Jordan: The Friendly Side of the Middle East Past Review
By A student (Political Science And International Studies, University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/28/2012 to 12/09/2012 with
SIT Study Abroad: Jordan - Modernization and Social Change
Aside from the obvious academic component, I learned how several completely foreign cultures live and how they look at me as an American. This was possibly the most worthwhile trip of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The support staff in Jordan were amazing, they were always there to provide help with whatever I needed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
My homestay mother made homecooked meals every night. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have to take advantage of the health care in Jordan, but the program had a doctor talk to us during orientation and told us what options were available. |
| * Safety: |
As long as we avoided protests and listened to the US Embassy's safety alerts and the SIT administration everything was as safe as possible. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Arabic 111 |
| 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? | Use it as much as possible with as many people as possible. Even with classmates, speaking English won't help you learn a language any faster. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | I wish I had remembered to bring bug spray, since it is pretty expensive and the bugs can get bad. Also, not to bring shaving equipment since it takes up quite a bit of room. The barbershops in Jordan will give you a shave with a straight razor for a good price. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
