Middlebury School in Jordan

I had a really wonderful time studying abroad in Amman with the Middlebury program. I loved traveling around the country and exploring different parts of Jordan outside of the capital. I enjoyed meeting friends from the University of Jordan as well as other students on the program. I wasn't proficient at Arabic when I first arrived in Jordan but improved tremendously over the course of the semester, largely with the help of my professors and the program staff and my host family and friends. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to live in a beautiful and fascinating country the Middle East for a semester! I only wish I had stayed longer.

The Middlebury school in Jordan is a fantastic way to learn Arabic and get immersed in Amman! The capital of Jordan isn't a hub for partying or getting lit, but it supplies an incredibly deep and comprehensive view of international aid or security work in the region. Amman has an active ex=pat community, and the intrepid student can meet both locals and foreigners working on the hottest middle east issues of our time. Note that in order to truly enjoy your time on the Middlebury program, you have to really put yourself out there. If you make the most of your opportunities for mentorship, community engagement, and much more, you can find a real space for yourself in this global hub of social change!

When you couple Amman's charming dysfunction with the difficulty of the Arabic language pledge, finding your way in this program is a challenge, but rewarding adventure. Seeing your learning/language skills progress throughout the semester is an exercise in patience and determination. The teachers are excellent (especially Fusha and Aamiya), Middlebury staff is great, and Jordan language partners/mentors are invested in befriending their American counterparts.

Students live in homestays for their 1st semester, which was by far the most fun/rewarding experience. I lucked out by having the best host mom, who became a close friend, but others might not have lucked out as I did.

Emphasis on getting out of the "Middlebury bubble" is strong, important, and one of the strongest aspects of the experience. Academically, students have project week, investing in a pertinent Jordanian topic, and often have assignments where they must interact with Jordanians. "Days of exploration" encourage students to get out and know Jordan. Also, the program staff creates a culture where exploration in Amman and relationship building with non-native English speakers is encouraged.

This is the best study abroad program in Jordan if you want to learn Arabic. Immersion really helps with your conversation skills and also your confidence. The staff was great and they will help you with anything, but you do have to take initiative and ask questions. One of my favorite parts of the program was the weekend trips; we explored some really amazing places in Jordan from Wadi Rum in the south to Aljoun in the north. Academics were challenging because they were all taught in Arabic, but I preferred that. If you get a chance, take Yousef Hamdan's literature class. At once the hardest and most rewarding part of the program for myself.