My first time out of the country was so incredibly eye opening! Past Review
By Kalif R (Economics, Georgia State University) - abroad from 06/11/2015 to 07/10/2015 with
AMIDEAST: Amman - Intensive Arabic, Summer
I learned so much! I learned a lot about the Arabic language and I learned a lot about Islam and Arabic culture. My trip abroad was extremely worth while.
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. |
The course work was very intense, mainly too time consuming. It was very difficult to actually go out and explore the Jordanian culture and see different areas. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was amazing and truly made my host home feel like a real home! They were very helpful and accommodating and I felt completely comfortable around them. |
| * Food: |
To start off, I am a picky eater for the most part. Despite that, the food was actually good but, in my food experiences, there wasn't a lot of variety. A meal would usually consist of bread, rice, and some form of chicken. Most of my meals came from my host family. The meals weren't bad, but they did become monotonous to me. I also got sick my second day in Jordan because of the yogurt they use in meals. If you have a sensitive stomach or digestive system I would stay away from the yogurt. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt pretty integrated with the local culture near the end of my study abroad, but the work load from class greatly inhibited on my ability to further integrate. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick from the yogurt used in some of the foods in Jordan. I got sick my second day and I was sick for two days. The program administrators were great in getting me to a doctor in a timely manner, one of the guys (Hamza) drove me in his truck and stayed with me at the docotor's office and helped me get the medicine needed for my treatment. The doctor's office was super small and it was just a small waiting area, his office, and then one patient room. The doctor was smoking a cigarette the whole time he was treating me (such is the culture over there). He gave me a shot and 3 medicine prescriptions, none of which actually helped me feel better. The medical care and experience just wasn't anything like what I was accustomed to. |
| * Safety: |
I felt pretty safe most of the trip! The only place where I felt uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe was downtown Amman. Always use the partner system, especially at night! I did have an incident where a cab driver pulled a crowbar on my friend because we both refused to pay him is rip off price. None of us were harmed but it was pretty dramatic and outlandish. There's good taxi drivers, but sometimes they can try and rip you off. Pay attention to how much trips cost you and learn how to stand your ground. |
| 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) |
The Jordanian Dinar is stronger than the US dollar. When I first got to Jordan, I didn't spend too much money. My host family provided meals and I would come home late because of studying and as soon as I arrived home the food would be ready. Near the last 2 weeks of my program I realized I wasn't spending a lot and started to spend more. Plus, I went on a few excursions and spent a good amount of money on those. I spent the most on food and cafes (tea, hookah, other snacks). I spent about $350 or so for the month that I was in Jordan. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Mathematically, about $88 a week. But I think a solid number is $75 for the week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Always remember how much you've spent. Be wary of when you go out and spend money and be wary of the exchange rate and understand that the JD is worth more than the USD. |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Arabic 2002 |
| 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? | Challenge yourself to speak as much as you can. Speak with your host family in Arabic. Ask your host family as many Arabic questions as you can. Pick up on the phrases and nuances of the language. Be confident when you speak, confidence and style is everything when speaking. I've seen people with a smaller vocabulary than me sound very natural when speaking due to their confidence and calmness in their voice. |
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? | How much to pack and what exactly to pack |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
