Student review [#24093] for Arabic Language and Culture
at Ca'Foscari University Of Venice

Living and studying in a city like Venice has been a wonderful opportunity for me that has had an all-around impact on my life experience. Once I passed the entrance test and had the approval of my parents in being able to live in that austere but also docile Venice, I began my journey that lasted 5 years and a few months. The course I have chosen (for the three-year degree “Languages and Literature of Asia and Mediterranean Africa and for the Master’s Degree” Languages, Economies and Institutions of Asia and Mediterranean Africa) is usually attended by a few people, maximum of About 50, so you almost feel like you’re in a high school classroom and that confidential atmosphere immediately forms which can also have negative implications. The teachings of the course are really interesting, exciting and complex therefore they require constant commitment and perpetual dedication. Language courses start at the basic level therefore it is not necessary to have previous knowledge; they consist of a grammar module for each year (language grammar) and a conversation module with a native speaker. At the end of the three-year period, unfortunately, or fortunately, one acquires the knowledge of a vocabulary which is rather broad and sectorial but which for the purposes of daily linguistic usefulness is scarce. As for the ancillary exams of the course, you can choose, also based on the languages chosen, and all are worth 6 credits. The master’s course I have chosen is a specialization in the three-year course. It is a continuation of the three-year course, it is in effect an in-depth study and specification of the language course. The language teaching is always composed in the same system (module and language) and in the module part there is a lot of focus on translation while the language part with the mother tongue focuses on various current issues and conversation in the language is practised. . As for the professors, I can only give a personal opinion that some people will not share. Depending on the type of course chosen and on the basis of one’s propensity at that time in life there were times when I would have preferred to do something else rather than listen to those irritating voices. Other times, however, I hoped that the lesson would never end because the passion and dedication of some professors are so fascinating and captivating that it overwhelms you and makes you fall in love with the subject. In my personal opinion, the university experience was formative, I learned to leave out the superfluous, not to take it too personally if something did not succeed as I wanted and above all that the people you meet always have an impact on your personal journey and that this always enriches.