Is this program right for you?

This program is designed for U.S study abroad students with an interest in studying Arabic and the Middle East region. This program incorporates Arabic language courses with subject courses taught by Jordanian faculty, immersive housing options and numerous cultural activities into the student experience.  Upon completion of this program, students will be well-versed in the issues currently facing Jordan and the broader Middle East region.

Academics

Under King Abdullah II and his father King Hussein, Jordan has made great strides in education, health care and economic reform while creating a distinctively Jordanian democratic structure.  Nonetheless, Jordan faces many challenges that students can study and observe first hand – the effects of regional conflicts, social change, lack of natural resources, environmental concerns, and delivering on the promise of economic development to its citizens.

Students in the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Amman carry a 16 credit hour course load per semester.  All students enroll in Modern Standard Arabic and Jordanian Arabic and select three other courses from offerings in Middle East and North African studies in a variety of disciplines.

Language Courses

Language Studies (7 credits in Arabic required): All students will enroll Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) for 4 credits and Jordanian Colloquial Arabic for 3 credits. For MSA, students will be given a placement exam on arrival and enrolled at the appropriate level.  Students will be placed in the appropriate dialect course based on their MSA level.  Media Arabic is also available for advanced students for an additional 3 credits. 

Middle Eastern/North African Studies Courses

Students will enroll in 2-3 content courses taught in English. These courses will vary by semester. All area studies courses are 3 worth 3 credits each.  Options may include:

* Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East
* Contemporary Jordanian Culture
* The Arab Spring: Revolution and Reform in the Arab World
* Contemporary Issues in the Arab World
* International Relations in the Middle East and North Africa
* Arab Israeli Relations
* Environmental Issues in the Middle East
* Radical Islamic Political Movements
* Modern and Contemporary Art in the Arab World
* Contemporary Islamic Thought
* Understanding Arab Society from Within
* Ethnic and Minority Relation in the MENA Region
* Women and Society in the Arab World
* Community-based learning in the MENA Region (comparable to an internship)

Course descriptions can be found here.

Student Life

Amman, capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is an ancient city facing distinct modern challenges, thus making it an exciting place to live and study.  Built on seven hills, Amman has expanded in size and population from a quaint sleepy town at the close of World War II, to the bustling, multicultural metropolis it is today.  At the heart of the city is the ancient Citadel containing ruins from many civilizations.  It overlooks a well-preserved and restored Roman Amphitheater, today used for concerts and cultural events.  Further afield in Jordan there are Roman ruins in Jerash and the spectacular Nabatean city of Petra in the south.

Housing & Meals

Students enrolled in the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Amman, Jordan have a choice of living arrangements and meal plans:

Homestays

Living with a Jordanian Family – students who select this option will live with a Jordanian family that has been carefully screened by AMIDEAST/Jordan from a database of qualified applicants; families generally host two AMIDEAST students at a time. All host families are Arabic-speaking; English, however, is spoken in most of the homes.

AMIDEAST matches students with host families using a variety of criteria. While all placement preferences may not be met in every case, AMIDEAST will strive to make the best match to ensure a rewarding and pleasant living experience. In the event of a problem, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program staff members will be available either to mediate or to arrange a new host family placement.  Students living with host families will be provided with all meals by their host families but may find that some days it is not possible to return to the family for lunch because of class schedules.

Shared apartment

Living in a shared apartment with other U.S. study abroad students from the program.  The apartments are carefully selected by AMIDEAST to be safe, comfortable and convenient to program facilities and public transportation. Students purchase or prepare meals on their own.

Academic excursions

AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Amman, Jordan students participate in three program-organized excursions outside of Amman to visit major points of interest. The excursions are coordinated by AMIDEAST/Jordan in conjunction with the program's academic staff and are led by a member of the faculty. Organized activities are combined with limited free time, allowing students to explore independently within a safe and structured framework.  Among the sites visited will be:

• Petra, the ancient Nabatean city in the south, and Wadi Rum
• Biblical Jordan – Madaba, Bethany, Mt. Nebo, and the Dead Sea
• Northern Jordan – Jerash, Ajlun Reserve, Ajlun Castle, Um Qais

Activities

In addition to the academic program, the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Jordan offers a variety of additional learning opportunities to enhance participants' study abroad experience:

• Civil Society:  Students will encounter a variety of Jordanian civil society organizations ranging from local NGOs in a variety of fields to women's organizations to sports clubs.  AMIDEAST/Jordan will organize special activities to facilitate student connections to these organizations.

• Service-learning: AMIDEAST/Jordan coordinates organized service-learning projects either for individual students or for larger groups. With many connections to a wide range of organizations in Jordan, AMIDEAST can adapt projects individual student interests to ensure a unique and satisfying service-learning experience.

• Cross-cultural learning: AMIDEAST/Jordan organizes a variety of cross-cultural learning opportunities. Ranging from meet-and-greets to formal presentations, these events give participants the chance to interact with Jordanian students, to learn more about Jordan, and to introduce others to American culture.

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