Summer Language Institute Cultural Activities
The Summer Language Institute offers a variety of cultural events and workshops that help students develop their cultural fluency.
Students practice calligraphy
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.
Students prepping ingredients for a Middle Eastern dish
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 |