Damascus Summer Encounter 2008

Damascus Summer Encounter is a 1 to 2 month service learning program in Damascus, Syria. Participants will volunteer with a local church or humanitarian organization, study Arabic through the Berlitz program, meet local community and religious leaders and explore the region with excursions to Palmyra, Aleppo and other cities and sites of historical and cultural significance.


This program is created in partnership between Middle East Fellowship and The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. It is open to peoples of all nationalities, ages and faiths.

Purpose
The purpose of the Damascus Summer Encounter is to create opportunities for friendship and partnership between the peoples of the Middle East and the rest of the world. The program will allow participants from around the world to build relationships with the Christian and Islamic communities of Syria, to serve the local community through vital service projects and to learn about the peoples of Syria and the richness of their history and culture.
Travel the Region
Those who join us for the Damascus Summer Encounter will have the opportunity to visit sites of historical, religious and cultural significance, such as: Palmyra, Aleppo, Hama, and the Krak des Chevaliers Crusader Castle.

Home Stays
Participants will stay with local host families in Damascus for three nights, sharing in the daily life of the local community. By doing this each participant will get a unique "insider's" view of the culture.

Service
All participants will use their unique talents and gifts to serve the local community, either through individual volunteer opportunities or group volunteer projects.

Arabic Language Instruction
The Damascus Summer Encounter will partner with the Berlitz Institute in Damascus to offer introductory Arabic classes for beginners and advanced students. 3 hours a day, 4 days a week.


Dates:
Two Month Option
AJune 19 — August 14
One Month Options
BJune 19 — July 17
CJuly 17 — August 14


Deadlines:
The deadline to register for the Damascus Summer Encounter program is May 12th, 2008. The final deadline for payments is May 20th, 2008. We strongly recommend that you apply well before the deadline so as to save yourself additional airfare costs and leave you breathing room to prepare for your journey.

Late Applications:
Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. A late fee of $75 will be charged.

Costs (without flight):
2 Month Session: $2,765 (Package A)
1 Month Sessions: $1,680 (Packages B and C)

Price Includes:
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Transportation from the airport
  • Housing
  • Arabic course
  • Weekend excursions
  • $150 registration fee
  • Preparatory Materials (packet and CD)

    Prices do not Include:
  • Airfare
  • Visa and departure tax

    Register Now!


    More Questions? Refer to the frequently asked questions page

    Volunteer Opportunities

    Arab International Univeristy
    (formerly: Arab European University)
    Volunteer Supervisor: TBA

                                                           More Photos from Arab International University

    Volunteer Project: Teaching/Tutoring
    Description: The Arab International University is a new private University in Damascus. Classes are taught exclusively in English. Primary disciplines of study include: Business Administration, Pharmacy, Computer/IT, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts. They are also pursuing the possibility of opening up an International Relations Department. The semester ends in mid-July but 60% of students remain on campus for the voluntary summer semester.

    Volunteer Activities:
    English Teacher/Tutor This is probably one of the most valuable contributions a native English speaker can make. Students at AIU are seeking to master their English oral and written skills. There are many opportunities for a participant to teach or tutor English on campus.
    Teacher/Tutor in any relevant field Participants, particularly those with a background in one of the main disciplines offered, may be able to teach or assistant teach an actual class.
    Web Designer/Graphic Designer A talented grpahic designer or web designer could be very helpful to the University in the creation of department websites and promotional materials.


    St. Gregory Orthodox Society for Orphans and the Elderly
    Volunteer Supervisor: TBA

                                               More Photos from St. Gregory Greek Orthodox Society

    Volunteer Project: Working with kids/the elderly
    Description: St. Gregory Orthodox Society is home to a number of local orphans (age ranges from early childhood to adolescence) and the elderly. There are many tasks volunteers can perform in relation to basic care of both groups. The oprhans, additionally, have classes at the oprhanage and could benefit from interaction in small groups, particularly focusing on building their English skills.


    Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
    Volunteer Supervisor: Samer Laham

                                                           More Photos from Greek Orthodox Patriarchate

    Volunteer Project: Iraqi Refugee Assistance

    Volunteer Activities:
    Web Designer: web designer to arrange and update Iraqi refugee program portion of website and/or to work on the Patriarchate's main site.
    English Editor: editor to polish English documents and help compose letters, proposals and informational material about the program to assist refugees. Writer of reports and updates on the program.
    Project Assistant: Project assistant to accompany delivery of supplies and school kits to Iraqi refugees and refugee families.
    Accountant: Accountant to help with finances and bookkeeping on project.


