Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Taste of Arab Culture and Middle East Geopolitics October 07, 2024

By (Politics, Occidental College) - abroad from 01/29/2024 to 05/14/2024 with

SIT Study Abroad: Jordan - Geopolitics, International Relations, and the Future of the Middle East

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about the geopolitics of the region. I also learned a lot about Arab culture that I did not expect to learn. Lastly, I learned about myself, being constantly pushed out of my comfort zone was a great opportunity for growth.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned a great deal from my time studying abroad, primarily through experiential learning. Some courses could be more rigorous and have more up to date materials.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Program administration was superb.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was the highlight of my experience.

* Food:

Jordanian food, especially that cooked by my host family, is extraordinary and could, on its own, motivate me to visit Jordan again in the future.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living with a host family and moving around the city as locals do I felt integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Amman is a very safe city. There were no safety-related incidents during my time on the program. Students can safely explore any part of the city together regardless of the time of day.

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

I had the desire to learn more about politics in the Middle East. I feel that I know have a much stronger grasp on the region. I made great friends, learned about Arab culture, and ate great food while I was at it.

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? $25-50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? There are many opportunities to eat cheap but delicious food in Jordan. Some western meals like pizza, burgers, and alcohol can be much more expensive.

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? Engage with the language as much as possible. Even a small effort is appreciated by taxi drivers, restaurant workers, and your host families.

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
  • International Students
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?
  • Making SIT Friends
  • Engaging in the culture
  • Excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Academic Rigor
  • Class reading materials
  • Phsycology of Peace Course
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There is a much greater focus on Arabic language than I expected. In fact, many students attended primarily for Arabic and secondarily for geopolitics.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.