Hello all.  I am currently learning Arabic Modern Standard.  I have been told that most Arabic speakers will understand me but I won't understand most native speakers because they will speak a dialect instead of Arabic Modern Standard.

Is this true? Should I learn a different Arabic?  If so what should I learn? Egyptian Arabic? Syrian Arabic? Jordan Arabic?  

I live in Rochester, MN by the Mayo Clinic.  Arabic speakers from all over the Middle East come to the hospital here.  Learning Arabic has been very hard for me.  I want to focus on the dialect that will be used by the most people who are visiting Rochester.

.  What should I focus on?