    Middle East Fellowship
    Volunteer Supervisor: Peter Ryan

    Volunteer Project: Multimedia and Program Management
    Description: Middle East Fellowship needs several volunteers on the ground to perform a number of critical functions, including: helping us film video interviews with key contacts; helping us with articles and photos for our online magazine, Middle East Window (www.middleeastwindow.com); updating the program website with information and both blogs and photos from participants; helping lead debriefing and evaluation sessions; etc.


    More Volunteer Opportunities

    Middle East Fellowship is continuing to expand its list of partners in Damascus and broaden its volunteer placements based on the interests and talents of our participants. Additional volunteer assignments will be added to this page as more opportunities develop.

    Register Now!

    More Questions? Refer to the frequently asked questions page
    Return to the Damscus Summer Encounter Main Page.


    Accommodations

    For most of their stay, participants will be residing at the St. Elias Hostel near the Old City of Damascus. Single rooms and double rooms are both available (Single rooms available upon request, with a small additional fee).

                                                           More photos of St. Elias and surrounding area

    All rooms include a private bathroom with seated toilets and showers, airconditioning, satellite TV, internet access, a telephone and a mini-refrigerator. The facility also has a dining room and kitchen which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. In addition to internet access within rooms, there is a internet-accessible computer and printer located upstairs and available to guests. Additionally, there is an internet cafe only a few doors down from the Hostel along with many conveniently located shops and resteraunts. Laundry services are available at reasonable prices (about $10 for ironing and washing a load). The rooms are cleaned daily as they would be at any hotel.

    Register Now!


    More Questions? Refer to the frequently asked questions page
    Return to the Damscus Summer Encounter Main Page.

    Arabic Classes

    Berlitz is a language method created by a German linguist in America in the late 1800's. There are now 600 Berlitz language centers throughout the world. The Berlitz headquarters is located in Princeton, New Jersey.

    Damascus Summer Encounter participants will take Arabic classes at the Syrian Berlitz Center four times a week, Monday through Thursday, in the mornings. The course will culminate in a final exam and result in a certificate from the center.

    The Berlitz method focuses on imitation and repitition, allowing students to learn a new language the same way they learned their first language as a child.

    In the classroom, we will focus on colloquial Arabic (rather than classical), and no English or translation will be used. Instead, students will put Arabic into immediate practice and communicate in the terms that they learn. Through this method, Berlitz has earned a reputation as one of the most effective language aquistion programs in the world. Dozens of foreign ministries and large corporations, such as Coca-Cola, have used Berlitz as a preferred method to train their international staff.

    In order to ensure small class sizes and maximum student-teacher interaction, no more than ten students will be enrolled in each class, so we may have several classes run similtaneously.

    Berlitz defines language knowledge according to a 10-level scale. Beginner speakers who complete one month of the Damascus Summer Encounter program can expect to obtain level 1. The fluency range of level 1 through level 5 students is described below. Because there are Berlitz language centers all over the world, it will be very easy for participants to pick up their studies where they left of once they return to their own countries.

    Level 1:
    Knowledge of language is sufficient to communicate in a very limited way, with the simplest oral and listening tasks and situations.

    Level 2:
    At the functional level, users have a basic command of the language needed in a limited range of simple and familar tasks and situations.

    Level 3:
    Users can handle most uncomplicated communicative tasks and routine social and work situations. They can follow the general meaning of a conversation about familiar subjects.

    Level 4:
    At the intermediate level, users are able to refashion and combine learned material to meet their immediate communication and learning needs. They are able to comprehend information on familar topics in contextualized settings and produce sustained conversation with others on an expanding variety of general topics.

    Level 5:
    Users can, to a certain extent, initiate, sustain and conclude most routine communicative tasks for personal and work needs.

    Register Now!

    More Questions? Refer to the frequently asked questions page
    Return to the Damscus Summer Encounter Main Page.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    Middle East Fellowship receives a large volume of inquiries about all of its programs to the Middle East. Our small but energetic staff sometimes struggles to keep up with correspondence. To help you get quick answers to many of your pressing questions, we've prepard a Frequently Asked Questions list:

    Frequently Asked Questions

    If you have any questions not answered (or not answered in full) in the FAQ, please do not hesitate to e-mail or phone in inquires to:

    Peter Ryan
    e-mail: travel [at] mef-la [dot] org
    phone: (714) 529-1926

    Register Now!

