Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Jordan: Hidden treasures and good falafel Past Review

By (International Relations, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 08/31/2014 to 12/16/2014 with

CIEE: Amman - Language and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The most important thing that I learned while abroad was the reality of the Middle East versus what we see in the media. I never once felt in danger or threatened. If anything, I felt at home because of how welcoming and open the people that I met there were.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-$150 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? For this specific program, all of the students took taxis to get everywhere. At first they seem really inexpensive but overtime the costs add up. My best advice is to share a cab with as many people as possible.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
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 6
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? The best way to practice is to find a language partner or listen to music or read the news.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Traveling to other countries
  • The program staff
  • Jordanian food
* What could be improved?
  • More integration between locals and Americans
  • The class schedule
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known a little bit more about how the classes would be structured and how hard it would be to leave campus in between classes. There were times when I would sit in the same area for 5 hours in between classes because I didnt realize that our classes would be spaced so far apart and that with how bad traffic is it would be impossible to go home in between classes and come back.

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 Urbanite
A 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.