At QIAS, we value feedback from our current and past students as to the efficiency and professionalism of our courses and services. We also understand the importance of providing first-hand accounts of what it is like to study at Qortoba from students themselves. Below you will find comments from students who have studied with us:

I came to Qortoba Institute with no background in Arabic. I could not write or read the language, nor did I have any prior understanding of anything related to it. Now after 3 weeks, I am very comfortable with the alphabet, I know how to ask basic questions, my writing isn't great but I can write clearly enough to make myself understood, and I've learnt a lot of words. If you want a really intense (hard work for sure) but beneficial experience, I would highly recommend the Qortoba Institute. ~ Geertjan Wielenga, Dutch

The first thing that struck me about Qortoba was the administration. I had heard a little something about Egyptian hospitality but nothing to the extent which I experienced with Qortoba. They picked us up from the airport, took us to visit the Cairo branch, brought us to Alexandria , and set us up with a place to stay, and arranged for a private driver to take us touring for 3 days, all before I even enrolled.


What I like about the studies at Qortoba is the complete freedom you have to study what you want – after completing the beginner levels. After finishing the first Kitabul Asasee book I decided I didn't want to complete that program and jumped to the Ibn Saud course and because within the Ibn Saud program there are more than a dozen books you can choose to study from, like Hadeeth, Qur'an, and even Fiqh. I'm able to study Arabic in the context that I prefer.
~Sana Ali, American

I think because Qortoba is a smaller institute than others, students are able to get better teaching. This should benefit the students' study of Arabic.
~ Altaf Ismail, British

I studied at Qortoba 3 years ago and have returned to continue my studies and I really benefited in my Arabic studies and Islamic studies. The Islamic curriculum helps us to understand meanings of words in daily use and also to give us good understanding of the Qur'an, Hadeeth, and Islamic history. Private tutoring has helped me to progress faster and has helped me to a level that I can teach Arabic. ~ Umm Hidaayah, Pakistani/American

For the past five years I have attempted to study at various places, including the US, Saudi Arabia and Egypt . Alhamdulillah, the program at Qortoba has proven to be the most organized, gradual, and productive. I originally came to Cairo with my wife for three weeks to try out the program. Now, we returned to Egypt (Alexandria) to continue the program. Alhamdulillah, I'm extremely satisfied with what I have studied so far. I highly recommend brothers/sisters to take a minimum of 6 months break from the rat race of daily life to come and jump start their knowledge about the language. Many people have tons of questions about the conditions of living, cost, etc… However, it doesn't seem very difficult to get adjusted here. These 4-6 months can save you years of frustration and grief. Put your trust in Allah. ~ Ismail Shah, American

As a non-Muslim American (Christian) I have to recommend Qortoba whole-heartedly for anyone who would like a complete linguistic and cultural experience. You will learn classical Arabic very well and you will learn about Islam.
~ Theron Tingstad, American

Qortoba's three-week winter program in Alexandria was the perfect mixture of work and pleasure. The small class size and entertaining teacher made learning easy, and the location in a neighborhood untouched by the sort of parasites who prey on tourists made practicing Arabic and learning about the culture happen naturally. It was a good use of my time and money, and a great way to get away from the snow. ~ Louis Ruppert, American

I started at QIAS knowing Arabic well enough to speak Egyptian slang but I had very little knowledge of classical Arabic (fusha). After a short while, I was able to replace a lot of the dialect with classical Arabic, and my vocabulary improved. The students and teachers converse in classical Arabic and the environment is great for learning. ~ AbdelRahman

Qortoba Alexandria is a good place to study. My experience overall thus far (1.5 months) has been good. The city and people are welcoming and warm, Alhamdulillah. ~ Manguj Alhan

Qortoba's method of teaching was excellent. I have learned to speak very basically in a short period of time. My writing has dramatically improved. Unfortunately, I was not able to stay long enough to finish the course, but overall I enjoyed the experience and InshaAllah, I'm sure it will benefit a great deal. ~ Maira Nasir

A huge pat of my time in Egypt was spent studying at the Qortoba Institute when I came to Alexandria with my husband in 2006. Not only was I impressed by the teaching methodology, but also by the Islamic atmosphere at the Institute itself. It is such a peaceful environment and all the people teaching and working here embody the Sunnah in their words and actions. It has been an amazingly unique experience and I would recommend the Qortoba Institute to everyone. ~ Safiyyan Qurershi Khan, Holland

Although my time at Qortoba was very short, I found the institute extremely organised, welcoming, helpful and most importantly their teaching at the highest standard. I feel my time here has been very productive and I would recommend everyone who has the opportunity to live abroad to spend as much time as possible studying at Qortoba. Success is guaranteed inshaAllah. ~ Humaiyun Qureshi, UK

QIAS picked me up from the airport and arranged a flat for me. The staff and teachers were always helpful and friendly. The lessons were great. I learned a lot & hope to come back in the future. ~ Aline Hebenstruit

A lovely experience, very dedicated people to their teaching task. I would recommend it to everyone. ~ Nina Navajas Pertagas, Spain

I am very pleased with the professional quality of the teaching and management from QIAS. After starting with no Arabic 2 months ago, I am now speaking only Arabic in class and in the city. QIAS has an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. I highly recommend the program to young professionals like myself. ~ Kevin Wash

I think QIAS is an excellent institute to study Arabic within an Islamic curriculum. I highly recommend this program. ~Maria Hafiz, USA

I was very pleased to have spent time at QIAS. The administration and management were very easy to deal with. The management coupled with an excellant teaching staff makes QIAS a very good place to learn. ~ Abdelhameed Khafaga, USA/Egyptian

The best point of education at Qortoba is meeting excellent teachers and friends during your education in the language of the Qur'an. I hope InshaAllah all of my sisters who want to learn the language of the Qur'an in Egypt will meet my teachers at Qortoba and study with them. This is a very nice chance from Allah. ~ Ulkucan Velioglu, Turkey

QIAS is one of the best institutions in Egypt for those who really want to understand Islamic teachings through the Qur'anic language itself. Before studying at QIAS, I could not even understand, read or speak the Arabic language, but Alhamdulillah, after studying approximately four months at QIAS, everything changed. I'm able to have conversations and understand quite a lot of what I'm reading, especially in the Holy Qur'an and Hadeeth. The combination of an excellent Arabic curriculum from Ibn Saud University and professional lectures attached my heart to Qortoba. Jazakallah. ~ Aimar bin Hashem, Malaysian

In my opinion Qortoba is doing well Mashallah. I studied at another school in Egypt but it was not like Qortoba. I feel that in one level, I have really achieved a lot. I pray that Allah makes it easy for all the believers. Ameen.
~ ABibi Rassia Hussain, Guyanese American

I was always interested in studying Arabic. Alhamdulillah, Allah has blessed me with the opportunity to study here at Qortoba. For me the method of teaching and the books used is very good. Allowing the student to choose the books that they prefer to study is also very great. Alhamdulillah we have just completed a level and I have learned a lot more than I expected to learn in one month. I really enjoy studying Arabic and having a good teacher makes it even better. Thank you Qortoba and keep up the good job. ~ Rasheema, American

I seriously believe Qortoba is the best place to learn Arabic. I started my studies at another school, one that is extremely popular and expensive and I regret not starting at Qortoba. The set of books at Qortoba are very good and Islamic-based. The school has many good teachers and anyone who is serious about learning Arabic should definitely look at Qortoba as their first option. ~ Ahmed Billoo, American