"Jordan: Enlightening, Complex, and Life Changing" Past Review
By Neil H (Global Studies and Political Science, Providence College) for
SIT Study Abroad: Jordan - Modernization and Social Change
I can't even begin to describe how much I grew as a person, and how my mind was broadened by this experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload and grading systems were similar to those at my home institution. Teaching methods were very different and involved total immersion into the language and culture. It was excellent. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were the best group of professors and advisors I could have ever hoped for. Always available and SO eager to help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived pretty far away from class which was a bit of a financial burden even though my stipend was more than other students. It barely covered transportation too and from class and I had to pay for all other to and from the site on my own. |
| * Food: |
LOTS OF FALAFEL. The positive aspect of food in Jordan is that it is very cheap. However the variety of food is pretty limited. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Jordanian people are the kindest people in the world and my classmates were awesome. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe the entire time. Jordan prides itself on being very safe and is regionally known for being the safest country in the middle east. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Taxis ate up most of my budget. Too and from classes was around 7 dinar a day. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
It was primarily classroom based due to the fact we were required to practice our Arabic while in Amman. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | If your a political science major focusing on either regional or international issues, Jordan is an extremely fascinating place. GO! |
