Qatar University Scholarship Recipient, Marjorie Iscaife from Brazil, Shares Her Journey of Studying Modern Standard Arabic through the Arabic for Non-Native Speakers Program in Qatar

Hello! My name is Marjorie Iscaife, and I’m from São Paulo, Brazil. Coming from a multicultural city, I’ve always been passionate about languages, culture, and globalization. After earning a B.A. in International Relations, I decided to engage in my 6^th language and learn Arabic. That’s how my journey through the Middle East started. I was awarded 2 different full-ride scholarships to study Modern Standard Arabic at Qatar University and King Salman Global Academy in Saudi Arabia.

Qatar University Scholarship Details

In 2022, I was awarded the Qatar University Scholarship to the Arabic for Non-Native Speakers Program (ANNS), which was funded by the Qatar Foundation. It’s a very competitive full-ride scholarship, so it covers all costs, including flights, tuition fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, and a monthly stipend of $138. Although the total amount is not publicly specified, the Arabic course alone is approximately $8,500, excluding living costs in Doha, Qatar. The duration of the program is one academic year.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

In 2024, I was also awarded a scholarship at the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language to continue my studies in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). The program called Arabic Language Teaching Program to Non-Native Speakers is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is part of the government project Vision 2030.

It has a duration of 8 months with all costs covered, including flights, tuition, housing, meals, books, transportation, and numerous cultural activities as well.

Educational Background

I hold a B.A. in International Relations with a 3.7 GPA. During college, I started my career in Marketing for retail companies. I’ve always been interested in languages. I speak 4 languages at an advanced level, including Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Italian. Also during this time, I was studying French and Arabic as well. For Arabic specifically, I was taking online classes in my country before applying for scholarships. Although I was still a beginner, I already knew the alphabet, numbers, and basic grammar.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Qatar University?

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and Qatar University?

I was made aware of these programs through general scholarship profiles on social media such as Instagram and Facebook. I also searched for more information on their official platforms.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

No test is required. They usually do interviews with the candidates.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Scholarship?

After a deep search about the institutions and the courses, I read the list of requirements and started to gather all the documents needed two months prior to the deadline. Organization was the key here. Translated documents and recommendation letters can take weeks to prepare. Qatar University also requires a $14 fee per application; so, be sure you have a valid payment method for international transactions, such as an international card or PayPal.

How is (was) Your Experience at Qatar University? 

My experience was intense, enriching, and transforming. I’ve learned so many valuable things inside and outside the classroom that I’ll remember for the rest of my life, making a part of who I am now. Studying abroad is already challenging, and adding a new culture to the recipe requires a lot of resilience and adaptation.

Qatar University is a prestigious university in the Arab world; the program allows you to study in an international academic environment with highly accomplished and experienced professors. At the same time, we can keep in touch with local students from other departments, which is crucial to practicing the Arabic language.

On the other hand, King Salman Global Academy provides a whole immersion in Saudi culture, mixing the language lessons with external visits and activities. This combination is essential to experience local traditions, understand Saudi society, and interact with native people in daily situations.

How Do You Rate Qatar University Academically and Why? 

Qatar University is the 2^nd best university in the Arab Region, being top-ranked in various metrics. Their Arabic program is known as one of the most complete and challenging courses for the Arabic language in the whole world. Beyond the well-structured and qualified content, the level of excellence of the professors and the rigorous exams make it a high-standard course.

King Salman Global Academy doesn’t follow an academic structure because it’s a language learning center that works with other language projects involving AI, research, and development of its own material, and so on. The course approach is more interactive and casual, all while maintaining a high level of education. r

How Does Qatar University Support International Students? 

Both programs have a counselor or officer responsible for international students. They intend to help with all kinds of academic or bureaucratic issues.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Arabic? 

In both programs, classes are mostly in Arabic. English is required if your level of Arabic is still beginner.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically Not Knowing Arabic?

Qatar is a multicultural country where most people are foreigners and speak English. In Saudi Arabia, not everyone speaks English, and most things are not translated. They are very friendly with visitors, and it’s advised to speak at least a basic level of Arabic.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out due to my educational background in topics related to international affairs and globalization, allied to my professional experience and language skills. I expressed my enthusiasm to explore and learn more about Middle Eastern culture, demonstrating my openness to contribute to a diverse environment and become an ambassador of their language and culture in my country.

Beyond the criteria, I tried to show them my true passion for the subject and how I would apply this knowledge in the future.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I were applying today, I would be more organized in gathering the documents earlier so I wouldn’t need to rush the application process. I would also try to contact alumni from this institution to get valuable information about the process, such as the interview process, and even gain some insight about academic life there.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

A competitive CV and cover letter can make a huge difference in your application, so highlight your strengths that are related to the program. There is no need to show everything you’ve done in your life so far. On the websites, they usually describe the type of candidates they are looking for, so aligning the description with your profile will call attention to your application.

For those who want to apply to a non-English-Speaking country, I would highly recommend studying the basics of the native language before going, even if it’s not required. This might give you some advantage in the process and certainly facilitate your adaptation there.

Other than that, always be prepared! There are incredible opportunities out there. Don’t be afraid of searching and applying to as many as you can. Translate your documents in advance, build up your CV, and work on your skills so when the chance comes, you’ll have most of it in hand. You don't have to be perfect, you just need to try. 😊