Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Co-sponsored by the Council of International Educational Exchange (CIEE) and International Academic Programs, the language and culture program is open to Arabic-language learners of all levels. In addition to Arabic language courses, students will also have the opportunity to take a number of elective courses in English in subjects such as media, archeology, economics, international relations, politics science, religion, and theology, all relating to Middle Eastern culture. Working with peer language tutors, numerous community volunteer programs, and language clubs create an immersion experience for participants. This program also includes excursions to Jordan's archaeological, historical, and natural wonders. Students have the option of studying for a semester (fall or spring) or for the academic year.
As the capital, Amman is the largest city in Jordan with a population of approximately 3 million inhabitants and is the cultural and commercial center of the country. With a history that reaches back 5,000 years, Amman is renowned for its ancient ruins and traditional downtown souk (marketplace). Amman also has a modern side with American-style shopping malls, art galleries, theaters, and cinemas. This cosmopolitan city offers a safe, stable environment to study the Arabic language.
As the capital, Amman is the largest city in Jordan with a population of approximately 3 million inhabitants and is the cultural and commercial center of the country. With a history that reaches back 5,000 years, Amman is renowned for its ancient ruins and traditional downtown souk (marketplace). Amman also has a modern side with American-style shopping malls, art galleries, theaters, and cinemas. This cosmopolitan city offers a safe, stable environment to study the Arabic language.
Getting to Your Program
Participants are responsible for arranging round-trip transportation to the program site.
Visa
A visa is required for U.S. citizens prior to departure. Participants must have a passport valid for six months after the end of the program.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
Students also participate in a CIEE Online Pre-Departure Orientation. Meeting with students online, the Resident Director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving students time to ask any questions before leaving home. The online orientation allows students to connect with others in the group, reflect on what they want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. The CIEE goal for the pre-departure orientation is simple: to help students understand more about the program and site, as well as their goals for the program, so that they arrive to the program well-informed and return home having made significant progress toward their goals.
The program begins with a mandatory three-day orientation, which introduces students to the academic program, fundamentals of intercultural communication, and practical information about living in Jordan. During orientation, students also take a mandatory Arabic pre-test to determine their appropriate level. Students are retested at the end of the term and will receive a copy of their results while on site. Orientation also includes a health and safety component conducted in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Amman. Ongoing support is provided on an individual and group basis throughout the program.
Housing
Students have the option of being placed in an Arabic-speaking homestay or living in an off-campus apartment with other program participants. Students in homestays are normally provided breakfast and dinner by their host family, with lunch on their own. During the weekend all meals are generally provided by the host family. Students who chose the apartment option are responsible for all meals. The cafeteria at the University of Jordan provides subsidized meals during the week. There are also inexpensive sandwich shops around the university.
Excursions and Activities
Students will have excursions to Jordan's archaeological, historical, and natural wonders, in addition to a choice of day trips to Jordan's archaeological sites, hiking in some of the nature reserves, and overnight trips to Petra or Wadi Rum. Trips vary between fall and spring semesters. Students are encouraged to travel around Jordan during weekends and school breaks. The Dead Sea is just a day trip away. Travel outside of Jordan requires completion of a travel form and review of potential safety and security concerns with the resident director.
Insurance
All participants in IAP programs are enrolled in health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance is included in program fees. CIEE also includes the iNext card in their fees.
On-Site Support
CIEE Resident Director and staff
Returned Student Network
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here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
Student Testimonials
I wanted to study abroad in the Middle East because I knew the only way to really learn and understand a people is to live among them. Coming to Jordan with CIEE gave me the opportunity to live in a Muslim society and learn about their culture and politics. I have also achieved real, daily progress in an extremely difficult language.
Blogs
Read about current & past students' adventures.
Nicole-Fall 2012
Students take Arabic language courses as well as elective courses taught in English with other students in the program. Elective courses are available in subjects such as media, archeology, economics, international relations, politics science, religion, and theology, all relating to Middle Eastern culture. Classes are small and taught by native Arabic speakers who have also been trained in language instruction. To aid in cultural immersion, students may have the opportunity to volunteer for a variety of organizations and will be partnered with a native speaker language tutor. Students are encouraged to meet up with their language tutor for three hours a week to practice conversation skills, explore the university, and learn about Jordanian culture.
Students who would like to do a for-credit internship are placed in non-governmental organizations that may be involved in community development, public opinion, social welfare, women's rights and political participation, environmental protection, or women's studies. Students keep a journal, meet weekly for group discussions, and then write an analytical research paper reflecting about their experiences during the internship.
Affiliate Institution(s)
www.ju.edu.jo/home.aspx
Program Web Page(s)
www.ciee.org/study/programOverview.aspx?pID=132#1rightForYou
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
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