Students combine the depth and disciplinary strength of Arabic language ability with the breadth of area knowledge of the Middle East; gain a strong background in modern Middle East history, politics, geography, cultures, and religion; study overseas in BYU’s advanced Arabic language program which emphasizes fluency in reading newspapers, listening to and understanding Arabic news broadcasts, and in speaking an Arabic dialect; develop the ability to research, analyze, and write in a variety of formats; and acquire an appreciation for the cultures of the region and understand the challenges of the region.