not be met in every case, AMIDEAST will strive to make the best match to ensure a rewarding and pleasant living experience. In the event of a problem, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program staff members will be available either to mediate or to arrange a new host family placement.  Students living with host families will be provided with all meals by their host families but may find that some days it is not possible to return to the family for lunch because of class schedules.  There is a restaurant – The Diner – on the AUK campus which is located in easy walking distance of numerous restaurants and shopping centers.

Activities

In addition to the academic program, the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Kuwait offers a variety of additional learning opportunities to enhance participants' study abroad experience.

• Civil Society:  Students will encounter a variety of Kuwaiti civil society organizations ranging from NGOs active in a variety of fields to women’s organizations to sports clubs.  AMIDEAST/Kuwait and the Program Manager at AUK will organize special activities to facilitate student connections to these organizations.
• Service-learning: AMIDEAST/Kuwait and AUK coordinate organized service-learning projects either for individual students or for larger groups. With many connections to a wide range of organizations in Kuwait, AMIDEAST can adapt projects to individual student interests to ensure a unique and satisfying service-learning experience.
• Cross-cultural learning: Students will find a variety of cross-cultural learning opportunities on the AUK campus where most of the students are Kuwaitis and other long-term Arab residents of Kuwait. AUK has a full range of student clubs all of which are open to AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program students.

Excursions

AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Kuwait students participate in program-organized excursions in Kuwait and one excursion to another country in the Gulf region. The excursions are coordinated by AMIDEAST/Kuwait in conjunction with the AUK Gulf Studies program’s staff and are led by a member of the faculty. Organized activities are combined with limited free time, allowing students to explore independently within a safe and structured framework. 

Visas and Immigration

Citizens of the U.S. and 33 other countries have easy entry into Kuwait (a visa can be obtained on arrival at Kuwait International Airport).  AUK will assist with student status certification for students from other countries.

Back to the top

Program Management

The program is managed jointly by AMIDEAST/Kuwait in conjunction with AMIDEAST headquarters in Washington, D.C. and the American University of Kuwait. AMIDEAST works collaboratively with AUK manage many elements of the program, including the on-site orientation, planning of special events and extra-curricular activities.   AMIDEAST works collaboratively with AUK to manage many elements of the program, including the on-site orientation, planning of special events and extra-curricular activities. Finally, AMIDEAST/Kuwait, working together with AUK, provides comprehensive support to both participants and administrators in the event of any problems or unusual circumstances.

America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) was founded in 1951.  It has field offices in 23 cities in 14 countries in the region, giving it a well-developed infrastructure, capacity, and institutional record of successful exchange programs rooted in more than five decades of in-region experience administering scholarships and exchanges on behalf of U.S. and Arab governments, private companies, and individuals.

Since 1992, AMIDEAST has been providing quality educational services in Kuwait, with its office currently in Kuwait’s Salmiya district.  AMIDEAST/Kuwait reaches thousands of students and professionals annually through English language courses, academic advising, standardized testing, and cultural exchange programs. AMIDEAST/Kuwait has designed and administered numerous programs for youth, undergraduates, and educators.

Back to the top

Apply Now

Eligible applicants:

• Are enrolled at an accredited college or university and have completed one year of post-secondary study
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale); however, applications will be considered holistically
• Are physically and emotionally prepared to spend four months in Kuwait
• Are willing to adapt to a new, potentially challenging environment

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted and considered on a rolling basis until the program is filled. We urge you to complete your application as soon as possible, as well as contact an AMIDEAST staff member prior to submission. Applicants will be notified of admission decisions by the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World Admissions Committee within two weeks of completion of their full application.

• October 15th, 2010 – Application deadline for spring 2011
• April 1st, 2010- Application deadline for fall 2011

for the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the
Arab World on-line application.

For more information contact:

AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Kuwait
1730 M Street, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 776-9640
Fax: (202) 776-7040
Email: KuwaitStudy@amideast.org

Back to the top

Costs

Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 Fees (per semester):

These are the program fees for 2010–2011. Fees for 2011–2012 will be set during spring 2011 and will be posted to this site as soon as possible. Please note that the fees are subject to change.

Estimated Personal Expenses:

* Some host families will be expatriates, particularly for male students. In cases where host families cannot be arranged, students may live in shared accommodation with other students.  The cost listed here is for those accommodations and meals.

Tuition and fees include:

• Courses totaling 16 credits
• On-site orientation
• Housing with a host family
• Program-organized excursions
• Supplementary lectures and special events
• Medical insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation, and political and security evacuation coverage

Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Tuition and Fees do NOT cover:

• Books
• International airfare
• Accommodations and Meals if not living with a host family
• Some meals if living with a host family
• Local personal transportation
• Communication and other personal expenses

Back to the top