Interestingly awesome looking for a way to return there! Past Review
By delisha.king (Arabic, University of Georgia) - abroad from 01/10/2011 to 05/23/2011 with
AMIDEAST: Amman - Area & Arabic Language Studies
People are people no matter where you are in the world and as long as you accept their culture then you will adapt very quickly and learn to relax and have fun.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I entered the program as a much more advanced Arabic linguist and I was still challenged and learned a lot! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great staff. Hala is so sweet and understanding like a mother and she is very familiar with both Jordanian culture and American culture to help you deal with and issues you have. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose the host family option and honestly I think these families participating although sweet, they are not financially able and so if you looking for lower quality of living, cramped living quarters because they have multiple kids, maybe smokers, sometimes no hot water, no heat, ok eating the family always keeping track of when you leave and come then go for it! I wish I'd chosen apartment living because we stayed out a lot trying to experience the night life and party with friends. The family was more conservative. I got to practice my Arabic a lot however. |
| * Food: |
Love the food in Jordan! It was delicious and healthy. I was eating alot and still losing weight. He he. Some of my favorites were falafel wraps from paradise on wakalat street in swefiyyah and kalha in abdoun there are great shawrama at dowar rabiyya oh all my food experiences was lovely and of course if you don't like the Mediterranean food there are still traditional American food places as well as Chinese lol |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Well you stick out like a sore thumb because you look like a foreigner and that's okay because they are use to us. Just be careful as a female. Don't talk to strangers especially men and especially taxi drivers! If you do they may think you are interested and take it a step further than you are comfortable with. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Yeah some kid got this really bad diarrhea virus while he was there but he contracted that while on spring break in the Philippines. I was bitten by something and my arm became swollen, but Hala took me to the doctor and we got some ointment and I was fine. The medical facilities aren't state of the art but they function. Just don't drink the tap water keep bottle water and you can get anything from the pharmacy without a prescription but this is not recommended. |
| * Safety: |
Well your safety depends on your vigilance. I was pretty comfortable traveling by myself, but I would not recommend this either. There were some iffy occasions where I probably should have been with someone. |
| 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) |
Look it's a study abroad program so it's pricey especially in Jordan where the dinar is valued more than the dollar. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | A lot. I had 5000 extra in cash and I got a monthly stipend of 650 and I still came home broke lol! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Yeah don't save. It's probably a once in a lifetime opportunity so don't limit your fun by trying to save |
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 |
Every day in more than half my classes. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | 4000 level Arabic college course |
| 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? | Find local exchange students who speak the language at your college or surrounding universities and team up! Check out your English as a second language department. |
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? | That Jordan was fashion forward and everyone dress like models. |
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.' |
