language + culture

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By Term

• Fall 2013
• Spring 2013
• Spring 2014
• Academic year 2013-2014

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Program Overview

Come discover Jordan.

Through intensive Arabic language training, a challenging, comprehensive academic program, and a variety of cultural activities and excursions, study abroad in Amman gives you greater insight into the Middle East, and a truly unique Jordanian experience.

Study abroad in Jordan and you will:

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

Whether you’re just beginning your study of Arabic or you’re an advanced speaker, study abroad in Amman has standard and colloquial language courses to suit your needs and abilities. You’ll also have access to a variety of specially designed area studies courses in fields including archaeology, economics, history, international relations, communications, literature, politics, and religion.

Excursions

Enjoy a number of excursions to Jordan’s archaeological, historical, and natural wonders. Each semester you will have an overnight trip to Petra and a day trip to one of Jordan’s famous archaeological sites. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend a community service trip to one of Jordan’s rural areas.

Volunteering

A range of volunteer options are available to study abroad students, many involving helping others with their English language skills. Previously, students have volunteered with NGOs, a women’s rights organization, educational institutions, and organizations in the for-profit sector.

Peer Language Tutors

CIEE recruits peer language tutors from the Department of Arabic at the University of Jordan. You are encouraged to meet with your language partners for up to three hours per week to practice conversation, explore the University, and expand your understanding of the host culture.

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.

• Tuition and housing
• Pre-departure advising and optional on-site airport meet and greet
• Full-time program leadership and support
• Field trips and cultural activities
• CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits

Please note, program dates are subject to change. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor before purchasing airfare. Click the button to view more detailed information about dates and fees.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Fall 2013 (16 wks)

Extended to: 04/15/2013

09/01/2013

12/20/2013

$15,850

Program Date Notes

Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local transportation stipend, immersion activities including language partners, a comprehensive sutdent handbook, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$12,848

Housing ***

$2,600

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** includes two meals per day during the week, and most weekend meals, for students in homestays. Meals are not included for students in apartments.

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee *

$500

International Airfare **

$1,675

Books & Supplies

$250

Visa Fees

$100

Personal expenses

$1,750

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* Amount for homestay students. Students in apartments should budget $1650 for meals.

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

Spring 2013 (16 wks)

11/01/2012

01/20/2013

05/12/2013

$15,850

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local transportation stipend, immersion activities including language partners, a comprehensive sutdent handbook, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$12,848

Housing ***

$2,600

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** includes two meals per day during the week, and most weekend meals, for students in homestays. Meals are not included for students in apartments.

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee *

$500

International Airfare **

$1,675

Books & Supplies

$250

Visa Fees

$100

Personal expenses

$1,750

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* Amount for homestay students. Students in apartments should budget $1650 for meals.

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

Spring 2014

10/15/2013

to be announced

to be announced

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Academic year 2013-2014

Extended to: 04/15/2013

09/01/2013

to be announced

$30,200

Program Date Notes

Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local transportation stipend, immersion activities including language partners, a comprehensive sutdent handbook, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$24,598

Housing ***

$5,200

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** includes two meals per day during the week, and most weekend meals.

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee *

$1,000

International Airfare **

$1,675

Books & Supplies

$500

Visa Fees

$100

Personal expenses

$3,500

Expenses during break ***

$550

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* Amount for homestay students. Students in apartments should budget $1650 for meals.

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

*** Academic year students are responsible for all meals during the break between semesters, unless staying on at the homestay during this time.??

Eligibility

• Overall GPA 2.75
• Demonstrated interest in the Middle East and Arabic language through coursework and statement of purpose

Recommended Credit

Total recommended credit for the semester is 15 semester/22 quarter hours and for the academic year is 30 semester/45 quarter hours.

Course contact hours are 45 hours and recommended credit is 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours per course, unless otherwise indicated.

Program Requirements

Study abroad students are required to take two language courses: one Arabic language course and one colloquial Jordanian Arabic course. In addition, students take two area studies courses or one area studies course and an internship. A full course load is considered four courses.

About The City

Amman has a history that dates back at least 5,000 years. Despite the ancient ruins that dominate the downtown skyline, much of the city only dates back to the 1970s. Draped over several hills, Amman is a study in contrasts. A traditional downtown souk (marketplace) is a taxi ride away from massive, American-style shopping malls. It is a very accessible, cosmopolitan city with numerous museums, art galleries, theaters, and cinemas. 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.

