Jordan

Arabic Language & The Middle East

Develop your Arabic language skills and earn academic credit while exploring Jordan’s social, political, and environmental landscapes. Explore the country’s ancient landmarks, such as Petra and Jerash.

  • College Credit

  • Language

  • Peace, Politics, & Human Rights

WHY STUDY ARABIC IN JORDAN?

Your Experiment starts in Amman, the capital of Jordan, a modern city with ancient roots. This fascinating city of contrasts—a unique blend of traditional and contemporary—is where you will begin your 45 hours of formal Arabic classes and experience Jordanian history, culture, and day-to-day life.

Then deepen your immersion by becoming part of a local community for four weeks during homestay activities and service projects and take advantage of around-the-clock opportunities to practice Arabic beyond the classroom. Your language training may exceed 90 hours with practice through formal classes, host community and peer interactions, and more. Expand your knowledge of present-day Jordan through discussions on politics, Islam, democracy, human rights, the role of refugees, and multiculturalism. You will also learn about the ongoing debates surrounding Jordan’s environmental and natural resource challenges.

Outside the capital, explore Jordan’s ancient history in Gerasa (Jerash) and Gadara (Um Qais), two cities of the Decapolis, a Greco-Roman federation of cities east of the Mediterranean. Visit Petra, one of the world’s new seven wonders, and trek the rocky mountains of Wadi Rum on camelback.

Explore the sample course syllabus to learn about teaching modules, learning outcomes, and program expectations.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will earn three college credits through The Experiment’s accredited partner institution, School for International Training.

LEARN BY DOING

The Experiment’s programs are designed to build skills that will help you succeed. In Jordan, you will learn:

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Arabic language
  • College prep

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

  • Time management
  • Intercultural communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Adaptability
  • Relationship-building

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • Be prepared to be intellectually challenged by the course content and your learning community. Participants will be expected to complete required readings, assignments, exercises, and actively participate in course discussions.
  • Certain program activities will require a specific dress code based on site visits and cultural norms. More details will be available in the packing list.
  • Bring clothing that is modest and culturally appropriate yet will keep you cool.
  • Time allocated for optional activities means freedom and flexibility, which require a level of independence.
  • Some cities are becoming more vegetarian/vegan friendly. Vegetarians and vegans will find that Levantine food is rich in vegetable-only dishes (such as fuul, hummus, tabbouleh, and falafel). Kosher meats are not available in Jordan, though other foods that fit into Jewish dietary requirements are easily found.
  • Access to the internet is limited and internet speeds and connectivity vary.
  • Jordan is a conservative country regarding LGBTQ+ issues. We encourage students to approach the program staff for support on gender and sexuality questions and concerns.
  • The diverse personal and social identities of participants may, in part, shape their experience abroad. In-country partners will discuss cultural norms and the local context during orientation. Please read our approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for further information. All students will have a safe space within the program spaces and with the local staff and group leaders.
  • The Experiment program structure is rooted in experiential learning and cohort-based learning. The participant group experience is a major source of learning for Experimenters and is facilitated by trained Experiment group leaders.

AT A GLANCE

Program Availability

Suspended

Program Date

Jul 1 - Jul 30

Prerequisite

None

Program Fee*

$6,946.00

(does not include airfare)
Group Airfare Cost

TBD

Departure City

TBD

*Program fees may increase by
$500 -$1000 to account for changes
to lodging accommodations.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • College credit
  • Meals
  • Lodging
  • All program activities
  • In-country transportation
  • Health insurance
  • Experienced group leaders

Families or partner organizations are also responsible for arranging and paying for participants' domestic travel to the international departure/return airport in the U.S., whether flying, driving or by other means. By its nature, domestic airfare varies by airline, timing, destination, and availability.

Though it was only one month compared to a lifetime, my Jordanian family will always be a part of me. I got to learn a new language, try new foods, dance to new music, sing new songs, and create more memories. So, to The Experiment, my group leaders, host family, and all of the friends that I’ve made on this trip, شكرا!

