jordan amman citadel sunny
Amman, Jordan

Middle East Studies

Study Program Part-Time Internship

Dates

-

16 weeks

Costs

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

16 weeks

Costs

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

37 weeks

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

16 weeks

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Overview

Home to more than 100,000 archaeological, religious, and tourist sights, Jordan is your key to Middle Eastern history, culture, politics, food, and language study. Whether you immerse yourself in university life at CIEE Amman or by directly enrolling in one course at CIEE’s partner school, Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), studying abroad in Jordan will give you insight into the politics and society of the Middle East.

 

Coursework is available across various academic areas in English and Arabic classes to match your skill level. If you’ve never studied Arabic before, enroll in English courses while learning basic Arabic greetings. If you have a fundamental understanding of Arabic, make your experience immersive by building on your language skills and learning Colloquial Jordanian. All your courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond Amman to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding and community engagement.

 

During your time abroad, you will have the rare opportunity to meet individuals key to the social fabric of Jordanian society, including diplomats, government officials, members of the growing private sector, Jordanian students, and families. You may also choose to gain work experience by enrolling in an internship in a governmental, semi-governmental, local, or international NGO.

Unique Experiences

ELECT TO DO AN INTERNSHIP

at a local or international NGO or business

VISIT IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL

and natural sites in Jordan, such as Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Jerash, and several historical and biblical sites

INTERACT WITH LOCAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

and improve your Arabic through a peer language assistant program and cultural activities

6,000

SPECTATOR CAPACITY AT THE ROMAN THEATER

2M+

VISITORS PER YEAR

7

HILLS FORM THE MAIN CITYSCAPE

Experience
  • amman desert student group excursion
  • amman green mountains student smiling
  • amman desert sunny day student excursion

Your Destination

Amman boasts ancient history and diverse, vibrant modernity. It is an accessible, cosmopolitan city with numerous museums, art galleries, and theaters, not to mention a delicious variety of Arabic food, like hummus! With its reputation for security and hospitality, Amman is home to inhabitants from all over the Middle East. The city provides a safe and stable environment for students to learn about the region.

 

During your time in Amman, you will have every opportunity to immerse yourself in Jordanian culture. Special guest lectures by government officials, activists, and local experts will enrich your academic program. You are encouraged to use your Arabic language skills in everyday settings and out-of-classroom activities. This practice fosters Arabic language proficiency and a better understanding of Jordanian society. CIEE also coordinates a series of local site visits and cultural activities. Our staff will help keep you updated on local cultural events, such as conferences, films, and concerts.

 

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Amman.

The Culture

jordan study abroad student excursion

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

Students enjoy a number of excursions to Jordan’s archaeological, historical, and natural wonders. These visits may include exploring biblical Jordan, camping in the middle of the desert during an excursion to Wadi Rum (known as the Valley of the Moon), visiting one of the New Wonders of the World, Petra (known as the Rose City), or hiking in a Middle Eastern forest. You’ll also have an opportunity to participate in an organized community service project in Amman.

interns abroad ciee amman center table chatting

INTERNSHIP

CIEE partners with more than 20 institutions and organizations where students may participate in for-credit internships. In the past, students have interned at Eco-Peace, Leaders of Tomorrow, Generations for Peace, Center for Strategic Studies, American Friends Service Committee, Global Nomads Group, and USAID. The experience of an internship, combined with your studies in Jordan, will offer you a unique insight into the Jordanian social structure and work environment.

student volunteers abroad amman jordan painting

VOLUNTEERING

Give back to your host community while learning about Jordanian culture and people by volunteering. You could help to renovate and paint an elementary school in a nearby rural area, hand-in-hand with the community for one day. Or help Jordanians with their English language skills. Students have also found opportunities to engage with Amman-based organizations that work with underserved communities. You may also volunteer in a community kitchen or an orphanage. 

Volunteering can also serve as a not-for-credit internship.

amman students smiling together abroad ciee office

INTERACT

Through the Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), CIEE students have the option to enroll in a PSUT course and engage with PSUT students by participating in cultural clubs, sports teams, and general activities organized by the student council. You may enroll in one course at PSUT, keeping in mind that you will have to stay in Jordan for at least one month after the end of the CIEE program since their semester starts after ours.

Program Blogs

How to Pack Like a Pro

By Elysse G.

Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience, but it can also be overwhelming to pack for an extended stay in a foreign country. Here's a packing list for studying abroad... keep reading

Have a Sweet Tooth? Jordan Has You Covered.

By Elysse G.

Jordanian cuisine is rich and diverse, and the country's desserts are no exception. From sweet and sticky pastries to delicate floral-infused cakes, Jordanian desserts are a must-try for any foodie... keep reading

Must-Try Cuisine in Amman, Jordan!

By Elysse G.

Jordanian cuisine is a delicious and unique blend of flavors from the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean. Here are the five most famous Jordanian dishes that you must... keep reading

What People are Saying

  • "CIEE Amman is an extremely organized and well-run program. The staff on-site in Amman are friendly and are more than willing to work with students one-on-one. CIEE also works with students from the moment they're accepted into a program until they depart from their abroad experience to return home."

    Matthew S., Elizabethtown College

  • "CIEE has made for a really incredible study abroad experience with a lot of fun events, and very little complications with anything."

    Brian B., University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

  • "I loved everything about the CIEE program. The staff was absolutely amazing and I keep in touch with them still!!"

