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Academics
Palestine Summer Encounter (PSE) is designed to build relationships and the Arabic classroom material will help you communicate and develop relationships with Palestinians. We will provide a beginner's arabic class focusing on the Palestinian colloquial dialect.
In addition to Arabic study, we are offering a number of other academic tracks, including: Nonviolence in Palestine, Regional Politics, Theology and the Land, Comparative Religions and the history of Zionism.
As an example, your scheduling options will look something like this:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| AM | Volunteer Positions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | ||||
| 4:00-6:00 | Arabic | Class A | Arabic | Class B | Arabic |
| 6:00-8:00 | Class C | ||||
As a participant you will be eligible for two of the tracks.
Beginner Arabic:
Colloquial Arabic for beginners using Omar Othman''s book "Yalla Nihki Arabi" which uses transliteration to teach Jerusalem dialect Arabic. Students will also be taught the Arabic alphabet which is a required foundation for further study of Arabic.
Private tutors will be available for those who are ready to study Arabic at a higher level.
You will have plenty of opportunities to practice what you are learning in the classroom with your host family and fellow employees at your volunteer placement. We encourage every participant to do so as this is the best way to improve your Arabic fluency. It is important to come with fair expectations and a good attitude. You will not become fluent or a master of Arabic in one or even three months; it can take years to master a language.
As with most language programs, if you don't study you won't learn and for those PSE participants who simply rely upon class, they will not learn much Arabic. The structure of the program is designed to try and balance volunteering, Arabic class, learning and building relationships. Participants have a great deal of control over their learning environment and can shift the balance by focusing on different aspects of the program. This is part of the beauty of PSE: your experience is greatly determined by your initiative and what you find most important.
Other Options Available
Nonviolence
Participants will study nonviolence as a practical means of opposing injustice.
Comparative Religions [Islam]
Learn about the Islamic faith.
Theology of the Land
Christian perspectives on the Holy Land.
Politics of the Region
A broader study of the political situation of the Middle East.
