Persian Language & Culture Residency
Live in Iran. Breathe the Culture. Master the Language.
A 2-Month Intensive Immersive Program by Hikmat International Institute
Join us in the historic city of Qom, Iran, for an unforgettable 60-day residency. This is not a tour; it is a deep-dive into the heart of Persian language and culture. You will live among locals, study with expert instructors, and experience the daily rhythms of Iranian life.
Unlike a typical classroom setting, our program blends intensive morning language instruction with afternoon cultural workshops and weekly excursions, giving you a holistic and practical understanding of Farsi.
Course Dates
June 15- August 15, 2026
Registration Deadline
Feb 10 , 2026
Early Bird
Nov 21, 2025
Program Overview
- Location: Qom, Iran
- Dates: June 15 – August 15, 2026
- Duration: 8 Weeks
- Registration Deadline: Feb 10, 2026
- Early Bird Discount: Register by Nov 21, 2025, for a $100 discount.
Visiting Cities
Qom and Kashan
Tehran
Isfahan
The Fifth Day of Creation, miniature painting by Mahmoud Farshchian
Persian Workshops
Enhance your Farsi learning with our Persian Cultural Workshops.
These workshops offer an interactive way to practice Farsi with native speakers while exploring key aspects of Persian culture, daily life, and traditional thinking.
Discuss real-world topics, engage with Persian literature and philosophy, and experience the language as it is lived by modern Iranians.
Designed to complement our Persian language course, these workshops create a complete and practical learning environment—ideal for anyone searching to learn Farsi, study Persian in Iran(Qom), or immerse in Persian culture.
A unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of Persian language and heritage through meaningful, hands-on learning.
Curriculum: From Classroom to Conversation
Our 8-week curriculum is designed to take you from foundational knowledge to confident communication. The program is structured into two progressive modules.
Month 1: Foundations & Immersion (Weeks 1-4)
Goal: To navigate daily life with comfort and master the basics of reading and writing.
- Week 1: Survival Persian & The Alphabet: Mastering the script, greetings, introductions, numbers, and asking for directions. Field Trip: A visit to the local Bazaar to practice real-world interactions.
- Week 2: Daily Routines & Present Tense: Describing your day, telling time, and using simple verbs. Workshop: Persian Calligraphy (Khosh-nevisi) – An introduction to the art of the reed pen.
- Week 3: The Past & Storytelling: Recounting memories, using past tense, and reading simple stories. Workshop: Iranian Cuisine – A hands-on cooking class learning to make traditional dishes like Ghormeh Sabzi.
- Week 4: Objects, Home, & Prepositions: Describing spaces and using comparative adjectives. Assessment: Oral proficiency interview to gauge progress.
Month 2: Culture, Literature & Thought (Weeks 5-8)
Goal: To engage with Persian media, poetry, and deeper cultural concepts.
- Week 5: Media & Modern Society: Reading news headlines, discussing current events, and using the future tense. Workshop: Film Screening – Watching and discussing a celebrated Iranian film.
- Week 6: Introduction to Persian Literature: Reading simplified excerpts from classical works like Saadi’s Gulistan. Workshop: Poetry Night – Analyzing a ghazal by Hafez.
- Week 7: Islamic Wisdom & Philosophy (Hikmat Specialization): Learning the vocabulary of religion, ethics, and philosophy. Lecture: A guest lecture from a Hikmat Institute professor on “The History of Wisdom in Iran.”
- Week 8: Advanced Conversation & Final Projects: Mastering the subjunctive mood, idioms, and proverbs. Final Project: Students present on a topic of their choice in Persian.
Weekly Schedule & The Iranian Calendar
To fully immerse you in local life, our program follows the standard Iranian work week:
- Academic Days (Saturday – Wednesday): These are our primary instructional days. Mornings are dedicated to intensive language classes, while afternoons feature cultural workshops, conversation labs, and study time.
- The Weekend (Thursday & Friday): In Iran, Thursday and Friday constitute the weekend.
- Thursdays: Reserved for our organized cultural excursions to nearby cities and historical sites.
- Fridays: The traditional day of rest. Fridays are free for you to relax, review your studies, and explore the city at your own pace.
A Typical Academic Day:
Time | Activity |
08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast (Traditional Iranian style) |
09:00 – 10:30 | Session 1: Grammar & Structure |
10:30 – 11:00 | Tea Break & Informal Chat |
11:00 – 12:30 | Session 2: Conversation Lab |
12:30 – 14:30 | Lunch Break & Dhuhr Prayer (Rest/Free time) |
14:30 – 16:30 | Cultural Workshop (Art, Calligraphy, or Text Reading) [3 days/week] |
17:00 – 19:00 | Free time / Study / Visit to the Holy Shrine |
20:00 – 21:00 | Dinner & Socializing |
Thursday Excursions: Exploring Beyond Qom
Since Thursdays mark the beginning of the weekend, we dedicate this day to exploring the rich history and nature surrounding Qom Province. These guided day-trips are included in your residency fee. Destinations are rotated weekly.
- Historical Day Trips:
- Kashan: A jewel of traditional architecture. Visit the UNESCO-listed Fin Garden, explore historic merchant houses, and wander the traditional bazaar.
- Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai: Known as the “Mother of Iranian Caravanserais,” this 1,700-year-old Sassanid structure sits in the heart of the desert.
- Saveh: Explore an ancient city famous for its pomegranates and Seljuk-era Jameh Mosque.
- Nature & Adventure:
- Namak Lake & Hoz-e Soltan: Walk on Iran’s massive natural mirror—a vast salt lake perfect for photography.
