Hard, but amazing because I can speak Arabic now! Past Review

By (Arabic Language and Literature, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/16/2015 to 05/02/2015 with

CET Jordan

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can speak Arabic now, and I could not at all at the beginning. Definitely worthwhile.

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.

I thought the academic rigor could have been more intense. We definitely had work to do, but the feedback and follow through on completed work was not consistent. However the program was intense because we had Arabic class for four hours a day every day the first month. After that our other courses began, so we had even more time in class (although Arabic language was reduced to three hours a day). Office hours were in the morning, and there were interns and professors there to always help. The best part of this program was the language partner program

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Always accessible and there to help.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I really liked my apartment! I made a home out of it.

* Food:

I had to feed myself, so that was hard. There was no dining plan.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did not feel integrated because I was living in apartment style housing in an apartment building with all the other Americans in the program. Although I had a Jordanian roommate, most of the social life revolved around the Americans hanging out. I wish I had more exposure to Jordanians and their culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was depressed at the beginning of the program, and the program directors helped me find a therapist. Although I didn't follow through, I was glad they were there to support me.

* Safety:

Amman was for the most part a safe city. The only time there was a major problem was when ISIS burned alive the Jordanian pilot Kasesbeh. There were protests in the streets and on Friday after the Jummah prayers.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $70
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat out!

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? Beginner
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? 200 level
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Speak as much as you can and don't break the pledge.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Language pledge
  • language partner
  • amount of class time and small size of class
* What could be improved?
  • not living with other Americans
  • more structure at the beginning so we could get to know other students more easily
  • more cultural immersion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I would be spending most of my time with Americans, even though I didn't want to. I wanted to spend more time with Jordanians.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.