This January, faculty from the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures (SEELC) and the Department of Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures (NESA) collaborated to offer The Taste of Arabic and Russian Cultures, a J-Term course for students at Metro Early College Middle School. Led by Associate Professor of Practice Marité Labaki from NESA and faculty from SEELC, the course provided an engaging introduction to both languages and their cultural traditions.

Students learned greetings and phrases in Arabic and Russian, explored the Arabic alphabet, and practiced calligraphy. They also gained insights into Arab culture, including its traditions, history, and influences. As a culminating project, around 30 middle schoolers researched, prepared, and presented interesting final projects to their peers, all while enjoying Middle Eastern and Russian delicacies. The experience was met with enthusiasm, with students describing it as both fun and eye-opening. (see pics.) 

 

We are grateful to Metro’s administration, staff, and classroom teachers for their support in making this collaboration possible. It was a privilege to engage with these bright young learners and contribute to their exploration of global cultures!