Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A life changing time in Jordan February 09, 2023

By (Arabic, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/26/2022 to 12/15/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury In Amman

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Massive improvement in language skills

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.

Three of my four classes were great courses. The fourth had a well designed independent project but otherwise lacked structure.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration was great. Sometimes I felt they were a bit nosey but usually they were just trying to help

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had a great home stay

* Food:

Food was delicious

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I struggled at times to integrate, as I really stood out in all places, but I made an effort to connect with locals

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare was accessible, and I used it. I found it was easier for me to manage these things on my own outside of the program, but the program supported students who requested it.

* Safety:

I felt safer in Amman that in a large city in the United States in many respects

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I had an amazing experience, with great classes, friends, host family, volunteering, travel, exploration, etc

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)

Transportation was expensive

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $110

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

Full Language Pledge

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 300
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

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?
  • Commitment to Language
  • Upper Level Classes
  • Three day weekends, able to explore country and meet all kinds of people
* What could be improved?
  • More activities with Jordanians
  • Internship/Classes with Jordanians
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that it is okay to take a break. I pressured myself to take advantage of every language and exploration opportunity. This is more of a personal reflection.

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Arabic Literature
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Jordanian Arabic
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Arabic
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Issues in Islam
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Arabic
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Project Based Advanced Arabic
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Arabic
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: