Brother Farhan Syed, from America, has compiled this useful spreadsheet list of things to take into account when choosing a place to study Arabic. It is in Microsoft Excel format, and so you will need MS Excel to view it. He has also included some good advice on studying Arabic abroad, which we have included below for everyone to read right away. Click on the link below to download the spreadsheet.

Arabic program selection spreadsheet.xls

Jazakallah khair for your contribution brother.

Some advice for the student of knowledge to help maximize the benefit of time spent overseas: 

1) Carry around a tiny pocket-sized notepad so that when you hear a new Arabic word, you can write it down and remember it later.  It also helps in remembering books you want to buy, places or names of streets, etc. 

2) If you are only going to have a couple of months (e.g. a summer), private tutoring is probably your best option. This is especially true if you have some previous knowledge of Arabic from a Western institution, and know what your weaknesses are. 

3) When you do find a private tutor, do not shy away from telling him/her your weaknesses.  People have a tendency to focus on the elements they are already strong in (e.g. Western student are often much stronger in grammar than in speaking and listening comprehension).  Have the tutor assist you across all disciplines, but place special emphasis on areas of improvement.  And make sure to know ahead of time what your goals are for the time you are there.  Set some realistic goals (like you want to finish a certain book or books). This will motivate you to get the most out of your time. 

4) If you have time try to go attend some duroos in the masaajid (and definitely jumu'ah prayer).  This will allow you to track the progress of your listening comprehension skills in a real life situation. 

5) Also if you have time, work on your tajweed on the side.  This is a good opportunity to really improve in this important science. 

6) Don't get distracted and discouraged by the state of the ummah.  A lot of tullab-ul-'Ilm go to the Middle East thinking they will be in some jannah and get turned off when they see people yelling, getting into fights and staring at women.  Just focus on what you're there for and know that it is YOU who insha Allah will be an agent for renewal of the ummah with the knowledge you are gaining. 

7) Visit the places of historical importance to Muslims. This may include masaajid, maqaamaat and sites of battles. There are many lessons for students of knowledge in these places, not the least of which is an appreciation of the legacy of our amazing tradition and the humility with which we must view our own efforts in comparison to those who came before. 

8) Make sure to establish a program of study for when you get back. So often students return and have no opportunities for review and practice and lose the fruits of their hard work overseas. 

9) There are different techniques for memorizing vocabulary. Make sure you establish a system early, as new words will need to be learned every day. I found flashcards to be effective for me, as it forced me to learn Arabic to English as well as English to Arabic. And with flashcards you can't remember words by remembering the word that comes before or after (as often happens when memorizing from lists). Other students found it useful to write their own "dictionary" and keep it updated. 

10) Your transition to a new location will be much smoother if you are able to secure the help of a trustworthy local or a student who has lived there for a while. They can help you get set up and help you find an apartment. It is not advisable for you to try to find yourself an apartment without help, unless you are experienced with that particular locale. 

11) Some students can feel homesick. It is suggested that students note three things. First, they should remember that they are seeking the pleasure of the Creator and the noble investment they are making now will insha Allah bear fruit in the rest of their lives and in aakhira. Allah may not facilitate such an opportunity again, so they should feel grateful and keep busy with their studies. Second, they can make plans to visit home regularly. If they are able to set goals for themselves, such as "when I finish this text or a certain number of levels at this institute, I will arrange a visit or have a family member come here", that can mitigate homesickness. Third, most students find that after an initial period of homesickness that can last up to 6 months, they settle in and feel comfortable in their new location. 

Du'a

May Allah bless you in your journey to come closer to Him and may He grant you all that is good from this effort.  Remember some du'a for the student of knowledge: 

1) Ya FattaHu, Ya 'Aleemu, iftaH lana fat-Han qareeba: Oh Opener, Oh All-Knowing, open for us a near opening 
2) Rabbi hab lee Hukman wa al-Hiqni bis-SaaliHeen: My Lord, grant me wisdom and make me close to the Righteous people (the du'a of Prophet Ibrahim, 'alayhissalaam) 
3) Rabbi zid nee 'ilma: My Lord, increase me in knowledge (the du'a of Prophet Musa, 'alayhissalaam) 

Please understand that there will be tests along your path towards Allah and gaining His pleasure. Nothing that is worth having comes easy-- anyone who has performed Hajj will tell you of the trials and tests that had to face along the way to forgiveness. Bear these tests with patience and the understanding that Allah, Most High, is using them to purify your intention and bring you closer to Himself, if He so wills. 

Books 

Below are some books to consider purchasing to continue working on your Arabic. Please note there are hundreds and thousands of texts that you can study with a teacher to advance yourself in a variety of different sciences of the deen. The list below is limited to texts that may help with Arabic in particular. The reasons they may be effective is because high-quality translations of these texts exist in English, so the student can read the Arabic and then compare their comprehension to the English translation. 

• ash-shifa (Qadi 'Iyad)-- about the attributes and characteristics of our Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam). Translated by Aisha Bewley. 

• ar-raheeq ul-makhtoom (Mubarakpuri)-- Seerah text. 

• iHya 'ulum-id-deen-- Imam Ghazali's masterpiece on the refinement of the soul. 

• mishkaat ul-anwaar-- Imam Ghazali's tafseer on the Qur'anic verse from surah an-noor (Allahu noorus-samawaati wal ard...). 

• al-'aqeedah at-Tahawiyyah-- you can probably find this seminal aqeedah text in the US as well, along with the original Arabic. 

• riyaD us-SaliHeen-- Imam Suyuti's hadeeth compilation 

• al-wabal as-sayyib-- Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyy's text on dhikr 
  

The following are other texts that may help improve grammar and balaagha. 

• A Pocket Dictionary of Grammatical Analysis (excellent color-coded book for 'iraab). (Antoine Dahdah series) 

• a Dictionary of Arabic Grammar in Charts and Tables. (Antoine Dahdah series) 

• an-naHw al-waaDiH series 

• al-balaagha al-waaDiHa series. 

• 'iraab ul-qur'an il-kareem wa bayaanuh (Muhyuddeen Darweesh)-- A nine-volume set that goes through the grammar of the entire Qur'an as well as commentary of it's balaagha.