Jordan Is A Life-Changing Experience! Past Review
By Kayla R (Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott campus) - abroad from 06/14/2013 to 08/10/2013 with
University of Jordan: Amman - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
This program was 100% worthwhile. I would love to do it again. I gained the knowledge of experiencing another culture firsthand. I got to meet so many insightful people that have truly mind changing thoughts. I got to see firsthand the refugees from Syria that fled to Jordan. This program will stick with me and many of my decisions forever.
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. |
Summer courses were packed with a lot of information, but if you study then it is easy to pick up on |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administration was amazing! The program director, Mohammed Naser, was the best director our group could have asked for. He was very professional and took the time to ensure that we saw everything that the culture had to offer. I definitely recommend him. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in an apartment in the city. The apartment was in a nice walking distance from anything we could need. The apartments were completely furnished and were very nice. |
| * Food: |
I definitely recommend the hummus and pita bread. I also recommend the pizza, mansef, and chicken. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We interacted with the locals every day, ranging from taxi drivers to shop keepers and people we met in the stores. Everyone was willing to help us out with the language. Most people can speak English as well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare was easily accessible to students and insurance covered a great deal of the costs. Our director was happy and willing to go to the doctor with us if we felt uncomfortable going alone. It was a very helpful option. |
| * Safety: |
The city's culture was different than what many Americans are accustomed to but overall the safety of the city and the program was very high. Our director was always one phone call away which made me feel very safe. |
| 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) |
I was on scholarship so we were given a stipend to live on. Things in Jordan are generally very cheap though. You can buy a sandwich and coke for less than a dinar in many places. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent around 15 dinar per week on food and household items. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure to make a budget and don't spend all your money in one place. |
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 |
We had to speak Arabic in order to communicate with the locals or read most of the signs. Although there is a lot of English spoken in Jordan, it was a fun challenge to learn and communicate in Arabic. |
| 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? | Use the language with the locals, whether you are giving directions to a taxi driver or asking a store owner how much something costs. Practice makes perfect! |
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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| 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 now that I knew to make more lasting friendships with some of the people in Jordan. I wish I had gotten closer to more of the locals. |
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! |