Meet The Staff

Najeh Abu Orabi

Dr. Najeh Abu-Orabi, a native of Jordan, has been challenging American students to master the Arabic language for over a decade. In addition to leading the Arabic Langauge program, Dr. Abu Orabi manages the Arabic language curriculum for CIEE in Jordan. He has a Ph.D. in Arabic Language Curricula and Education Methods and an M.A. in Arabic Language. Dr. Abu-Orabi has also taught Arabic at the University of Virginia and is a certified ACTFL OPI tester. For the Arabic Language program, Dr, AbuOrabi works with a special team of instructors all with advanced degrees in Arabic language and literature and extensive experience teaching Arabic as a foreign language to international students and are trained in ACTFL standards.

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Ahmad Abu Shaikha

Ahmad AbuShaikha, a graudate of Hashmiyah University in Cultural Resources Management, has been working with CIEE for four years on excursions, volunteer opportunities and activities.

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Zeina Alkaraki

Student Services Coordinator

Zeina al Karaki joined CIEE Amman as a new Resident Coordinator in 2012. Zeina received a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship and taught Arabic as a Foreign Language at Valdosta State University, Georgia. She earned her M.Ed in Educational Leadership from University of Cincinnati, where she also taught Arabic for two years. Zeina also worked with the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR) in Amman within the NCHR Capacity building project.

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Rana Al-Masri

Rana Masri is a ten year veteran of international education in Amman. She manages all aspects of the housing program in Jordan, in addition to advising students on intercultural adjustment and cultural activities in Amman and recruiting Arabic speaking host families for CIEE students in Jordan.

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Stephen Bush

Student Services Director

Stephen Bush, Student Services Director, received his M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, where he also worked as an Arabic teaching assistant. Stephen completed his undergraduate studies at Westmont College, during which he studied abroad in Egypt and travelled to Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco. His study abroad experience inspired him to return to Egypt and the Palestinian Territories where he worked for several years as a volunteer and teacher. Stephen developed advanced Arabic proficiency while living in the region and in 2010 he completed a summer fellowship with the Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA) at the American University in Cairo.

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Elena Corbett

Resident Director

Dr. Elena Corbett joined CIEE in August 2012 as the new CIEE Amman Resident Director. She holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. She has taught a range of courses in Middle East History, Islamic Civilization, and Arabic, most recently at Penn State University Erie and the U.S. Naval Academy, where she was also the Academic Programs Coordinator for the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies.

Elena has designed and administered several study abroad opportunities for American students in Jordan, including the inaugural year of the Critical Language Scholarship program in 2006. A specialist in the history of the modern Middle East with a background in Islamic archaeology, Elena’s research focuses on 19th-20th century intellectual history, and notions of communal identity in Jordan as based on engagement with archaeology and cultural heritage.

She has published her work in Studies in Ethnicity and Nationalism, Middle Eastern Studies, and is completing a book manuscript. Elena has spent many years living and working in Jordan, where the chance to participate on an archaeological dig brought her on her first study abroad experience as an undergraduate student.

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Where You'll Study

Founded in 1962, the University of Jordan is the oldest public four-year institution of higher education in Jordan. The University has 13 academic faculties, 65 academic departments, and a diverse student body of nearly 35,000, including 1,800 international students. The CIEE Study Center is located opposite the main gate of the University and offers students a wide range of support, library, and advising services. Participants in the language and culture program also have access to the CIEE on-campus office in the University of Jordan’s Language Center. CIEE students have access to all major campus facilities, including the library and computer labs.

Housing & Meals

Study abroad students have the option of living with a Jordanian host family or in an apartment with other CIEE program participants. Homestay placements are made on the basis of compatibility between families and students, and in some cases a suitable homestay may not be available for every interested student. Students in homestays generally eat two meals a day with their families and most meals on the weekends. Students are responsible for weekly lunches. Students selecting the apartment option need to budget for all meals, as they are not included in the program fee. All CIEE housing options in Jordan require students to make adjustments to the host culture, including curfews, limits on guests, and decorum. Apartments have limits on visitors and quiet hours for safety purposes and deference to local norms. Students receive some meals during orientation and during CIEE-sponsored excursions. The University of Jordan cafeteria offers subsidized meals during the school week and there are inexpensive sandwich and coffee shops on campus. All students receive a stipend to be used for transportation to and from the campus.

For students planning to stay for the academic year, meals between the fall and spring semesters are not included in the program fee unless they continue to reside with their homestay family.

Orientations

You will begin their study abroad experience in Amman even before leaving home by participating 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 you time to ask questions before leaving home. The online orientation allows you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you 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 you understand more about the program and site, as well as your goals for the program, so that you arrive at the program well-informed and return home having made significant progress towards your goals.

