Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amman is Awesome Past Review

By (University of Maryland - College Park) - abroad from 08/22/0013 to 12/18/2014 with

AMIDEAST: Amman - Area & Arabic Language Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was amazing. My language skills got so much better while I was there and I really got a chance to experience the culture. I really felt like I had found myself a new home.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was definitely used to higher academic expectations, however, I believe part of the downfall of this particular session of the program was that many of the students I went with weren't dedicated to their studies.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

JD are worth more than dollars, so this is hard. It helped /TREMENDOUSLY/ though that the program decided to give us a travel stipend.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Not much, maybe 10-20 JD per week. Most of that was non-essential though, because my host family mostly provided me with everything I needed.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

They tried to encourage us as much as possible, but it was difficult given that the majority of the students were apathetic about actually using the language.

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? Arabic Content Courses
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? Don't let people peer pressure you into speaking English. Peer pressure them into speaking Arabic!! In fact -- this doesn't work with your fellow classmates obviously -- but for locals who tried to speak to me in English, I would tell them that I didn't know English (that I was Greek or something not American). It didn't always work, but it's worth a shot. People can be very quick to switch to English -- especially when they want to practice their language -- but just stay focused on using Arabic as much as possible.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Community Based Learning -- Volunteer opportunities in the community
  • Host Family -- they were like a second home I truly love them
* What could be improved?
  • Language/academic rigor
  • Facility resources (library, chairs, study space)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that I should have stayed for the whole year instead of just one semester.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

ARAB 302
Course Department:
Instructor: Samar
Instruction Language: Arabic
Comments: Samar was AWESOME! So helpful and patient. It was clear that she really cared about my progress and did everything in her power to help me.
Credit Transfer Issues: