One of the best intensive Arabic programs available. Past Review
By Matthew B (Brigham Young University) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 12/21/2012 with
Brigham Young University: Amman - Jordan Study Abroad Program
I reached an advanced level of Arab reading, listening, and speaking ability. I developed a love for the culture with all its quirks and problems.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Everything I had hoped for as far as being challenged and encouraged to improve quickly during an intensive program. |
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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? |
Very comfortable and close to so many things including the institute. The only problems we had were with the chairs (the legs came loose very easily) and the washer (which had some issues towards the beginning of the semester). |
| * Food: |
Does it get any better than authentic Jordanian food? |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Obviously there are things that I could not experience simply because of who I am and the time limitations on our program, but I felt like I was able to mix with most any circle (appropriate for a male) comfortably. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Obviously the ME is not a safe place in general, but I never felt that I or my wife or my baby girl were ever in danger. Naturally, we avoided dangerous areas. |
| 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) |
Jordan is fairly cheap. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20 dollars for food; gifts and keepsakes varied in price. |
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 |
There is no better program for it. |
| 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 202 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | I feel like I knew just about everything I needed. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
