Absolutely Brilliant Past Review
By Tracey Spaugh (University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill) - abroad from 01/20/2019 to 05/04/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Jordan - Geopolitics, International Relations, and the Future of the Middle East
I gained a more nuanced understanding of the region's politics, people and language. You do not simply learn, you experience it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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? |
Yes
The program gave me a great chance to learn about the politics of the region in a very experiential manner. We learned from academics, politicians, business leaders, and a variety of important people. We also had the chance to learn Arabic and study Jordanian culture in a way not possible in the U.S. |
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? | The program gave us a weekly stipend. I never spent more than the stipend. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat out in the local areas instead of the more Western-style areas like Abdoun and buy lunch outside the area as well. You should have more than enough money if you spend responsibly. |
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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced one |
| 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 with your host-families in Arabic as much as possible and use it when you walk around the city. Simply interact with Jordanians. |
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? | This is simple, but I wish that I would have known about the lack of water in the country. It is rationed and it was a bit of an adjustment. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
