Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

AMIDEAST Spring in Amman Past Review

By (Political Science and Government, University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 01/17/2015 to 05/17/2015 with

AMIDEAST: Amman - Area & Arabic Language Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am definitely glad that I chose AMIDEAST, despite a few of the setbacks I had with professors and my host family. Most of my courses were incredible and the program staff in Amman are very competent and responsive to the needs of students, without being overly involved or coddling. I really loved the language partner component of the program, and still meet with my language partner and her family regularly.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

See above.

* 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)

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

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? I had completed three full years of Modern Standard Arabic
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Program staff -- very well run
  • Language partner
  • Getting to know Amman
* What could be improved?
  • Host family assignments
  • Consistency of pre- and post-OPI tests (mine were entirely different)
  • Professor selection
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It would have been a safer bet to choose a shared apartment over a host family. While some of the families are amazing, it is a big risk and I don't think it really improved my Arabic much -- I learn a lot more when I'm with my language partner instead.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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!