Home Away From Home August 08, 2023

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The overall educational experience was amazing! A the places we were able to visit and the people we were able to meet taught me so much about the region and introduced me to perspectives that I had never previously considered. I was so grateful for our Academic Director, who carried the program and helped us really take advantage of our time in Jordan. Although sometimes I wished that the classes were more organized or that the expectations for assignments were more clear, I quickly learned to go with the flow and learned so much from the experiences we all shared. I would personally recommend taking the 3 credit Arabic class over the 6c if you are more excited to spend time with your host family and if you aren't trying to become fluent in Arabic. I still learned so much and felt as though I had more free time to explore Amman.

On-site administration of your program

They're literally angels who will do anything to see you succeed. They cared about each of us so much and knew how to get things done to communicate with our host families, teachers, etc. They are amazing.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family could not have been more amazing. They are some of my dearest friends, and I know that we will all always treasure the bond that we made that semester. They took such great care of me and showed me all around the city, introduced me to their extended family, and helped me in every way. I truly don't know what my experience would have been like if I did not live with a family. It was the best aspect of the entire semester.

Jordanian food is amazing. Even if you are picky, there is always something that you are going to like. The host families and school are also very accommodating to vegetarian / other diets, so if you are worried about that, don't let it stop you from studying in Jordan. I still think about Mansaf and Makluba 24/7!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Each host family is different, with different culture and traditions. It was so fun to share what you had been up to with your family with other students and hear about their experiences. I especially enjoyed living with my family during Ramadan. It was so special to be able to spend that time with them and hear about the beliefs that they treasured so much. I was also able to make friends around the city with students my age, and they did an amazing job in showing me around and teaching more about Jordan. I'd say that you're going to get back as much as you give- so really try to put yourself out there (in safe and smart ways) for a more immersive experience!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had a problem with anything!

Americans are safe in Jordan. I did have a few experiences with Ubers, so I would just emphasize how important it is to always be aware of your surroundings, just like you should be in any big city in the US. I was glad to have an amazing host family, Jordanian friends, and the SIT staff always looking out for me.

The way the SIT Staff, my host family, and my new Jordanian friends just welcomed and embraced us was the most amazing part of the whole experience. Nothing could have prepared me for their kindness and love, which fostered such an amazing learning environment inside and outside of the classroom.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• Host Family
• Internship
• SIT Staff / SIT Students

• Organization of Classes

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer