Amman: A Cultural Crossroads Past Review
By Justin W (International/Global Studies., Virginia Military Institute) for
AMIDEAST: Amman - Area & Arabic Language Studies
Study Abroad helped me to further my learning and educational experience by allowing me to explore and experience a culture and region rather than just read about it. The experience and knowledge I have gained will help me in future careers and interactions because of my better understanding of how to interact with people of different languages, cultures and beliefs as well as my more in depth understanding of the Middle East.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
low student to teacher ratio, language teachers were extremely willing to work with students and help them before or after classes. Core class teachers were leaders in their fields. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Staff is extremely friendly and approachable |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
You must eat at Hashems in downtown at least once |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Program insured that we saw all the major sites of Jordan such as Petra, Wadi Rum, the Jordan River, Mt. Nebo |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Amman, and felt safe being out at night |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Having a host family greatly increases your exposure to the local language and culture |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I have friends that studied abroad in Jordan in the same time frame through a program that enrolled them in JU, the main differences were that they had direct interaction with Jordanian college students (where as we were set up with language partners) and that AMIDEAST took us to see all of the major sites in Jordan (while the other program showed them about half and expected the students to visit the other sites on their own). |
