Meaningful Life Experience Past Review

By (Princeton University) - abroad from 06/11/0014 to 07/10/2014 with

AMIDEAST: Amman - Intensive Arabic, Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was as worthwhile as it possibly could have been. I cannot wait to study abroad again on the off chance I will have nearly as rewarding an experience again

Review Photos

AMIDEAST: Amman - Intensive Arabic, Summer Photo AMIDEAST: Amman - Intensive Arabic, Summer Photo AMIDEAST: Amman - Intensive Arabic, Summer Photo AMIDEAST: Amman - Intensive Arabic, Summer Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Phenomenal educational program

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Excellent orientation, tours and accommodation

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Professionally run host family placements

* Food:

Most meals provided by host family, but special event lunches were great and staff were more than helpful with finding local places

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got sick towards the end of the program and the program handled everything I needed in terms of arranging the doctor's appointment, picking up antibiotics, etc... I felt completely taken care of

* 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)

Involved frequent outings to cafes and restaurants during time there in addition to student organized excursions

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Arabic 102
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? Stay with a host family, try to spend time with and speak to locals rather than fellow American students 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?
  • Host Family
  • Rigor of Classes/Quality of Teachers
  • Immersion into culture
* What could be improved?
  • More language use
  • more efficient use of language partners
  • More outings around Jordan
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Four weeks is not really enough time to spend-better to go for eight

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'