Skip to main content
Skip to main content

Summer Language Institute Cultural Activities

The Summer Language Institute offers a variety of cultural events and workshops that help students develop their cultural fluency.

The intensive model of the UMD Summer Institute aims to create an environment where students are immersed in the language and culture of their target program full time. Beyond their classes, students will participate in a wide array of integrated cultural activities throughout the week: film screenings, lectures and activities in Arabic and Persian, and a workshop and lecture series focusing on the intricacies of language learning and future opportunities for critical language learners.

Additionally, students will enjoy field trips, culturally relevant celebrations, and meals, in addition to time with conversation partners. This will give them the opportunity to actively use their new skills as well as become culturally competent in the languages they seek to learn.

Previous cultural activities have included the following:

Lectures / Presentations Workshops / Field Trips
Holidays of the Arab World Cooking Class
Iranian Weddings & Marriage Customs OPI Practice & Role Plays
Traditional Arabic Music Calligraphy Workshop
Iranian Calendar - Events & Festivals Arabic / Persian Film Club
Famous Figures around the Arab World Language Game Day
Persian Artist Lecture Handwriting and Typing Workshop
Middle Eastern Architecture Persian / Arabic Traditional Dress & Costume
Gesturing in the Arabic Language Library of Congress Field Trip
Persian Media In and Outside of Iran Persian Folk Dance Workshop & Presentation
Introduction to Ramadan Persian Music Workshop with Instruments