Arabic House, home to global citizens
Arabic House Application for Residence
(The application deadline to live in the house for the 2024-2025 school year is February 23, 2024)
Macalester’s Arabic House features students living alongside a native Arabic speaker for the purpose of honing their conversational Arabic. The Arabic House is located at 176 Vernon, just a few steps away from Macalester’s academic buildings, but located in a quiet, idyllic neighborhood. The house has four private bedrooms, and the furnished shared-space includes a kitchen, living and dining area, two bathrooms, and in-house laundry.
Students who live in Arabic House make a conscientious effort to speak Arabic at all times, and participate in preparing and sharing a common meal each week. All Residents play active roles in organizing a cultural activity at least twice per semester, and are responsible for housekeeping chores. Residents are required to remain in Arabic classes on campus and live in the house the entire academic year, unless studying away.
Students who are interested in living at Arabic House must apply during Residential Life’s language house application period, using the Application for Residence in the Macalester College Arabic House. Native speakers interested in applying for the Arabic House Program Assistant position can apply through JobX.
Photos of Arabic House:
Criteria used in the selection of residents
- Motivation for living in the House.
- Willingness to comply with the goals of the House as expressed in the application.
- Enrollment in an Arabic course during the residency.
- Must have completed at least elementary Arabic before start of residency, with preference for seniors and juniors, and those who have had intermediate Arabic.
- Students who will be studying away one semester must be paired with another who will be away the opposite semester. However, please note that all spring assignments are tentative because Residential Life housing contracts with students for the fall semester run for the full year if their study abroad plans change and they are no longer leaving for the spring.