Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world—and its cultural hub. It is a poor, crowded and chaotic country, with exciting ferment in the political, cultural, and religious spheres. Understanding Egypt is one of the keys to understanding the whole region. Students will be exposed to a quasi-democratic country with some of the trappings and rhetoric of democracy but not always its substance, which is currently in a state of enormous flux, and facing critical issues of succession, inclusion, and legitimacy. Students will be exposed to a multifaceted Islam in a variety of settings and manifestations, and to a political and religious discourse that is fascinating and unfamiliar. Most importantly, students will have many opportunities to meet and get to know regular Egyptians and come to understand their concerns, views, and ways of living.
The College’s Arabic Program is considered among the best in the country. After four semesters of rigorous preparation, students head abroad for an intensive semester led by members of the BYU faculty.
More and more students are starting their Arabic Language Studies earlier. Arabic Without Walls currently has 77 high school students across 28 states studying Arabic through BYU. Read more about their impressive progress.
