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My Arabic and my confidence have grown exponentially in just four months.
Sierra Remington, Middlebury in Jordan (Fall 2025)
What was your favorite excursion that you went on?
My favorite excursion was our program trip to Wadi Rum! We left Amman really early and then had a four-hour drive. We stopped at two really cool rest areas before getting in the trucks that took us through the desert. We drove around and played in the sand, and watched the sunset, which was a BEAUTIFUL purple and pink. They served us traditional Arabic coffee and biscuits while we were waiting.
After that, we headed to the Bedouin camp we were staying in, had a communal dinner, and played some games. Lastly, we watched the stars because there are barely any lights in Wadi Rum, so it was amazing.
The next day, most of us did a hike to the tallest mountain in Jordan. It was mostly all uphill, so pretty challenging, but definitely worth it and we all got a lot closer. We had some tea again at the end, then headed back to the camp to gather our stuff and head home.
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What is your favorite memory from your study away experience?
My favorite memory is organizing a trip to Wadi Mujib with all the people on the program. This was my third time in Jordan, and I had never done it, and it was such a cool experience. It was within the first month of the program, so we didn’t know each other very well, but it was such a great way to bond. The canyon was super picturesque, and it was such a unique experience I will never forget.
Dabke dancing night at a community gathering spot, "Jadal".
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Lunch at Makmoura Shehnaz Guesthouse during orientation.
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Outside the language center.
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Initiation for my dorm! Every year, the new residents of the dorm come together to put on a play and dance.
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Palestinian dance group Alhannouneh.
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Why did you decide to do this program?
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I decided to do this program because I lived in the Middle East my whole life and learned Arabic all through school, but I felt like I had plateaued with my Arabic knowledge for some time.
The Language Pledge that Middlebury does with its language programs was very attractive, but daunting at the same time for me. I’m so happy I ended up doing it, though, because my Arabic and my confidence have grown exponentially in just four months.
I also really wanted to engage with Arabic culture, which I felt quite disconnected from, despite living my whole life in the region. The homestay definitely helped me with that, and they were a great resource for everything in Jordan.
What advice do you have for other students considering this program?
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My advice for anyone considering this program is to take that jump to make your Arabic better, no matter how daunting it feels. It will be the best thing for your language improvement - and personal improvement, because you have to be vulnerable. When you’re in Jordan, make a list of all of the things you want to do so that you don’t have any regrets when you leave.
How did this program affect your next steps after graduation?
The program has a mandatory volunteering aspect, and before I even saw the options they had, I knew I wanted to do something medically-related, because I am pre-health. I have always wanted to use my Arabic in the US to help refugees or immigrants medically, and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to build my Arabic medical knowledge.
Through a family connection, I was able to volunteer with a top gastroenterologist in Jordan, Dr. Mohammed Rashid. Through this volunteering, I was able to watch procedures, scribe while translating during patient appointments, help with charting, and learned how to conduct proper patient care and interactions. This volunteering was also very enlightening to see the similarities and differences between medicine in Jordan and the US. It reignited my passion to continue practicing my Arabic outside of Jordan, working towards my original goal.