A Beautiful Country with Beautiful People Past Review
By Emma K (International/Global Studies., The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 09/11/2014 to 12/21/2014 with
University of Jordan: Amman - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that the people of Jordan and the surrounding areas are incredibly welcoming and diverse. These people have a different religion, speak a different language, and live across the world from me, but we are not that different from each other.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Many people associate Jordan with the unrest and conflict all throughout the Middle East, leading them to believe that Jordan is unsafe. This couldn't be further from the truth. I never once felt unsafe while I was in Jordan. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
It is not difficult to eat cheaply while in Jordan since groceries are much cheaper than in the U.S. if you shop the right places. Eating out can be expensive, but you can also find a good meal for less than a dollar. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Walk as much as can, taxis can get expensive and when you do need to take a taxi share with other people so you don't have to pay for the full ride. Also, explore different grocery stores. Local butchers and produce markets are much cheaper than larger grocery stores. It can be scary if you don't know how these smaller shops work, but it is a good chance to meet the locals and definitely worth the money saved. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We lived with other American students and did not have much exposure to the native students at our university. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Arabic 152 |
| 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? | Make sure you talk to people at the places you shop and at restaurants. Let them know that you want to practice their Arabic so that they don't speak to you in English. Chatting with taxi drivers can be one of the best ways to practice Arabic. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The best way to get involved with locals is to go out and meet them yourself because the program does not offer much support in this area. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
