Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesome overall with a few concerns Past Review

By (Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/31/2014 to 12/19/2014 with

CIEE: Amman - Language and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot of language skills, which was my primary reason for going abroad, and I made a lot of friends who are interested in the same kinds of things as I am that I will definitely keep in touch with.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I wish that my apartment had been closer to the university, or that we had been given a proportional stipend to avoid paying extra out of pocket.

* Food:

Food wasn't part of the program.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were many opportunities to interact with students on campus, but there weren't too many people nearby the apartment building who were willing to interact.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt really safe most of the time. The program did a good job of addressing a lot of safety issues in orientation, so I felt really prepared. The only two concerns I had were sometimes cab drivers could get aggressive on the roads and there was a lot of street harassment, but I never really felt in any amount of danger, it was more of an annoyance.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Amman was a very expensive city to live in, which we were told, but it was particularly expensive for someone living in an apartment as opposed to a home stay. It felt almost that we were being penalized for not choosing the home stay option, when in reality I know that personally a home stay would not be the right choice for me. Everyone got a stipend, but that stipend was the same for everyone regardless of housing situation or distance away from the university, so some people were able to pocket the money and walk to school from their home stay whereas I had to often supplement it with my own money to cover transportation costs, plus buying food for myself. I definitely spent more money to survive than others in the program.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $155
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't live in an apartment

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Level 2/3 according to Middlebury College
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Use the resources they provide for language practice, or find a student willing to converse in the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Structure of language classes
  • Language instructors
  • Excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Apartment living
  • Area studies classes
  • Scheduling
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that it would get so cold and rainy towards the end of the program, and that it would take a couple weeks to really adjust to the culture. Also that I would never really feel like a part of the community except while on campus.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!