Middle East Studies
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
CIEE Amman offers various housing options, including homestays or shared apartments, located in neighborhoods with convenient access to the center of Amman. Homestays are situated in different parts of the city and vary in distance from CIEE Amman. Apartments are roughly 15 minutes from downtown and other lively parts of the city but are a bit further from CIEE Amman (under 60 minutes).
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay or a single or double-room apartment. Homestays boast a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family. In some cases, a suitable homestay may not be available for every interested student and therefore some students will be placed in an apartment. Single-room apartments are modest in size, featuring fewer amenities and a charming kitchenette. Double-room apartments offer a larger living room, a shared bathroom, and a full-size kitchen.
MEALS
Homestay: Students in homestays generally eat two meals a day with their families, and most meals on weekends.
Student Apartments: Students selecting the apartment option must budget for all meals, as they are not included in the program fee.
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.
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.
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
Academic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Social Sciences
Academic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Social Sciences
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 & 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.
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 | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,850 | |
| Program Fall 2024 16 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,850 | |
| Program Fall 2023 16 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $18,950 |
| Program Academic year 2023-2024 37 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $37,805 |
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 = $19,850Estimated 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 = $250†††
Total Costs = $3,420Financial 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.
*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 = $19,850Estimated 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 = $250†††
Other = $30††††
Total Costs = $3,450Financial 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.
*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.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $16,153**
Housing = $2,300
Insurance = $197
Total Fees = $18,950Estimated 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 = $2,000†
International Airfare = $1,200††
Local Transportation = $1,200
Books & Supplies = $150
Visa Fees = $60
Personal expenses = $1,000†††
Other = $30††††
Total Costs = $5,640Financial 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.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
†for students in apartments; homestay students should budget $1200 for meals
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††If you are planning an independent study then budget more for that depending on your plans
††††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.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $32,258**
Housing = $5,050
Insurance = $197
Total Fees = $37,805Estimated 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 = $2,560†
International Airfare = $1,200††
Local Transportation = $2,400
Books & Supplies = $300
Visa Fees = $60
Personal expenses = $1,250†††
Other = $30††††
Expenses during break = $1,000
Total Costs = $8,800Financial 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.
*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
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
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
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.
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