Global Health in Jordan: New Perspectives & Finding my Niche Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

If I could award more than five stars, I would! This program provides a perspective on global health that is incredibly genuine and rare to find. I learned more than I thought possible through field visits to refugee camps, hospitals, clinics, health centers, and women centers all around Jordan from the capital to the Badia. Nothing else could have prepared me more for my intended future as a nurse practitioner in pediatrics, able to work abroad.

On-site administration of your program

The staff of JOH is truly unique. They are hard-working, devoted, selfless, and endlessly looking out for your best interest. My academic director also helped me acquire an internship abroad and has continued to be a resource for me beyond my study abroad program. I cannot say enough positive things.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a homestay family in Amman and it was extremely valuable. They are incredible people and I could not be more grateful for knowing them. They welcomed me into their home and family! And absolutely every day was a learning experience. There is no better way to leave your comfort zone, learn a language, and genuinely integrate yourself into a culture.

It's the Middle East...the food was fantastic. And every American guilty pleasure (yes, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, snickers if that's your thing) are all also just as available as falafel, hummus, and zatar.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Taking taxis and exploring on a daily basis made me feel very integrated with the local culture. There is a certain barrier just being a foreigner, but I was definitely able to feel entirely comfortable going about a daily routine on my own by the end and I felt like I left an American-Jordanian.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I actually became very sick during one of our excursions and my academic director AND peers did not hesitate to get me the best care possible. A doctor was easily retrieved and I was on the mend in no time. Endlessly grateful for being so taken care of!

It's a common stereotype that women will feel unsafe anywhere in the Middle East. I would like to make it very clear that I felt comfortable the entire time I was living in Amman. As long as you follow general precautions (which everyone should do anywhere in the world), there is really, truly no blaring threat here on the average streets of Jordan. I felt entirely safe.

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

Amman is the most expensive city to live in (even over Dubai), so expenses were certainly a concern for me. However, SIT provides a weekly stipend for taxis and lunch, which was hugely helpful and made it so that living on a student's budget was doable and not a major stressor.

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

Arabic classes are conducted throughout the majority of the semester (before ISP) in both modern standard Arabic and spoken Arabic. Host families really encourage language use as most of them speak minimal English and obviously, the program ideal is to speak as much of the local language with taxi drivers, shop keepers (everyone!) as much as possible.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• ISP
• Excursions
• Field Visits

• Meeting host families earlier
• More time for ISP data collection

The Academic or Linguist