Learning Arabic in Amman

I am so happy that I chose to participate in the CIEE Summer Arabic Language program in Amman. My goal going into the program was to make enough progress to skip Second-Year Standard Arabic and begin my third year in Fall 2017. Through a combination of our intensive Arabic classes and being immersed in an Arabic-speaking city and culture, I was able to reach this goal. My Arabic professor back at home was very impressed with my progress in just one summer, and so was my native Arabic speaking tutor.

At the beginning of my time in Amman, it was difficult to navigate the city and communicate effectively, but this really helped me grow, and by the end, it was much easier and I was able to confidently take public transportation to the places I needed to go. I learned a great deal in Jordan - not just about Arabic, but also about living in another culture, about adapting and being resourceful in unfamiliar circumstances, and about all the similarities and all the differences between us. I was also able to visit many beautiful, interesting and historic places. One of my favorite experiences was visiting Wadi Rum, where we rode camels, witnessed traditional Bedouin cooking practices, and stargazed under the beautiful desert night sky.

I’m so grateful for this opportunity and I believe it will end up being one of the most valuable experiences of my academic career. I hope to return to Jordan soon!