The Syrian Culture Internship Program: This program provides participants with a first-hand view of Syrian culture, art, history, and industry. Interns in Syria will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful and historic city of Damascus, travel to other Syrian cities, and explore other cultural and historical sites. The immersive internship focuses on how participants can enhance their experience of everyday Syrian customs and culture.
This program would be ideal for a wide range of participants, whether native English speakers or not, including students, young professionals, retirees, and anyone interested in Syrian culture. The program would also suit university students interested in an internship (1-13 Weeks) that is shorter than the typical semester or quarter system. Through its partnership with the Syrian Education Authority, the Excellence Center in Syria can also provide academic credits to all participants.
The Syrian Culture internship program is an excellent opportunity for those interested in learning Syrian or Levantine Arabic, as they will do so through a fully immersive linguistic experience. By participating in this program, those eager to learn Arabic will have many opportunities to speak the language daily with shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and other members of the Syrian community right here in Damascus!
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The Syrian Culture Internship Program 2026-2027
We are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the Syrian Culture Internship Program for 2026-2027!
This program is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Syria’s rich and vibrant culture. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of Syrian traditions, language, history, and daily life through hands-on experiences and meaningful interactions with local communities.
Program Components
The Syrian Culture Internship Program includes 3 hours of Arabic language lessons each week. These classes are designed to provide participants with the linguistic tools to fully embrace Syrian culture and communicate with all sections of society. By learning Arabic, participants will be able to communicate more effectively with many Syrians in local shops and businesses, taxis, and local charity organizations, among other settings.
Participants need not worry about their language proficiency; however, most Syrians are very friendly and will be happy to see visitors from overseas who are interested in their culture. In addition to Arabic classes, female participants (and some male participants, depending on accommodation availability) will have the option to reside with a Syrian host family.
There are many benefits to staying with a host family, such as the daily opportunities it provides participants to practice their Arabic through conversations. Furthermore, participants will have the chance to experience Syrian cooking, customs, festivities, and family dynamics. Most importantly, participants will very likely leave the program having made lifelong friends here.
If a host family is unavailable, male participants in the program can stay in an all-male dorm or a shared apartment in the city of Damascus.
Excursions Into Damascus
The Excellence Center in Syria conducts regular excursions to Damascus to introduce participants to the city’s cultural sites, restaurants, markets, industries, museums, and religious monuments. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit local Syrian organizations and interact with people in many different sectors of Syrian life.
Ultimately, this internship program is intended to bring foreign nationals to Syria for cultural exchange with Syrians and their people. Syrians are a hospitable and welcoming people, with family structures embedded in a dynamic, vibrant culture. Why not visit Syria to learn more about its history, culture, and people?
Internship Program Components:
- 3 hours of Arabic classes per week
- Homestay with a Syrian host family (if available)
- Center-led excursions to Damascus
- Day trips to neighboring cities in Syria
- Attendance at local cultural festivals
What You Will Contribute
As an intern for the Syrian Culture Program, you will engage with and contribute to the Arabic community in Damascus while broadening your understanding of Syrian culture.
There are many ways internships can benefit the Damascus community, such as participants creating programs for school and university students. Examples of these programs include cultural information sessions, Q&A sessions, or programs that focus on an intern’s field of study.
Furthermore, interns can design and implement community development activities that leverage the Center’s connections and resources. For example, interns can collaborate with local universities and NGOs.
In addition, interns will have the opportunity to create constructive and educational workshops focused on cultural and humanities studies. In these workshops, interns can engage in dialogues with local university students about their respective cultures.
Finally, interns will have the option of assisting local Syrian schools in teaching English to Syrian children. This service is of utmost importance, as exposure to other cultures and languages is significant for children. By participating in the Syrian Culture Internship Program, interns will learn as much about Syrian culture as local Syrians will learn about their own!
Summer Internships in Syria
This Syrian Culture Program is also available as a summer internship for those interested in traveling to Syria and earning academic credit. Participants in this program will receive internship credit upon completion and a certificate verifying the internship.
As a member of the summer internship program, participants will dedicate their time to learning about Syria’s culture, with an added emphasis on the intern’s chosen field, whether religious studies, refugee aid, community development, or another specialization. If you are interested in a cultural immersion and community development summer internship with the Excellence Center in Syria, please contact us via email, putting the phrase “Summer Syrian Culture Internship” in the subject line. This program is an ideal opportunity for any student looking to enroll in a unique internship during their summer break.