    More Questions? Refer to the frequently asked questions page
    Return to the Damscus Summer Encounter Main Page.


    Guest Speakers/Weekend Trips

    Possible Weekend Trips and Excursions*
    During the program we will have the opportunity not just to familiarize ourselves with Damascus but also to explore the many diverse cities and historic monuments of Syria. The cost of these weekend trips (travel and accomodations) are included in the overall cost of the program.

    Here are a few of the trips we will take during the program:

    1) South of Syria
    including Izraat, Bosra city, Kanwat Cathedral, the National Museum in Sweida city. Possible group volunteer project in Sweida over one weekend.

    2) Palmyra and Middle of Syria
    visiting Homs city, Christian Valley, Crack Des Chevalier, St. George Monastery.

    3) Aleppo, Hama and Hassake
    Hama City, Apamea, St. Simon citadel, Aleppo city, overnight in Aleppo, Al-Hassake, visiting the Bishopric of the Syrian Orthodox Church, overnight in Al-Hassake.

    4) Latakia and Tartous
    swimming in Mediterranean sea, overnight in Latakia. Visiting Augarit city, Kassab and Soulonfe resorts.

    5) Saydnaya & Mallula Towns and all monasteries existing in that area.

    6) Mar Moussa Monastery

    Gues Speakers*
    Throughout the program we invite a number of guest speakers to address the group on various topics of interest. Some of these topics will include:

    1) The Diverse Cultures of Syria

    2) Syria's Tourist Treasures

    3) Christian and Muslim Relations in Syria

    4) Syria's Economic Reforms

    5) Political and Social Challenges Facing Syria Today

    6) Youth Contributions Towards Peace, Tolerance and Cultural Dialogue

    7) Present Challenges within the East-West Dialogue

    8) The Role of Religion in Overcoming Violence

    9) Visiting Social and Diaconal Activities in Syria

    10) Middle East Council of Churches Activities in Syria

    Meetings and Discussion Groups*
    During the program participants will have the opportunity to meet with a diverse range of religious and cultural groups in order to learn more about Syrian life, faith and culture. Some of these meetings will include:

    1) Meetings with nonprofit and humanitarian organizations in Syria.

    2) Meetings with different Christian youth groups of various denominations and backgrounds (orthodox, evangelical, catholic).

    3) Meetings with Muslim students.

    4) Meetings with Iraqi refugees.

    5) Meetings with the Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro Islamic Foundation.

    We will also possibly meet with:

    1) The Grand Mufti of the Republic
    2) The Minster of Tourism, Information and Expatriates
    3) The U.S. Ambassador
    4) Organizations such as the Red Crescent, Association for Women's Development, Massar, Aghkan Khan, Al Safini, UNCR, etc.

    * Please note that all weekend trips, meetings and guest speakers are subject to cancellation or change. Additionally, the above does not represent a comprehensive list. Additional trips and meetings will likely be added.

    Register Now!

    More Questions? Refer to the frequently asked questions page
    Return to the Damscus Summer Encounter Main Page.

    Palestine Option

    Middle East Fellowship sponsors summer volunteer and learning opportunities in both Bethlehem, Palestine and Damascus, Syria.

    Participants, if they choose, will be able to register for both programs. You will need to contact us directly if you are considering this option.

    So, for example, you could spend one month participating in the Palestine Summer Encounter and spend two months participating in the Damascus Summer Encounter program.

    You would only need to submit one registration form and a single registration fee (please use the Palestine Summer Encounter registration form if you are considering this option).

    This is a great option for those participants who want to see as much of the Middle East as possible during their visit and wish to volunteer, live and study Arabic in diverse environments.

    More information on the Palestine Summer Encounter program




    Dates for Palestine program:
    3 Month Option
    AMay 22 — August 14
    Two Month Options
    BMay 22 — July 17
    CJune 19 — August 14
    One Month Options
    DMay 22 — June 19
    EJune 19 — July 17
    FJuly 17 — August 14





    Dates for Damascus program:
    Two Month Option
    AJune 19 — August 14
    One Month Options
    BJune 19 — July 17
    CJuly 17 — August 14





    Again, please contact us directly if you are considering this option.

    Register Now!


    More Questions? Refer to the frequently asked questions page
    Return to the Damscus Summer Encounter Main Page.