Sample Itinerary

This itinerary is only a sample and is subject to change. Because of factors such as group size and availability of in-country offerings such as festivals, your experience — including sites visited and the number of days spent in each location — may differ somewhat from the one presented below.

View Itinerary Details

Days 1-3

Orientation in Amman

  • Learn about Jordan’s history and culture from experts.
  • Get to know other members of your group during online activities.
  • Start learning and practicing Arabic.

During the orientation period, you will stay in a centrally located hotel.

Days 3-25

Urban Stay in Amman and Cultural Activities (Thematic Focus)

  • Become immersed in the daily life your host community in Amman.
  • Attend 40 hours Arabic language classes.
  • Learn about Jordanian history and culture from guest speakers.
  • Learn about issues facing refugee and migrant communities in the Middle East.
  • Attend seminars on women’s issues and the media in Jordan.
  • Learn about Humanitarian assistance projects within Jordan and meet with the Red Crescent NGO, an organization similar to the Red Cross.
  • Attend cooking classes and sample traditional Jordanian cuisine.
  • Visit ancient the Amman Citadel, Souk el Sulta, an open-air market.
  • Attend a prayer service at the famous Al Houssien Mosque on Hussaim mountain.
  • Take a dance class to learn traditional Jordanian dances.
  • Visit the Jordanian river.
  • Participate in a community service project.
  • Explore the city of Amman.

Days 26-28

Southern Excursion

  • Visit Petra, one of the ancient wonders of the world, to view the ancient buildings carved out of mountainsides.
  • Hike to sacred sights of Mount Nebo.
  • Trek up the rocky mountains of Wadi Rum on camelback, explore the beautiful red sand desert.
  • Explore more ancient history in the cities of Gerasa and Gadara, two cities that were part of a Greco-Roman federation of cities.

During this period, you and your group will stay in hotels and a camp.

Day 29

Wrap-up and Reflection in Amman

  • Reflect with your group on your experiences during the program.
  • Go water hiking in Wadi Al Mujed.

Day 30

Departure

 

Past Group Leader

The Experiment’s group leaders go through a rigorous selection process and have extensive experience with youth education, local expertise in the country or region of their program, language abilities, knowledge in their program theme, travel logistics and management know-how, and experience with health, safety and risk management.

Dakarai Johnson

Originally from Lilburn, Georgia, Dakarai earned his bachelor’s degree in international Affairs with a minor in African, African American diaspora studies and a concentration in conflict and security issues from James Madison University in 2022. Currently, he is pursuing a master’s degree in national security and Intelligence at Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service. Dakarai has conducted research on internal human security issues, such as climate change, water rights and land tenure and the effects they have had on conflicts and the peace process. Dakarai has experience with global exchange programs through a past summer internship with the Washington Mandela Fellowship under the Presidential Precinct, and his current work as a Program Associate with World Learning’s Professional Fellows Congress and Alumni TIES teams.

Program experts

College credit-bearing programs are led by accomplished and experienced faculty approved by the School for International Training (SIT). Faculty of record typically live in the country of study and are responsible for instructional content, classroom and field experiences, and daily program operations. They work in close consultation with SIT’s Dean of Faculty and The Experiment staff team and group leaders to craft an engaging, college-level curriculum and design field and internship experiences that match student needs and interests.

Dr. Raed Al-Tabini

Raed, a Jordanian national, holds a PhD in environment and sustainability from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK. He is a former general director of the Hashemite Fund for Development of Jordanian Badia in Jordan and has managed a variety of development projects in the Middle East and North Africa on such diverse topics as environment and sustainability, management of scarce water resources, and developing sustainable livelihoods in pastoral communities. He is a frequent presenter at international conferences and is well-published in the field of sustainable development. He has served as an academic director with SIT in Jordan since 2007. His role as academic director is multifaceted, as he designs the various academic and field-based components of the program, administers the program as a whole, and acts as a resource and intellectual guide. He has also delivered lectures on water and environmental policy and taught a course on research methods and ethics. The SIT program is heavily research-oriented, and he ensures that ethical standards are met, and that research is thoroughly professional, academic, and topical to the program of study.