Additional Information and FAQ

What is STARTALK?

STARTALK is a federal grant program managed and funded by the National Security Agency in support of innovative programs in critical-need languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian, and Russian. Additional information can be found here: STARTALK.

What is the Rowan STARTALK program?

“Discover Cairo, Learn Arabic through STARTALK at Rowan University” offers participants an opportunity to learn Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and earn 6 college credits for Elementary Arabic I and Elementary Arabic II while engaging in an interactive program to learn about the culture and history of Cairo, one of the world’s great cities.

From March to July 2024, students in this program will engage in interactive remote classes for 3 hours per week, completing Elementary Arabic I. In July, students will participate in a dynamic two-week summer camp where students will continue to develop their Arabic skills through learning about Cairo’s neighborhoods, its cultural traditions, historical sites, traditional and modern markets, business culture, movies, music, and more.

Students will also learn about Egyptian, Arab, and Middle Eastern cuisine during daily “working lunches,” eating a wide variety of food from the region while engaging in small-group conversations with college students who are native speakers trained in Modern Standard Arabic. The last day of the camp features a field trip to an Arab market in Philadelphia where students will practice their language skills, then order a lunch in Arabic at an Arab restaurant in the city. The group will reconvene for four remote sessions after camp for additional language training.

What are the dates and times of the 2024 program?

• Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 16 (EXTENDED TO JANUARY 29)
• Notice of Acceptance: Monday, February 5
• Deadline for successful students to confirm participation: Monday, February 12
  
  
• In-person Meet and Greet and Orientation: Tuesday, March 19, 6:30pm to 8:00pm
• Overall Duration of the Program: March 26 to August 1:
  • Pre-Camp Remote Instruction: March 26 to July 2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30pm to 8:00pm
  • In-person Camp: Monday, July 8 to Friday, July 19, 10:00am to 2:30pm
  • Post-Camp Remote Instruction: July 23 to August 1 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30pm to 8:00pm

What are the curriculum and details of the program?

Click here for detailed information on the curriculum.

Who is the instructor?

The lead instructor will be Lecturer Tarek Mousa, Coordinator of Rowan's program in Arabic and a native of Egypt. He has an undergraduate degree from Souhag University in Egyptology and a Master's degree in Teaching English as A Second Language from La Salle University. After working in tourism in Egypt, he came to the US and taught Arabic and Arab culture to US military personnel at Fort Dix, NJ, and to students at University City High School.

What is the cost of the program?

Thanks to generous support from a STARTALK grant, this program is completely free for accepted applicants: textbooks are provided, food is offered on each day of the in-person program, the field trip to an Arab market and restaurant in Philadelphia is covered by the grant, and the grant pays for participants' tuition: 6 college credits for ARAB 12.101 Elementary Arabic I (3 credits) and ARAB 12.102 Elementary Arabic II (3 credits).

Is the summer camp a residential program?

No, the July 8 to July 19 (2-week) summer camp lasts from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held on Rowan’s Glassboro campus.

Is transportation to and from the summer camp (July 8-July 19) included?

No, participants must arrange reliable transportation to and from the camp, which will be held on Rowan's Glassboro campus.

Do I need access to a computer?

Yes, you will need access to a computer with sound and video for the pre-camp and post-camp remote instruction portions of the program. Students are expected to turn on their cameras so they can participate fully in the remote sessions.

When is the application deadline, Rowan University's notification of acceptance, and the deadline for successful students to confirm participation?

Application deadline: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Rowan University's notification of acceptance: Friday, February 2, 2024
Deadline for successful students to confirm participation: Monday, February 12, 2024.

Who can apply to the program?

Area high school seniors, community college students, and college freshmen and sophomores within commuting distance of Rowan University’s Glassboro campus who have an interest in learning Arabic and a commitment to completing the full program, including completing homework assignments during both the remote and in-person parts of the programs.

Of course Rowan freshmen and sophomores are also encouraged to apply!

Please note that according to the STARTALK grant requirements, all participants must be US citizens or permanent residents.

Is previous knowledge of Arabic required? 

No, this program begins with Elementary Arabic I and students are not required to have any knowledge or background in Arabic. 

Who is the contact person for any questions?

Contact Dr. Edward Smith, the Program Director for Rowan University's STARTALK Arabic program, at smithe@rowan.edu if you have any questions or need additional information.

How can I apply:

Apply Here by Monday, January 22.