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BYU Arabic Flagship Center

Gallery

The BYU Arabic Flagship Experience

Step into the captivating world of the BYU Arabic Flagship program through a visual narrative of our students and staff's remarkable experiences. Our extensive collection of photographs, spanning several years, offers a glimpse into the transformative journey undertaken by our dedicated alumni, many of whom embarked on a year-long adventure in Morocco as part of their capstone experience.

Dive into the gallery below to immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of life within the Arabic Flagship at BYU. These images provide a vivid snapshot of the unique opportunities, cultural immersion, and personal growth that define our program. Join us on this visual voyage to discover what it truly means to be a part of the BYU Arabic Flagship family.

The desert of Merzouga
The desert of Merzouga
Photo by Emma Israelsen
Academic Coordinator,Dr. Ahmad Karout, and Flagship student, Hannah Miller, recording audio for Arabic learning resources
Academic Coordinator, Dr. Ahmad Karout, and Flagship student, Hannah Miller, recording audio for Arabic learning resources
Flagship students on a trip
Flagship students on a trip
Our debate team making it to the final round at Qatar Debate 2019 at Harvard
Our debate team making it to the final round at Qatar Debate 2019 at Harvard
Flagship student, Hunter Huillet, exploring Morocco!
Flagship student, Hunter Huillet, exploring Morocco!
Flagship student, Ella Baldwin, exploring Morocco!
Flagship student, Ella Baldwin, exploring Morocco!
Flagship student out to lunch with some of her teachers from AALIM (The Arab American Language Institute in Morocco)
Flagship student out to lunch with some of her teachers from AALIM (The Arab American Language Institute in Morocco)
Guest Professor Housni Bennis from Morocco presenting on Ramadan traditions and history.
Guest Professor Housni Bennis from Morocco presenting on Ramadan traditions and history.
Our Flagship alumni Hannah Miller at a wedding in Meknes. Hannah was part of the 2021 cohort.
Our Flagship alumni Hannah Miller at a wedding in Meknes. Hannah was part of the 2021 cohort.
A former Flagship student, Hannah Miller, moved to Egypt after graduating from Flagship and joined a rowing team! Hannah Miller competing in Egypt Cup with her rowing team
A former Flagship student, Hannah Miller, moved to Egypt after graduating from Flagship and joined a rowing team! She competed in the Egypt Cup.
Hannah Miller with her Egyptian friends in 2022.
Hannah Miller with her Egyptian friends in 2022.
Bab Mansour
Bab Mansour
Meknes, where our students study and live with host families
Meknes, where our students study and live with host families
One small snapshot of the a street in Old Meknes, this photo doesn't do it justice but there are many such streets in this area of the city.
One small snapshot of the a street in Old Meknes, this photo doesn't do it justice but there are many such streets in this area of the city.
Flagship students Caleb Dewey, Nick Heil, Elena Balkova and Elisabeth Morse at the 2022 Qatar Debates at Stanford. They placed 3rd at this event.
Flagship students Caleb Dewey, Nick Heil, Elena Balkova and Elisabeth Morse at the 2022 Qatar Debates at Stanford. They placed 3rd at this event.
Stanford University 2022
Stanford University 2022
Elena Balkova selected as the 10th best speaker out of more than 150 students. This is award is especially prestigious because many of her competitors are native Arabic speakers or heritage Arabic speakers
Elena Balkova selected as the 10th best speaker out of more than 150 students. This is award is especially prestigious because many of her competitors are native Arabic speakers or heritage Arabic speakers
The Arabic Flagship faced many unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic but like many other organizations, we found creative new ways to move forward.
The Arabic Flagship faced many unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic but like many other organizations, we found creative new ways to move forward.
Alumnus Seth McCombie instructs advanced flagship students at Qasid Arabic Institute as a TA for BYU’s intensive Arabic Study Abroad in Amman, Jordan during Fall 2017.
Alumnus Seth McCombie instructs advanced flagship students at Qasid Arabic Institute as a TA for BYU’s intensive Arabic Study Abroad in Amman, Jordan during Fall 2017.
Arabic 101 taught by BYU Arabic Flagship alumnus and adjunct professor Jason Andrus during the Winter 2021 semester.
Arabic 101 taught by BYU Arabic Flagship alumnus and adjunct professor Jason Andrus during the Winter 2021 semester.
Flagship students participating in the 2019 Qatar debate at Harvard.

