Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Challenging Second Semester Abroad Past Review

By (IR, Political Science, MES, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/13/2013 to 05/10/2013 with

AMIDEAST: Amman - Area & Arabic Language Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
language skills improved greatly, made great friendships, and learned about the culture, religion, history, and politics of Jordan and the surrounding region studying abroad was the best thing I ever did, this program was just not my favorite

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • challenging academics
  • having the option to take 5 classes
  • Arabic instruction was EXCELLENT both for Colloquial and MSA
* What could be improved?
  • administration treated students like young children, thus hampering efforts to explore and learn
  • isolation of the building limited interactions with Jordanians; very difficult to meet people who weren't Americans
  • weekly cultural dialogue was ineffective
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The administration and my relationship with one woman in particular meant that this program left a bad flavor in my mouth. I felt that they were overbearing to the point that it limited students' ability to explore and learn. In short, they were too protective. On a different note, they were not sympathetic nor lenient about changing policies when a personal emergency came up during my stay.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'