The study abroad program begins with a mandatory four-day orientation, which will introduce you to the academic program, fundamentals of intercultural communication, and practical information about living in Jordan. During orientation, you'll also take a mandatory Arabic test to determine your appropriate level. You'll be retested at the end of the term and receive a copy of your results while on site. Orientation also includes a health and safety component. Ongoing support is provided on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

Internet

The University of Jordan library has limited wireless Internet access; however, you are encouraged to bring wireless-enabled laptops and budget for purchasing internet dongles from local service providers. Internet cafés are a convenient and inexpensive option.

Culture

The academic program is supplemented with excursions to Jordan’s archaeological, historical, and natural wonders. Each semester you will have an overnight trip to Petra and a day trip to one of Jordan’s famous archaeological sites. You will also have the opportunity to attend a community service trip to one of Jordan’s rural areas. Trips vary between the fall and spring semesters depending upon the weather. Resident staff will keep you up-to date on local cultural events, including films, concerts, and conferences.

Independent Travel

You are encouraged to travel independently in Jordan during weekends and scheduled breaks. Travel is not permitted when classes are in session. Any travel outside of Jordan requires the completion of the CIEE Amman Independent Travel Form and review of potential security or safety concerns by the CIEE resident director. You must also sign an independent travel waiver and are expected to inform your home institution and emergency contacts on all independent travel outside of Jordan.

Immersion

Volunteering

A range of volunteer options are available to study abroad students, many involving helping others with their English language skills. Previously, students have volunteered with NGOs, a women’s rights organization, educational institutions, and organizations in the for-profit sector. Since 2011, CIEE has partnered with a local organization focused on sustainable tourism initiatives in rural areas in Jordan on the development of an “Adopt a School” program. CIEE dedicates four-to-five weekends each semester to the cleaning, painting, and general maintenance of a school in an underdeveloped community in Jordan, and you may participate in up to three weekends each term. Volunteer service does not receive academic credit and is subject to availability.

Peer Language Tutors

CIEE recruits peer language tutors from the Department of Arabic at the University of Jordan. You are encouraged to meet with your language partners for up to three hours per week to practice conversation, explore the University, and expand your understanding of the host culture.

Language Clubs

CIEE organizes a series of target language clubs that complement students’ instruction in the language. The clubs cover conversation, calligraphy, music, and culture.

Internship

Qualified academic year students have the opportunity to compete for a pre-screened, internship placement with a with a non-governmental organization that may be involved in community development, public opinion, social welfare, women’s rights and political participation, environmental protection, or women’s studies. This option is open to academic year students during their second semester only. Students record their experiences in a journal, which is evaluated monthly during the internship, and complete a 10- to 25-page analytic research paper that uses their experience at the organization to make inferences about issues in the region. In addition, students meet weekly as a group and must complete an assigned reading list. Students are evaluated by the Internship Supervisor and the Resident Director. Approval for participation in the Internship course must be obtained from the resident director and the home institution during the application process.

Language

As you gain proficiency in Arabic, resident staff encourages you to use your language skills in everyday settings. This fosters a learning community that contributes to both Arabic language proficiency and understanding of Jordanian society.

Academics

The CIEE Study Center at the University of Jordan in Amman offers study abroad students a series of specially designed area studies courses in such fields as archaeology, economics, history, international relations, literature, politics, and religion. Area studies courses provide an overview of issues relevant to Jordan and the broader Middle East region. Although there is no language prerequisite, all students are required to take both modern standard Arabic and colloquial Jordanian Arabic while in Amman.

Academic Culture

The study abroad 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, while area studies courses are held in the afternoon. Class attendance is required and unexcused absences count against students’ final grades. Classes tend to be lecture style; however, instructors welcome questions and discussion. Many of the professors that teach CIEE courses have either received degrees in the U.S. or the United Kingdom, or have participated in fellowships abroad and are thus familiar with Western methods of teaching.

CIEE draws its language faculty from the University of Jordan to provide students a comprehensive curriculum focusing on four skill areas: reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. Grammar is taught within these four skills. CIEE students have access to their instructors during regular office hours for individual attention and support. Students also have regular instruction in colloquial Jordanian Arabic in order to enhance their communication skills.

Nature of Classes

Participants take classes with other CIEE study abroad students only.

CIEE Community Language Commitment

As students gain proficiency in Arabic, resident staff encourage them to use their language skills in everyday settings. This fosters a learning community that contributes to both Arabic language proficiency and understanding of Jordanian society.

Grading System

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

Language of Instruction

Arabic
English

Faculty

All courses are taught by faculty members from the University of Jordan, unless otherwise indicated.

Course Description

Program Blog

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