Arabic and Flagship students prepping for their first debate in 2019 at the annual Qatar Debates.
Arabic and Flagship students prepping for their first debate in 2019 at the annual Qatar Debates.
Flagship students giving class presentations
Flagship students giving class presentations.
Our debate team at Qatar Debate at Stanford, 2022
Our debate team at Qatar Debate at Stanford, 2022
Our debate team winning 3rd place overall and 1st place non-native team in 2019
Our debate team winning 3rd place overall and 1st place non-native team in 2019
Flagship student Elijah Bickmore exploring Morocco with his wife
Flagship student Elijah Bickmore exploring Morocco with his wife
Ella Baldwin at her internship in Meknes, Morocco, working at a traditional bakery. There are always a variety of internships that our students participate in while overseas, there is sure to be one that suits your major and helps you boost your Arabic in Morocco.
Ella Baldwin at her internship in Meknes, Morocco, working at a traditional bakery. There are always a variety of internships that our students participate in while overseas, there is sure to be one that suits your major and helps you boost your Arabic in Morocco.
Our Flagship Managing Director, Rita Cortez, talking to students about Flagship resources
Our Flagship Managing Director, Rita Cortez, talking to students about Flagship resources
Guest Housni Bennis presenting on Ramadan in Morocco
Guest Housni Bennis presenting on Ramadan in Morocco
Some of our Flagship alumni participated as judges in the U.S. High Schools Qatar Debate Championship (Hannah Miller & Elena Balkova).
Some of our Flagship alumni participated as judges in the U.S. High Schools Qatar Debate Championship (Hannah Miller & Elena Balkova).
BYU Summer Program in Meknes
BYU Summer Program in Meknes
Flagship students meeting locals in Rabat
Flagship students meeting locals in Rabat
Hannah Miller experiencing daily life in Egypt.
Hannah Miller experiencing daily life in Egypt.
Flagship coordinator Dr. Ahmad Karout at the U.S. Schools Arabic Debating Championship as a judge.
Flagship coordinator Dr. Ahmad Karout at the U.S. Schools Arabic Debating Championship as a judge.
Our Qatar Debate Team in 2019. Winning 3rd place overall, 1st place non-native team, with Dan Harker winning Best Non-native speaker, Heidi Wilden 9th Best Overall Speaker, Sydney Francis 7th Best Overall Speaker, and Hannah Miller, 6th Best Overall Speaker Qatar Debate 2019 Harvard University
Our Qatar Debate Team in 2019. Winning 3rd place overall, 1st place non-native team, with Dan Harker winning Best Non-native speaker, Heidi Wilden 9th Best Overall Speaker, Sydney Francis 7th Best Overall Speaker, and Hannah Miller, 6th Best Overall Speaker Qatar Debate 2019 Harvard University
The annual meeting in 2002 in Oxford Mississippi with Dr. Belnap, Dr. Karout and others participating.
The annual meeting in 2002 in Oxford Mississippi with Dr. Belnap, Dr. Karout and others participating.
Annual recruitment event with more than 100 students.
Annual recruitment event with more than 100 students.
BYU Arabic and Flagship students participating in the Qatar debate at Harvard in 2019
BYU Arabic and Flagship students participating in the Qatar debate at Harvard in 2019

The desert of Merzouga
The desert of Merzouga
Photo by Emma Israelsen
Flagship is a great chance to make new friends, here Emma, Sarah and Asia are seen in a selfie with some that they made in Merzouga.
Flagship is a great chance to make new friends, here Emma, Sarah and Asia are seen in a selfie with some that they made in Merzouga.
Photo by Emma Israelsen
View of the North Atlantic Ocean from Essaouira, Morocco
View of the North Atlantic Ocean from Essaouira, Morocco
Photo by Emma Israelsen
This is Chefchaouen, a Moroccan city known for the blue and white painted houses
This is Chefchaouen, a Moroccan city knows for the blue and white painted houses
Photo by Emma Israelsen
In Merzouga, flagship students had the unique opportunity to ride camels
In Merzouga, flagship students had the unique opportunity to ride camels
Photo by Emma Israelsen
A house in Chefchaouen
A house in Chefchaouen
Photo by Emma Israelsen
Flagship students visit a local mosque here in Utah
Flagship students visit a local mosque here in Utah
Photo by Emma Israelsen
Meknes, another beautiful Moroccan city
Meknes, another beautiful Moroccan city
Photo by Emma Israelsen
This is Bab Boujloud, a famous arch in Fes
This is Bab Boujloud, a famous arch in Fes
Photo by Emma Israelsen
Flagship students stand in front of one of the doors of the Royal Palace in Fes about an hour from Meknes where flagship students live.
Flagship students stand in front of one of the doors of the Royal Palace in Fes about an hour from Meknes where flagship students live.
Photo by Emma Israelsen
The street where the Moroccan Flagship is located, the AALIM center.
The street where the Moroccan Flagship is located, the AALIM center.
Photo by Emma Israelsen
The Moroccan sunset in Meknes
The Moroccan sunset in Meknes
Photo by Emma Israelsen
BYU Arabic Flagship students can participate in the Qatar debate, a few years back this debate took place in Chicago
BYU Arabic Flagship students can participate in the Qatar debate, a few years back this debate took place in Chicago
Photo by Emma Israelsen
Emma and Sarah in Chicago for the Qatar debate
Emma and Sarah in Chicago for the Qatar debate
Photo by Emma Israelsen
Flagship students in the desert of Morocco
Flagship students in the desert of Morocco
A street in Chefchaouen
A street in Chefchaouen