Things To Know About Syrian Culture
Modern-day Syria lies at the heart of the Levant, a crossroads connecting the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Because of this unique geographic position, Syrian culture has been shaped by countless civilizations and peoples over thousands of years. Rather than dividing the country, this long history of exchange has produced a rich and layered cultural identity found in few other places in the world.
1. Syrian History
Syria, located in the Middle East, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited regions and was home to ancient civilizations such as the Eblaeans, Arameans, and Phoenicians. It later came under Assyrian, Persian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine rule, before becoming a central region of the Islamic world under the Umayyad Caliphate. Syria was part of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years, and after World War I, it fell under French mandate before gaining independence in 1946.
Today, Syria is renowned for its deep historical legacy and iconic sites such as Palmyra, Damascus, and Aleppo.
2. Food And Cuisine
Syrian cuisine strongly reflects the country’s long and diverse history, with Mediterranean, Turkish, Persian, and broader Middle Eastern influences. Food plays a central role in Syrian social life, symbolizing hospitality, generosity, and community, and is especially important during family gatherings and celebrations.
The Syrian diet commonly includes bread, meat, rice, legumes, vegetables, spices, soups, and sweets. Syrian cuisine is famous for its flatbreads, such as khubz and saj, and for dairy products like labneh and white cheeses made from sheep’s or goat’s milk. Meat dishes—often lamb or chicken—are also central to Syrian cooking. A well-known Syrian dish is kibbeh, made from bulgur wheat, minced meat, and spices, prepared in many regional variations.
In cultural programs and community centers across Syria, shared meals are often an essential part of daily life, offering participants the chance to experience traditional Syrian flavors and hospitality firsthand.
3. Syrian Language, Literature, and Oral Tradition
Syria’s long history has contributed to a rich linguistic landscape. Arabic is the official and most widely spoken language, though Armenian, Kurdish, Aramaic, and English are also spoken by various communities.
The primary spoken Arabic is Syrian Arabic, a major branch of Levantine Arabic that is widely understood across the Levant. Because of Syria’s historical and cultural influence, Syrian dialects—especially those of Damascus and Aleppo—are familiar to Arabic speakers throughout the Middle East and the diaspora.
Syria has played a major role in the development of Arabic literature, poetry, and scholarship. Damascus was an early center of Arabic grammar, poetry, and religious writing, and Syria’s strong oral traditions of storytelling, poetry, and music continue to shape its cultural life today.
4. Syrian Social Customs And Traditions
Syrian society is strongly family-oriented, with close-knit extended families forming the core of social life. These families are often patriarchal, though women play essential roles in maintaining family and community cohesion. Mutual support among relatives is common, with family members frequently helping one another financially and socially. Members of the Syrian diaspora also play an important role by supporting relatives back home.
Education has traditionally been highly valued in Syrian society, with strong emphasis on literacy, science, and the arts. Despite many challenges, learning and cultural preservation remain central to Syrian identity, and community-based initiatives continue to support education and cultural exchange.
5. Syrian Arts And Music
Syria has a long tradition of arts and crafts, including wood inlay, textile weaving, metalwork, and mosaic art. Cities such as Damascus and Aleppo have historically been famous for their craftsmanship, particularly in furniture, fabrics, and decorative arts. Henna art is also common during weddings and celebrations, reflecting regional customs shared across the Middle East.
Music and performance are vital parts of Syrian culture, often expressing themes of love, history, and resilience. Traditional musical forms, classical Arabic singing, and folk dances—such as regional variations of dabke—are commonly performed at weddings, festivals, and community events. These artistic traditions continue to serve as powerful expressions of Syrian cultural identity.
Benefits Of The Syrian Culture Program
There are numerous benefits to enrolling in our Syrian Culture Internship Program, including:
- 12 hours of complimentary Arabic lessons for each month that they are enrolled (3 hours per week)
- Participants may choose between Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Colloquial Arabic – either Levantine or Syrian
- Accommodation with a Syrian host family or in a shared dorm or apartment
- Complimentary breakfast in the center 6 times per week
- Engagement with the Syrian community through Center-led activities and workshops
- Exploring Syria, which is full of historic and culturally rich cities. Damascus and Aleppo feature ancient architecture and bustling souks, Homs, Hama, and Bosra offer old city charm and Roman ruins, Palmyra is famous for its desert ruins, Maaloula preserves Aramaic traditions, Latakia and Tartus provide beaches and historic sites, and Daraa, Deir ez-Zor, and Al-Qamishli each offer unique cultural experiences.