- Chal-e-Nakhjir Cave: Explore one of the most beautiful living limestone caves in the world, full of millions of years of geological formations.
- Spiritual & Local Discovery:
- Jamkaran Mosque: Witness the powerful spiritual atmosphere of this massive mosque complex on the outskirts of Qom.
- Mount Khizr: Hike up the mountain overlooking Qom to visit an ancient mosque and enjoy panoramic sunset views.
Mid-Term Break Travel:
In addition to weekly excursions, the program includes a multi-day trip during the mid-term break to a major historical city, such as Isfahan or Shiraz, allowing for a deeper exploration of Iran’s heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who is this program for?
Ideal for university students, researchers of Islamic studies, heritage learners, or anyone seeking full immersion. No prior knowledge of Persian is required (beginner tracks are available).
- What is the dress code in Qom?
Qom is a religious city, and a modest dress code is observed.
- Men: Long trousers are required (no shorts). Short-sleeved shirts are acceptable.
- Women: Loose-fitting clothing (Manteau) and a headscarf (Hijab) are required in public. In the Holy Shrine, a Chador (full-body wrap) is often required (provided at the entrance).
- What is the weather like?
June to August is summer. Expect hot, dry days (35°C–40°C) and cooler evenings. Our facilities and accommodation are fully air-conditioned.
- What type of Visa will I get?
Hikmat Institute will assist you in obtaining a Student Visa or Entry Visa depending on your nationality. Please register by February 10, 2026, to ensure ample processing time.
Organizer
Dr. Morteza Rezazadeh
Founder and president of Hikmat International Institute will lead this residency. As a graduate of the Islamic Seminaries of Qom and Hartford Seminary in the United States, he is an expert in Religions, mainly Islamic and Shiite Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations. As a professor of Islamic theology and jurisprudence, he is ideally equipped to introduce foreigners to the culture and religion of Iran.
Costs & Inclusions
- Fee (Single Room): $2,900 USD
- Fee (Double Room): $2,400 USD
What's Included:
- Comfortable accommodation in a student residence for 60 days.
- All language classes, cultural workshops, and materials.
- All organized Thursday excursions and the mid-term trip (transportation, guides, entry fees).
- Daily breakfast.
- Visa invitation letter and support.
Not Included:
- International airfare.
- Visa fees payable to the embassy.
- Lunch and dinner (affordable options are available near the residency).
- Personal expenses.
Ready to Join Us?
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For more details, email us at: info@hikmat-ins.com
Trip Itinerary
Note: Plans are subject to change, and updates may be made as needed.
April 5
- Arrival in Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) and transfer to hotel
- Rest and overcome jetlag
- Welcome meeting at the hotel
April 6
Morning:
- Sa’adabad Historical Complex (Residence of the Last Shah of Iran)
- Jamaran Village
Afternoon:
- Museum of the Islamic Revolution
- Nature Bridge
- Milad Tower: Tallest in Iran and sixth tallest in the World
April 7
Morning:
- Yusuf Abad Jewish Synagogue
- Golestan Palace: a Masterpiece of the Qajar Era
- Iran National Museum (Archaeological Museum)
Afternoon:
- Departure to Qom
- Arrive in Qom in the evening and check in the hotel
April 8
Morning:
- Shrine of Lady Ma’sumeh
- Mara’shi Najafi Library
Afternoon:
- Women’s Islamic Seminary (Jamiat al-Zahra)
- Workshop with Shia Scholars
- Jamkaran mosque*
April 9
Morning:
- Leave Qom for Kashan after breakfast
- Fin Garden
Afternoon:
- Traditional houses of Kashan (Tabtaba’i House)
- Masjid-e-Jami
- Departure to Isfahan
- Arrive in Isfahan in the evening
April 10
Morning:
- Naqsh-e Jahan Square and its surrounding areas including:
- Aali Qapu Palace
- The Masjed-e Imam Mosque (Shah Mosque / Royal Mosque)
- Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque
Afternoon:
- Traditional Bazaar of Isfahan
April 11
Morning:
- Masjid-e-Jameh
- Vank Armenian Cathedral
Afternoon:
- hehel Sotoun (40 Columns) Palace
- Historic Bridges of Isfahan
April 12
Morning:
- Departure to Yazd after breakfast
- Arrival in Yazd around noon and check in the hotel
Afternoon:
- Yazd historic Old City walking tour
- Water Museum
April 13
Morning:
- Towers of Silence
- The Zoroastrian Fire Temple (burning since 470AD)
Afternoon:
- Amir Chakhmaq Complex & Jamea Mosque of Yazd
- Dowlat Abad Garden
April 14
Morning:
- Leave Yazd after breakfast
- Short Stop at Pasargadae
- Arrive at Persepolis around noon
Afternoon:
- Visit Persepolis
- Departure to Shiraz
- Arrive in Shiraz in the evening
April 15
Morning:
- Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Pink Mosque)
- Eram Garden
Afternoon:
- Tomb of Saadi and its surrounding beautiful gardens
- Tomb of Hafez
April 16
Morning:
- Arg-e-Karim Khan
- Vakil Mosque and Hammam
- Moshir Caravanserai and Bazaar
Afternoon:
- Shah Cheragh Shrine
- Quran Gate
April 17
- Fly to Tehran
- Fly Back Home from Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
PreviousTours
Iran Tour 1
April 2015
Iran Tour 2
March 2016
Iran Tour 3
November 2016
Iran Tour 4
April 2018
Iran Tour 5
April 2022
Iran Tour 6
April 2023
Iran Tour 7
May 2023