School life
In a Syria classroom
Local school customs vary. The best way to learn about a class's day is to ask them directly.
All country briefings
Middle East · Country briefing
Syria
A child-friendly mission briefing for 20 November - capital, climate, school day, languages, fun facts, native animals, and five questions to ask the class on the other side of the world.
- CapitalDamascus
- Population~26 million
- Time zoneAsia/Damascus (UTC +3)
- CurrencySyrian pound (SYP)
Syria, with Damascus marked
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Climate in November: Mild autumn; cooler in the north.
The capital
Damascus
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
Fun facts
What makes Syria a bit special.
Palmyra
A 2,000-year-old desert city frozen in stone
Open lesson
Krak des Chevaliers
The world's best-preserved medieval castle
Open lesson
Damascus Old City
One of the oldest continuously lived-in cities on Earth
Open lesson
Aleppo Citadel & Ancient Souk
A fortress city on a hill at the heart of one of the world's oldest markets
Open lesson
Norias of Hama
Giant wooden waterwheels turning on the Orontes River for 2,000 years
Open lesson
Apamea
Ancient city with the longest colonnade street in the Roman world
Open lesson
Tap any card to open a class-ready mini-lesson - for the teacher to walk through, or an older child to read aloud.
Native animals
Wildlife your partner class might know best.
- 🐻
Syrian Brown Bear
A rare bear that lives in Syria's northern mountains
Open lesson
- 🐹
Syrian Hamster
All pet hamsters in the world are descended from one family found in Syria
Open lesson
- 🦓
Striped Hyena
A shy, striped scavenger of the Syrian landscape
Open lesson
Tap any animal to open a class-ready lesson about it.
Greetings to learn
Say hello like a local
- Hello!Arabic
Five questions to ask
Conversation starters
- 01What does your school day look like?
- 02What do you eat at lunch?
- 03What games do you play at break?
- 04What's the weather like today?
- 05What do you wish more children around the world knew about your country?
What not to assume
Friendly cautions
- ℹSyria has many regions and communities - there is no single experience.
- ℹClimate, food, and traditions can vary widely from one part of the country to another.
Culture
Food, music, sport, festivals.
Tap any chip to open a class-ready lesson - what it is, why it matters, fun facts.
Reflection prompts
- “What's something you'd love to share about your school day?”
- “What's the most surprising thing you'd love to ask the other class?”
Could your class meet Syria?
Choose Syriawhen you register - we’ll show you the time-zone feasibility.