"Jordan: Enlightening, Complex, and Life Changing" Past Review

By (Global Studies and Political Science, Providence College) for

SIT Study Abroad: Jordan - Modernization and Social Change

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can't even begin to describe how much I grew as a person, and how my mind was broadened by this experience.

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.

Workload and grading systems were similar to those at my home institution. Teaching methods were very different and involved total immersion into the language and culture. It was excellent.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were the best group of professors and advisors I could have ever hoped for. Always available and SO eager to help.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived pretty far away from class which was a bit of a financial burden even though my stipend was more than other students. It barely covered transportation too and from class and I had to pay for all other to and from the site on my own.

* Food:

LOTS OF FALAFEL. The positive aspect of food in Jordan is that it is very cheap. However the variety of food is pretty limited.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Jordanian people are the kindest people in the world and my classmates were awesome.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe the entire time. Jordan prides itself on being very safe and is regionally known for being the safest country in the middle east.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Taxis ate up most of my budget. Too and from classes was around 7 dinar a day.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

It was primarily classroom based due to the fact we were required to practice our Arabic while in Amman.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* 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?
  • My classmates
  • All of the personal relationships I made in Jordan
  • My professors
* What could be improved?
  • More funding! Financial constraints really hurt!
  • SIT needs to allow us to visit other countries during the program. I would have loved to go to Palestine and Jerusalem while I was in the Middle East.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If your a political science major focusing on either regional or international issues, Jordan is an extremely fascinating place. GO!