Internship and Study Experience in the Middle East February 16, 2025
By Gabriela M (Psychology, University of Houston - Downtown) - abroad from 06/16/2024 to 08/04/2024 with
SIT Study Abroad: Jordan - Counseling & Humanitarian Action Internship
I was able to complete 5 different certifications under my internship program. This trip is a memory I will cherish forever.
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. |
Dr. Ashraf was not only an academic guide but also our professor, and he made the learning experience enjoyable and manageable. He maintained a balanced approach to coursework, ensuring that we had enough time to explore other interests and still have fun. His expectations for class participation were clear, as he encouraged us to stay engaged and active throughout class. Additionally, he introduced basic Arabic lessons, allowing us to gain an understanding of the language and its cultural context. Overall, Dr. Ashraf's approach to teaching was both thoughtful and effective, and I truly appreciated his efforts to make learning more engaging. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Dr. Ashraf and Farah are incredibly caring and compassionate individuals. What I appreciate most is how approachable and easy to talk to both of them are. I am truly grateful for their support. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was incredibly loving and made me feel at home from day one. My host mom was especially kind, taking the time to teach me Arabic, which helped me. My host siblings were so sweet, and their energy truly made the house feel like a family. I felt completely comfortable living with them, and the experience was one of the highlights of my time abroad. |
| * Food: |
My hosts were incredibly welcoming when it came to meals, and they made sure I always had enough to eat. At the restaurants they gave large portions, that are made to be shared. Be prepared to eat! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt incredibly welcomed by the culture during my time abroad. It wasn’t just my host family, but the people I met everywhere I went were warm, kind, and always eager to make me feel at home. Whether it was through casual conversations or small gestures of kindness. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
During my time studying abroad, I faced some medical challenges, and Dr. Ashraf and Farah went above and beyond to offer support. They helped me manage my issue and stayed in touch to ensure I was doing well throughout the process. |
| * Safety: |
Overall, I felt very safe during my time abroad. The community is supportive, and if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation, it's important to speak up so that others can come to your aid. |
| 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) |
Dr. Ashraf was incredibly helpful in guiding me through budgeting during my time abroad. With his advice, I was able to manage my expenses effectively and even left the trip with money left over. We were provided with weekly stipends that covered lunch and transportation (Uber) to and from the internship site and classes. However, any additional expenses such as traveling to other places, purchasing extra food, or buying items were out of pocket. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't buy things from the first store you go to, sometimes you can negotiate down or find it for cheaper at other places. |
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 |
At our internship site, we had a translator available, but there were times when we still had to rely on our own communication skills with colleagues when she wasn’t present. We had a weekly basic Arabic class to help us learn common phrases. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginner |
| 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? | I highly recommend asking your host family for help in learning the language. They are always eager to assist, and not only do they enjoy helping you improve, but they also feel proud when they see you starting to understand more. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I would have practiced some Arabic beforehand. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
