The Jiran summer Arabic language and cultural program is completing its 2019 classes and is celebrating with a Community Potluck Event.
Jiran says that it is a program of Middlebury College that allows its Arabic language students to focus
on colloquial Arabic learning, intercultural competence development, and refugee resettlement/immigrant issues in the United States. The program pairs Arabic students with underserved Arabic-speaking families in New Britain
The programs says that, “Jiran runs in partnership with the Islamic Association of Central CT.”
The Jiran programs says that seeks to bring two groups together for an experience that benefits both.
It seeks to address the needs of recently arrived Arabic-speaking families, including refugees and people seeking asylum, who, “require support with English, schoolwork, job/college applications, and cultural orientation.”
The program also provides Middlebury Arabic language students with an opportunity for an, “immersive cultural and linguistic experience.”
Jiran says that,
Through intensive Levantine Arabic classes, time spent with the partner family, guest lectures, and volunteering placements, Jiran student participants gain a holistic perspective on issues facing Arabic-speaking immigrants and refugees in the US. Participating families act as linguistic and cultural guides for students while benefiting from student linguistic and cultural expertise as they work towards their own social, linguistic, and cultural goals. Students are responsible for helping their partner family make social connections in their new community, work towards their personal goals, and explore the culture of their new community.
In addition to language learning, the Middlebury students learn about immigration and refugee resettlement issues, social services access and, “social work with populations coming from conflict zones.”
The program began on June 24, 2019 and is ending with an, “End of Program Potluck Celebration Event” at the Islamic Association of Central Connecticut on July 25th, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Partners in the program include the Islamic Association of Central Connecticut, the YWCA of New Britain, the William Caspar Graustein Fund and Stanley, Black & Decker.
The Islamic Association of Central Connecticut is located at 100 Arch Street.