    Put a Banner on your Website

    If you have a MySpace profile, Facebook profile, a web blog, a non-profit website, or personal homepage, please show your support for the Damascus Summer Encounter program by pasting the below codes into the HTML of your website, your Myspace account or your blog:




    Damascus Summer Encounter Small Banner
    CODE: <a href="http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/damascus2008"><img src="http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/files/images/damascus3.jpg" alt="Damascus Summer Encounter" border="1"></a>
    Damascus Summer Encounter





    Damascus Summer Encounter Small Banner (version II)
    <a href="http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/damascus2008"><img src="http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/files/images/damascus2.jpg" alt="Damascus Summer Encounter" border="1"></a> Damascus Summer Encounter




    Damascus Summer Encounter Long Banner
    CODE: <a href="http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/damascus2008"><img src="http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/files/images/damascus1.jpg" alt="Damascus Summer Encounter" border="1"></a> Damascus
Summer Encounter




    Instructions for MySpace users:

    1. On your home page, click on "Edit profile"
    2. Under the "Interests and Personality" section, click "edit" on any of the below sections (the long banner looks good when placed in the "About Me" or "I''d Like to Meet").
    3. Copy the above dse code and paste it into the section of your choice.
    4. Click "Preview"
    5. Click "Submit"
    6. Click "View My Profile" on the upper right corner of the page.




    You can also get Palestine Summer Encounter banners!


    Register for Damascus Summer Encounter

    Damascus Summer Encounter Registration form
    Section I: General Information

    General Information > Volunteer Assesment > Arabic Proficiency > Liability Form > Confirmation

    * denotes a required field
     
    First Name *
    Middle Name
    Last Name *
    [Note: Please type your full name, above, exactly as it appears on your passport]

    Home Phone Number *
    Mobile Phone Number
    Work Phone Number
    E-mail Address *

    Mailing Address:

    Street Address *
    City *
    State (U.S. Only)
    Zip Code *
    Country *

     
    What is the best way to contact you? *


    Passport Information

    Citizenship *
    Place of Passport Issue *
    Passport Number *
    Issue Date *      
    Expiration Date *      

     

    Date of Birth *      
    Gender *
    What is your ethnicity?
    How did you first hear about the trip?
    Would you like to receive our periodic mailings? *
    Would you like to receive our e-mail newsletter? *
    Session *

    Emergency Contact Information *
    Do you have any allergies? *
    If so, please list:
    Are you a vegetarian? *
    Special Needs
    Have you traveled to the Middle East before?
    If so, where and why?
    Is there someone else participating in the program who you would like to be housed with? If so, write their name here:
    Are you married? *
    Is your spouse or partner also participating in this trip? *
    Do you have any children attending? *

    General Information > Volunteer Assesment > Arabic Proficiency > Liability Form > Confirmation
     

    About Damascus

    Damascus ("Dimashq" in Arabic) is believed to be the oldest continuosly inhabited city in the world. Its current population is estimated to be about 4.5 million. Located in the Southwestern corner of Syria, it is the nation''s capital and cultural center.

    Important Sites:
  • Ummayad Mosque (said by Muslims to be the burial place of John the Baptist)
  • House of Ananias (underground chapel. Refer to Acts 9:10-17, 22:12-16).
  • Old City of Damascus
  • Damascus Citadel
  • Via Recta - "Street Called Straight" (referred to by Paul in Acts 9:11)
  • Damascus National Musuem
  • Kanissat Mariyamiyah (Saint Mary Cathedral)

    Links:
  • Damascus Wikipedia entry.
  • Damascus Photo Gallery
  • Damascus Photo Gallery Collection of photos from a trip.
  • Interactive Map of Damascus Worth checking out!
  • OldDamascus.Com
  • Damascus, What Are you Doing to Me? Poem by Nizar al-Qabbani

    Born in Damascus:
  • Nicolaus of Damascus (historian and philosopher)
  • John of Damascus (saint)
  • Ananias (disciple)
  • Sophronius (Patriarch of Jerusalem)
  • Damascius (Byzantine philosopher)
  • Yasser Seirawan (chess player)
  • Ghada al-Samman (novelist)
  • Nizar al-Qabbani (poet)
  • Yousef Abdelke (painter)

    Damascus Videos on YouTube:
    These short videos should give you a better sense of the sights and sounds of Damascus.
  • Friday Prayer in Damascus
  • Clip from a Damascus Trip
  • Ananias's House

    Register Now!


    More Questions? Refer to the frequently asked questions page
    Return to the Damscus Summer Encounter Main Page.