Syria - Culture Smart!

Sarah Standish is an Arabic instructor and curriculum developer based in the United States. She grew up in Portland, Oregon and learned Arabic in college while majoring in Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures at Barnard College in New York City, during which time she studied abroad in Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco.After completing her bachelor's degree, she spent a year studying Arabic literature in Damascus, Syria, where she felt fortunate to be able to explore a beautiful country only a few years before it would be convulsed by civil war. She began teaching Arabic upon her return to the United States, where she was the founding teacher of the first Arabic program in a public school in Oregon. She is the lead author of the forthcoming Arabic textbook Jusoor (Georgetown University Press) as well as the Academic Program Manager at OneWorld Now! in Seattle, Washington, a nonprofit teaching critical languages and leadership skills to underserved youth.

• Brief History Politics - Economic Life Traditions - Friendships & Family Relationships Bureaucracy Religion Humour - Local Holidays Taboos Invitations Gifts Dress - Business etiquette - Punctuality & Appointments - Team working Communication Negotiating - Women in Society Tips - Eating Out - Traditional Food - Dos and Don t - Making Friends

Culture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers...' Sunday Times Travel, ' the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries.' Global Travel, ' full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas.' Observer, ' as useful as they are entertaining.' Easy Jet Magazine, ' offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world.' New York Times