- University credit
- Certificate upon completion of the program
Accommodation
When residing in Damascus, participants in the program will have the option to stay with a host family (depending on availability) or in a cozy apartment. Both options offer unique advantages.
Whichever housing option the participant chooses, their time in Syria will be immersive, enriching, and memorable!
Interacting With Syrian Culture
Interns in Syria will find that most Syrians are incredibly friendly and open to foreigners. If participants utilize their Arabic skills, no matter how well-developed, they will find that most Syrians are enthusiastic and patient communicators who will be delighted that people are interested in their language and culture.
In addition, Syria is at the heart of the Levant (the region associated with the Eastern Mediterranean), offering ample opportunities to visit cultural sites, historical monuments, and other landmarks.
Who Will Benefit?
Those looking for a unique internship experience that will connect them with the culture and life of contemporary Syrians will benefit from this program, as it delves deeply into Syrian history, culture, and communities. This internship will suit students of archaeology, linguistics, and other fields who are looking to pursue a summer internship or enhance their present studies. Anyone thinking of traveling through the Levant will benefit from the Syrian Culture Program’s breadth and scope.
Program Costs And Information
The Excellence Center in Syria is priced competitively compared to other programs at 300 Euros per week. Program costs cover language courses, accommodation, complimentary breakfast each day that the participant is at the center, operating costs, and group excursions. No additional or hidden fees are applied to these programs; the price quoted above is the complete and final cost participants will pay.
Program Fees Cover:
- Accommodation
- Language courses
- Operating costs
- Complimentary breakfast
- Group excursions to Damascus
In Which Language Is The Program Run?
All of our programs are geared toward English speakers. However, for the sake of immersion, the higher the course level, the less English will be utilized in the classroom. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to utilize their Arabic skills to the best of their ability while traveling through Syria, thereby ensuring a fully immersive experience.
The Syrian Culture Internship Program: Overview
| Internship Program location | Damascus, Syria |
| Program Fees | (confirm prices here) |
| Age | 18-70 years old |
| Duration of internship | 1-13 weeks |
| Housing Options | Host family A shared apartment All-male dorm |
| Arabic language classes per week | 3 hours in total |
| Class duration | 45 Minutes |
| Number of participants per program | 1-5 |
| Internship Program Focus | Syrian cultural immersion Daily life in Damascus |
| Start/End Dates | Flexible to fit the participant’s schedule |
| Application Deadline | No deadline |
| University Credit | Available |
| Program Language | English and/or Arabic |
Traveling to Damascus
Traveling to the Excellence Center in Syria’s capital, Damascus, is stress-free and straightforward. You’ll fly directly into Damascus, and from the airport it’s only about a one-hour drive — roughly 40 km — to reach our school. If you have any questions about your journey or need help with arrangements, our team is always happy to assist. You can find our contact information at the bottom of this page.
Reviews And Awards
The Excellence Center in Syria has proudly earned several Community Awards, including recognition as the Best Arabic Language School overseas, one of the best Online Programs for Syrian Colloquial Arabic Providers, and the Top Provider of Volunteer and Internship Opportunities abroad for the years 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. For further details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.
- +950 reviews (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +190 reviews (93%) on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
- Our Awards
Summary
The Syrian Culture Internship Program in Damascus is designed to immerse participants in Syrian culture, particularly that of Damascus. This will entail learning Arabic, venturing into the city to interact with local Syrians, residing with a local host family (depending on availability), visiting important cultural sights, learning about Syrian cuisine and arts, participating in local festivities, and much more!
If you are seeking a career in Social Anthropology, Arab culture, or a related field, this internship will provide you with invaluable experience and insight into Syrian culture and daily life.
How To Apply:
If you want to participate in our Syrian Culture Program, please email us at Info@ecsyria.org. We should be able to respond to your initial inquiry within two business days.
In the subject line of your email, write “The Syrian Culture Internship Program.” Upon your response, we will attach an application form for you to complete and return to us to begin the process.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at:
Website: https://ecsyria.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter