Best Middle East Studies programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trinity College Dublin has a combo program, Middle Eastern and European Languages and Cultures, where you choose one ME language and one European language, then specialize in those plus the respective cultures (history, politics, art etc) of the regions where those languages are spoken. Third year is spent in one or both regions, though there was not a ton of choice in what they considered "Middle East".

My child was considering it for Arabic/French but ended up going elsewhere so I can't speak to what the program's like. Did go over to visit and professors were very engaged and happy to meet, discuss career paths etc.

$$$

[Anonymous]

Far less $$$$ than us privates. Far less

[Anonymous]

Our neighbor's son just graduated from Bard with a degree in Middle Eastern Studies. He's starting his PhD at Texas this fall.

[Anonymous]

This is not really an answer to OP’s question, but I wanted to make sure the folks whose kids are going this route are aware of CASA fellowships.

Many of my classmates from that program have gone on to really prominent roles in Middle East studies and with the US government.
https://arabicspecialprograms.arizona.edu/casa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trinity College Dublin has a combo program, Middle Eastern and European Languages and Cultures, where you choose one ME language and one European language, then specialize in those plus the respective cultures (history, politics, art etc) of the regions where those languages are spoken. Third year is spent in one or both regions, though there was not a ton of choice in what they considered "Middle East".

My child was considering it for Arabic/French but ended up going elsewhere so I can't speak to what the program's like. Did go over to visit and professors were very engaged and happy to meet, discuss career paths etc.

$$$

It is not that expensive.

"The Arts, Humanities & Social Science programs generally amount to €21,750/year for non-EU students. This cost translates to about $23,699 USD. Though, some programs, like Social Studies (Social Work), may be more expensive." It's actually a steal relative to US higher education costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not really an answer to OP’s question, but I wanted to make sure the folks whose kids are going this route are aware of CASA fellowships.

Many of my classmates from that program have gone on to really prominent roles in Middle East studies and with the US government.
https://arabicspecialprograms.arizona.edu/casa

DP. Thank you for sharing. Is this program limited to UA students?
My kid is still in HS but I know would be interested in this in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Texas has a number of dual ME master's programs: https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/mes/graduate-studies/master-s-programs/dual-master-s-programs/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:nobody in the US knows SOAS (sadly)

I mean, those of us who hire for these roles know SOAS, which is all OP's kid needs.

I'm a hiring manager at an organization with a large MENA presence, and a kid coming out of SOAS is going to impress me more than any US LAC because the UK standards are higher for language proficiency and grades.

[Anonymous]

Agree that people who know the Arabic/Middle East studies field know SOAS.

[Anonymous]

I'd prioritize getting a European education if you are serious about the field. I'd recommend a middle eastern one if it wasn't such a contentious time.

[Anonymous]

I'd think big colleges like Ohio and MI would have most robust programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not really an answer to OP’s question, but I wanted to make sure the folks whose kids are going this route are aware of CASA fellowships.

Many of my classmates from that program have gone on to really prominent roles in Middle East studies and with the US government.
https://arabicspecialprograms.arizona.edu/casa

DP. Thank you for sharing. Is this program limited to UA students?
My kid is still in HS but I know would be interested in this in a few years.

No. It’s all US students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trinity College Dublin has a combo program, Middle Eastern and European Languages and Cultures, where you choose one ME language and one European language, then specialize in those plus the respective cultures (history, politics, art etc) of the regions where those languages are spoken. Third year is spent in one or both regions, though there was not a ton of choice in what they considered "Middle East".

My child was considering it for Arabic/French but ended up going elsewhere so I can't speak to what the program's like. Did go over to visit and professors were very engaged and happy to meet, discuss career paths etc.

Except they don’t even start Arabic the first year…

[Anonymous]

Maryland has the country’s only Persian language flagship. Had an Arabic one too, but 1/2 the language flagships nationally were cut by Dept. of Defense this summer — to pay for another missile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Might be an unpopular suggestion, but sequestered away from the middle east and its spillover issues is not the route to getting a good career in the region. I'd suggest a top student interested in this field to go to the UK and study at Oxford(!!!) or Cambridge. You will get much further.

If staying in the US, Georgetown is where it's at. Yale and Berkeley are also spectacular.

But the problem with Oxbridge is that if you have studied a Middle Eastern language in high school, you start from scratch anyhow. Your first year is then a total waste of time.

SOAS will at least place you in a more advanced Arabic course to start (but no colloquial). Of course, all American schools will do that automatically…