Information for term Middle East Studies
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenCome to Amman and immerse yourself in Middle Eastern history, culture, politics, and language study at CIEE Amman. You can also immerse yourself in university life by directly enrolling at CIEE’s partner school, Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT). Select coursework across of range of academic areas, in English, along with Arabic language classes matched to your skill level. Meet individuals key to the social fabric of Jordanian society including diplomats, government officials, members of the growing private sector, Jordanian students, and families. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
Follow our Travels:
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ELECT TO DO AN INTERNSHIP
at a local or international NGO or business
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VISIT IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL
and natural sites in Jordan, such as Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and a number of historical biblical sites
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INTERACT WITH LOCAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
and improve your Arabic through a peer language assistant program and cultural activities
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spectator capacity at the Roman Theater
6,000 -
hills form the main cityscape
7 -
visitors per year
2M+
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
Amman has an ancient history and a diverse, vibrant modernity. It is an accessible, cosmopolitan city with numerous museums, art galleries, theaters, not to mention the delicious variety of Arabic food. 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.
You will have every opportunity to immerse yourself in Jordanian culture. Special guest lectures by government officials, activists, and local experts enrich the academic program. You are encouraged to use your Arabic language skills in everyday settings. This 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 up to date on local cultural events, such as conferences, films, and concerts.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
Students enjoy a number of excursions to Jordan’s archaeological, historical, and natural wonders which 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, and 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.
INTERNSHIP
CIEE partners with more than 25 institutions and organizations where students may participate in for-credit internships or volunteer opportunities.
In the past, students have interned at Eco-Peace, Leaders of Tomorrow, the Collateral Repair Project, Generations for Peace, the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan, the Jesuit Refugee Service, and USAID. The experience of working at an internship combined with your studies in Jordan, will offer you unique insight to Jordanian social structure.
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. Or help Jordanians with their English language skills. Students have also found opportunities to engage with Amman-based organizations that work with underserved communities. Volunteering can also serve as a not-for-credit internship.
INTERACT
Through the Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), CIEE students have the option to direct-enroll in a selection of PSUT courses and engage with PSUT students by participating in cultural clubs, sports teams, and general activities organized with the student council. In addition, CIEE has introduced a shadowing program enabling all CIEE students to shadow PSUT students for a day and experience the campus life in Jordan.
Program Blogs
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Daily Life
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HOUSING
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. 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.
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MEALS
Students in homestays generally eat two meals a day with their families and most meals on the weekends. Students are responsible for weekday lunches. Students selecting the apartment option need to budget for all meals, as they are not included in the program fee. 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.
Amman, Jordan Where You'll Study
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A
CIEE AMMAN
Located in one of the older core neighborhoods with easy access to a variety of academic and cultural institutions.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
CIEE’s Middle East Studies program offers study abroad students a series of specially designed area studies courses in economics, history, international relations, environment, literature, politics, regional diplomacy, 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 a pre-approved selection at 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 direct enroll in one of PSUT classes.
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 term will be approximately two weeks after the CIEE program ends. Please check with your enrollment advisor for the exact date and arrangements.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
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.
Program Requirements
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Modern Standard Arabic at the appropriate level
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Colloquial Jordanian Arabic at the appropriate level
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Two or three elective courses. May include one course from a pre-approved selection at PSUT.
Program Credit
Total credit: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits
Course Credit
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CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
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CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours
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Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT) courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 48 contact hours
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 study abroad 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.
Language of Instruction
English
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Course Notes
Please note: If you opt to register for a course at PSUT, the end of term will be approximately two weeks after the CIEE program ends. Please check with your enrollment advisor for the exact date and arrangements.
Spring 2021 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenAcademic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Social Sciences
Host Institution Courses
Click to OpenPrincess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT)
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.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers more than $8 million in 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 at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2021 16 weeks | Nov 1, 2020 | Jan 17, 2021 | May 7, 2021 |
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.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
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
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