Amman, Jordan Past Review
By A student (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/26/2014 to 05/17/2014 with
CIEE: Amman - Language and Culture
It was one of the best experiences of my life and would consider doing it again. Learning how to live in a more conservative society helped me learn a lot about myself.
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. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Amman. However, a friend and I did get into an altercation with one of the taxi drivers mainly for being foreign women. We ended up in the police station. |
| 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 program gave us monthly stipends to use towards transportation. I lived with a host family so they provided most meals and didn't have to spend much if I didn't want to. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I would spend anywhere from $20-$200 a week depending on how much traveling I did within the country. Traveling to nearby cities was cheap and easy to do. |
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 |
The only time we used Arabic was with the locals and most of the students in the program stuck together and spoke English most of the time. I would suggest to step out of your comfort zone and make friends with the locals and not just hang around the rest of the American students. |
| 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? | 3 semesters of Arabic |
| 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? | Try and practice with everyone. Most locals want to make friends and help you with your Arabic. |
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? | Have no expectations. |
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! |
