It's no secret that our nation's security is being compromised by our lack of Arabic language skills. I got a memo this morning from AFS, a foreign-exchange organization that has a summer program to study for two months in Egypt for students who want to learn Arabic. There are 25 full-tuition scholarships available. What a great opportunity for an adventurous high school student.
Here's the memo:
Our 2006 Youth Ambassadors Summer Language Institute pilot program in Egypt proved very successful, thanks in large part to your enthusiastic support and nominations of more than 160 excellent candidates.
This year, we're offering 25 full-tuition scholarships to extraordinary young people to attend this intensive summer language and cultural immersion program that is also a homestay. The program runs from June 30 to August 13, and our Egyptian YES Program Returnees will be their guides, accompanied by AFS Egypt Staff and a U.S.-based program leader.The deadline for nominations is April 2. Though it's coming up soon, we're sure you know wonderful kids who would love to go abroad on this exciting program.
http://www.uFor more information about the program, visit afs.org/usa_en/news/article/3733
Looks like a great opportunity to me, too. We should warn the students not to practice their new language skills in an airport, though. They might get kicked off the plane by paranoid passengers and crews.