Abstract البيت بيتك /Make Yourself at Home: Hospitality in Arab and American Culture This presentation reports on a Project-Based Language Learning initiative entitled "البيت بيتك/ “Mi casa es su casa”/ Make yourself at home." The project is conducted at the Arabic Flagship Program at Indiana university and focuses on the concept of Hospitality in both Arab and American culture as a medium for developing intercultural competence and connection among American students and Arab newcomers in their community in the U.S. Why hospitality? Hospitality matters because it deepens existing relationships and creates the space for new ones to flourish. While learning a new language or studying abroad, students can be considered “like guests who honor the house with their visit and will not leave without having made their own contribution" (Smith, David I. & Barbara Cavill, 2000). Likewise, students can help better welcome newcomers in their community at home if they learn about the latter’s understanding and practices of hospitality. This project will help Arab newcomers avoid culture shock especially when they host Americans, and help the Arab community to appreciate the American culture of hospitality. It also will help students learning Arabic and those interested in studying abroad to avoid the culture shock of hospitality. Through this project, students build a hospitality-focused resource by engaging with the Arab community and compiling a large number of authentic materials (videos, news, articles, and social media, etc.) all related to the tradition of Arab and American hospitality. The presentation reports on the various steps and challenges of designing and implementing this project as well as the linguistic and intercultural outcomes for Arabic learners in this program.