I'm going back as soon as I can. Seriously. Past Review
By A student (Politics, History, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/02/2014 to 05/15/2014 with
CIEE: Amman - Language and Culture
I grew as a person and so did my Arabic skills, but what I'll remember most is the friends I made and the fun I had.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Awesome people. Mostly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Meh, lots of issues with heating, water and gas, but it's to be expected. No matter what the program says dongles are you best bet for sold internet. I did the modem thinking that since it was more expensive it would be better. No. Two months with no internet and the rest of the time it barely worked. |
| * Food: |
Sooooo good. Please eat all the mansaf you can find. You'll get tired of shwarmma fast. Off third circle is a place call Alia and they serve a sandwich call the "Armani shwarmma" you have to try it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made life long friends. Please don't feel afraid to talk to Jordanians. They were some of the nicest and welcoming people I have ever met. However you'll find jerks like you would anywhere just don't let it distort your view of the whole country. If you can't deal with smokers please understand that it'll feel as if almost the entire country smokes. Just don't sign up for the program and spend the whole time complaining about the smoke it'll only annoy everyone else. It's Jordan deal with it or go away. That's the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No experience, but there are hospitals all over the city just some are more expensive then others... |
| * Safety: |
There was no moment in the country where I felt unsafe. Period. However the situation maybe different for some girls. If you dress modestly you'll be okay, but there is certainly wide scale harassment of females regardless of how you look. |
| 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) |
Soo expensive almost everyone I talked to ended up paying way more then they expected to. Sometimes almost in the thousands range( and sometime def in the several thousands range). To do anything fun in the country will run up a massive bill. Make friends with rich Jordanians or expect to pay cash money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200~300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take the home stay option unless you've got a crazy amount of money to spend. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | Intermediate 1 |
| 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? | Watch Jordanian tv and most def make Jordanian friends who will constantly speak Arabic around you. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Don't be so afraid of going to the Middle East. It's nothing like you see on the news. Nothing. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Arabic Interm 1 |
| Course Department: | Arabic Language |
| Instructor: | Ms. Huda |
| Instruction Language: | Arabic |
| Comments: | If you've had more then 2 semesters of Arabic at Brandeis and are truly interested in advancing in Arabic take a higher level course. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
