Life Changing, Amazing Semester in Jordan Past Review
By Kelley J (Economics, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee) for
AMIDEAST: Amman - Area & Arabic Language Studies
Definitely. My understanding of culture is what improved the most. I'm currently living abroad, and have plans to study for my grad degree abroad as well.
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. |
Program was amazing! All the classes that AMIDEAST offers are interesting and informative, and the range of classes offered on the Middle East are much more extensive than at my home university. The classes were small, my Arabic class only had three people, giving me a lot more personal attention than at my home university. The courses were much more intensive though, and I found the workload to be more than my home university, but not unmanageable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My favorite part of the program was how much personal attention that each student received both from the teachers and the program administrators. Everyone was always willing to help! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
In hindsight I would have chosen to live in an apartment. The conditions at the host family were fine, but the family and I never really clicked. |
| * Food: |
Lunch every day from the falafel restaurant down the street from school. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
AMIDEAST took us to see all the major sites in Jordan, including an overnight trip to the desert. They also arranged cultural events such as cooking classes, a meeting with a former prime minister and debke lessons. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
We had a briefing with a rep from the Embassy about security concerns, as well as a very in-depth orientation. I never felt unsafe in Amman, even going 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? |
Practicing with everyone you meet. Many people do speak at least basic English, so if you don't put forth effort, you won't practice as much. The program set us up with language partners, which was a great way to meet young Jordanian friends. |
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? | Go for it! I was nervous about the security situation in Jordan before leaving, but it was the best five months of college. I learned so much about myself, improved my Arabic and my understanding of the Middle East. AMIDEAST's program is amazing, and I met so many wonderful people. This program is great because you get a lot of personal attention, not sort of lost in the shuffle of tens of students as friends on other programs complained of. |