    Madison H., Pennsylvania State University

  • "The program gave me a lot of flexibilty for independent travel, the cultural activities were great, the staff were always helpful, and the courses were a great contribution to my undergrad education"

    Natalie P., Macalester College

  • "It is an amazing experience. You learn so much more about the world, life, and you learn about things you would have never thought about or expected going in."

    Zaarin M., University of California-EAP

Housing
Academics

Academics

CIEE’s Middle East Studies program offers study abroad students a series of specially designed area studies courses in international relations, history, environment, literature, politics, regional diplomacy, economics and religion. All courses provide an overview of issues relevant to Jordan and the broader Middle East region. One of these courses can be an internship at a local government agency, international organization, national organization, or business. Although there is no language prerequisite, all students are required to take both Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Jordanian Arabic while in Amman following an onsite placement exam. 

Students also have the option to take one course from  Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT). 

Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT) was founded in 1991 and is the only private and nonprofit university in Jordan. It is owned by the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), the foremost applied research center in Jordan. Students in the Middle East Studies program may choose to enroll in one PSUT class. 

CIEE students will have access to AACSB courses offered by PSUT's King Talal School for Business Technology.

CIEE Amman is located in a traditional neighborhood, which allows students plenty of opportunities to interact with local residents and get to know key institutions and sites with ease. 

Please note: If you opt to register for a course at PSUT, the end of the term will be at least one month after the CIEE program ends. Please check with your enrollment advisor for the exact date and arrangements. 

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Demonstrated interest in the Middle East and Arabic language through coursework and statement of purpose.

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

  • Modern Standard Arabic at the appropriate level 
  • Colloquial Jordanian Arabic at the appropriate level 
  • Two or three elective courses.  This may include one course from PSUT. 

Program Credit

Total credit: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits

Course Credit

  • CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours 
  • CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours 
  • CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours 
  • Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT) courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 48 contact hours  

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

This program is academically rigorous and offers focused students an opportunity to make great strides in their language and overall knowledge of the region. Students attend Arabic language courses five days per week. Area studies courses are held in the afternoons or evenings once a week. Class attendance is required, and unexcused absences count against students’ final grades. Jordanian classrooms and classes tend to be lecture style; however, many are conducted seminar style, allowing for dialogue and discussions. Many of the professors who teach CIEE courses have received degrees in either the United States or the United Kingdom or have participated in fellowships abroad and thus are familiar with American classrooms.

Class Format

Participants study only with other CIEE students from the Middle East Studies program at CIEE Amman. The extracurricular activities, lectures, and workshops with experts on a range of contemporary issues allow CIEE students to gain official insight into Jordan’s most pressing domestic and international concerns. Participants who choose to take a course through PSUT will study with Jordanian and other international students on the PSUT campus.

Grading

Grades (A-F, with pluses and minuses, based on a 100-point scale) are assigned based on mid-term and final exams or paper and, depending on the course, additional assignments, such as a research paper, assignments/homework, or class presentation. Attendance and class participation are incorporated into the final grade for the program courses. Class attendance is mandatory for all CIEE classes.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English and Arabic

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

Course Information

Course Notes
Please note: If you opt to register for a course at PSUT, the end of the term will be approximately one month after the CIEE program ends. Please check with your enrollment advisor for the exact date and arrangements.  

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit

PRINCESS SUMAYA UNIVERSITY FOR TECHNOLOGY (PSUT) 

CIEE students are eligible to take a course of their choice at PSUT.  The courses listed below are a sample of courses offered. A more complete list of courses may be found on the PSUT website 

Courses may include: 
Accounting for Financial Institutions (Banks and Insurance Companies) 
Auditing Under International Standards on Auditing I and II 
Communication Skills and Technologies 
Consumer Behavior 
Financial Management 
Government Accounting 
International Accounting 
Introduction to Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
Introduction to Electronic Business 
Introduction to Social Media 
Management Information Systems 
Math for Business 
Microeconomics 
Organizational Behavior 
Principles of Marketing 
Purchasing and Inventory Management 
Statistical Methods 
Tax Accounting 

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.


 

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Spring 2024 16 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $19,850
Program Fall 2024 16 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $19,850
Program Academic year 2024-2025 37 weeks Start Date End Date
Program Spring 2025 16 weeks Start Date End Date

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.


 

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $16,606**

Housing = $2,750

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $19,850

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $560

International Airfare = $1,200††

Local Transportation = $1,200

Books & Supplies = $150

Visa Fees = $60

Personal expenses = $285†††

Total Costs = $3,455

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $420 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $16,606**

Housing = $2,750

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $19,850

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $560

International Airfare = $1,200††

Local Transportation = $1,200

Books & Supplies = $120

Visa Fees = $60

Personal expenses = $285†††

Other = $30††††

Total Costs = $3,455

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $420 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

††††Covid test fees for entry to the US

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Zein Nsheiwat

DIRECTOR

Zein Nsheiwat has been working in the field of study abroad and cross-cultural education since 2007 and completed a MBA in 2022 at TAGUCI in Amman, Jordan. She has worked...

Jumana Tagqah

ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE DIRECTOR

Jumana has been working with CIEE since 2010. She has a degree in Business Administration and Political Science from the University of Jordan. Jumana runs all the admin and finances...

Samir Issa

HOUSING AND LOGISTICS COORDINATOR

Samir started working with CIEE in 2019. Besides supporting the students’ cultural engagements. Samir manages all aspects of the housing program, and recruits Arabic-speaking host families for CIEE students in...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application 
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office 
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

3

Contact Us 
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info