Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Immersion Past Review

By (Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/15/2012 to 05/11/2012 with

CIEE: Amman - Arabic Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Best experience of my life, and going was one of the best decisions. I learned about the people, culture, and improved my language skills beyond anything I imagined. I feel so connected to that part of the world now and can't wait to go back.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Definitely rigorous, with tons of homework. But it got easier, and I could REALLY see proof of my own improvement. It made me really grateful even when I wanted to just give up and quit!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Anything you needed, they would help you get it. Also extremely responsive to any surprise situations.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everyone in the program did a homestay-and mine was fantastic. Great food, wonderful people, and lots of laughs on both sides as I stumbled my way through the language.

* Food:

The food in this country will literally make you wish your stomach was three times bigger! Be sure to visit the restaurant Hashem and the little sandwich shops Reem and Rajoul al-Falafel!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This was a really individual thing. I had a great integration with my family and my teachers, but sometimes I personally struggled to balance homework, socializing with my classmates, and still getting to meet local people. (Not to say that I didn't meet any, just that it was hard!) But other students did a MUCH better job of meeting Jordanians than I did and made lots of friends. As far as the culture itself goes, what the homestay doesn't give you, various program-run trips to important places in the country give you a great view of the country's diversity. Loved every minute.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Everyone was almost OVERLY willing to take care of any students who got sick, and hospital visits were frequent. Furthermore the program gives you a list of professionals to contact at the beginning of the semester.

* Safety:

There were a few surprising cases of campus violence during my semester (just small fights, sort of like there would be in a high school) but CIEE was always on top of things BEFORE most of us even knew anything was wrong, and would immediately locate all students and get them out of any areas even REMOTELY concerned.

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)

Since you live with a family that will feed you at least two meals a day (though most will try and foist more on you) really all you pay for is transportation, for which you will get a stipend that can help a lot if you use it wisely. However, it IS likely that students will want to eat out at least sometimes, but the best food in town is almost guaranteed to be cheap unless you're trying some sort of foreign cuisine!

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Between $25-50, but I had a bit of a coffee habit that boosted that up more than necessary.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take buses over taxis whenever possible, eat at home with your family most of the time, and when you can't go to the great, local restaurants. When traveling in the country try to get friends to go with you to help split costs.

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

Required. Language commitment, actually.

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 300
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Use it. Read it, speak it, listen to it, dump English except when you absolutely do not know a word. Total submergence will lead to the fastest results.

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?
  • AMAZING staff/teachers. I learned SO MUCH.
  • Language commitment to speak only Arabic, the language of study.
  • Consideration for students: the program-run weekend/weeklong trips were amazing, helping us to get the best of every location/experience life like locals, and bond with each other.
* What could be improved?
  • Occasionally the work left no time to explore the actual country.
  • At the time, language proficiency would block you from taking certain electives, but I feel like we all could've handled any class. They are working on this.
  • There was one class in English we were required to take that didn't please anyone, but we've all already notified them that it wasn't very good for the program.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Really make an effort to meet Jordanians and UTILIZE your language partners and families-they can help you and want to do so, and can give you a whole different look at the culture. Also, bring an umbrella. Seriously. Rains WAY more than it should.