The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is proud to serve as the American Main Office for the Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies (YCMES), whose campus is centrally located in Sana'a, the capital of the Republic of Yemen. The YCMES is a fully accredited college located in one of the most interesting and ancient cities in the world. The YCMES provides intensive, individualized instruction in Modern Standard Arabic through its Program in Arabic Language (PAL) and English language seminars in Arabic literature, Anthropology, Political Science, and Economics through its Program in Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies (PCMES). Students may attend either program separately or combine both for a rich opportunity for investigation into the history, politics, culture, and language of the Middle East.

The PAL (formerly known as the Yemen Language Center), established in 1989, is the oldest private institution in Yemen dedicated exclusively to teaching Arabic as a foreign language and to serving the needs of international students, researchers, and the resident expatriate community. The PAL offers instruction from survival lessons to post-advanced independent study. The PAL has a high-quality staff that is well-trained and experienced in teaching Arabic as a foreign language.

The PCMES offers English language courses in Arabic literature, Anthropology, Political Science, and Economics. Each course provides 4 credit hours. The faculty is comprised of the world's most distinguished regional specialists, most of whom hold professorial appointments at leading universities. PCMES courses are all taught in a seminar setting in order to encourage maximum student/teacher interaction.

PCMES courses involve field trips and research in the country, combining theoretical knowledge with on-the-ground learning. During the spring and summer of 2011, YCMES seminars will focus on the critical and growing international development sector in Yemen and the broader Middle East. Students will engage with development experts in education, public health, water resourcing, etc.

Courses for students enrolled in the PCMES are offered in two fourteen-week semesters (fall and spring). There is a three-week winter session for students wishing to travel, conduct research, or take an intensive Arabic course, as well as a ten-week summer school session, when courses are more concentrated in time and content. A student may enroll for only one semester or for the whole year, depending on individual needs and interests.

For students only enrolled in the PAL, courses are offered in nine five-week terms throughout the year. There are two terms for fall, winter, and spring, and three terms offered in the summer as a special language program for university students. Each five-week term is comprised of roughly 100 hours of study and is intended to advance the student one half-level of Arabic, i.e. from Beginning Intermediate to Advanced Intermediate. Students may enroll in any number of terms throughout the year.

The YCMES is currently offering a 30% off discount on tuition, housing, and meals for the remainder of the 2009-2010 academic year, which ends on May 27, 2010.  They are also presently extending the 30% off discount through the summer sessions, which will end on September 22, but please be aware that this discount may be discontinued at any time.

• Sana'a, Yemen
• Program Dates
• Costs
• Links for More Information
• Application and Payment Procedures
• Contact for More Information
• Safety & Security in Yemen

Why Study in Sana'a, Yemen?

Sana'a, Yemen is an ideal context for language acquisition and cultural immersion. Unlike many other Middle Eastern cities where English and/or French are pervasive, Sana'a is one of the few remaining places in the world where Arabic is spoken exclusively. In short, it is nearly impossible to remain isolated in a Western bubble.

Summer Program Dates

Term 7: June 6th - July 7th
Term 8: July 11th - August 11th
Term 9: August 15th - September 22nd (Eid Al-Fitr break from Sept.10 to Sept. 14, 2010 – approximately)

Program Costs

Program in Arabic Language Prices

All packages include: RT ticket (from New-York/Washington/Boston for North-American packages ; Paris/Frankfurt/Rome for European packages), tuition (the equivalent of 100 hours of group instruction/term), meal plan (breakfast and lunch, 5 days a week), shared housing, cultural activities, 2 day-trips + 1 overnight trip, airport shuttle, wireless internet, library, 24/7 guard service, etc…

From North-America:
1 session: $3,260
2 sessions: $4,300
3 sessions: $5,250
Without airfare: deduct $1,600

From Europe:
1 session: 1,660 euros
2 sessions: 2,300 euros
3 sessions: 3,150 euros
Without airfare: deduct 600 euros

Program in Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies Prices

All packages include: RT ticket (from New-York/Washington/Boston for North-American packages ; Paris/Frankfurt/Rome for European packages), tuition for two seminars, meal plan (breakfast and lunch, 5 days a week), shared housing, cultural activities, 2 day-trips + 1 overnight trip, airport shuttle, wireless internet, library, 24/7 guard service, etc…

US: USD $3,730

EU:  EUR 2,150

Links for More Information

• Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies Homepage

• YCMES / PAL Admissions Information

• YCMES Blog Yemen Through Our Eyes

• YCMES Brochure (.pdf)

• 2009-2010 Application (.doc)

• Information on Safety & Security in Yemen

Application and Payment Procedures

Students interested in studying at the YCMES are invited to submit application materials and payment to the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations in Washington, DC, for forwarding to the YCMES campus in Sana'a.

Payments for YCMES Programs can be made through:
• Wire Transfer (see instructions in the application);
• Check (payable to: National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, 1730 M St. NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036); or
• Credit Card (call the NCUSAR office 202-293-6466 to do this, PLEASE NOTE CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS INCUR AN ADDITIONAL 7% PROCESSING FEE).

Contact for More Information

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Megan Geissler
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
1730 M St., NW, Suite 503
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 1-202-293-6466
Fax: 1-202-293-7770
Email: ncusar@ycmes.com