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Going forward in my language studies in undergrad, I will not only have a linguistic understanding in my language classes, but a cultural understanding as well.
Chioma Ibeku, Middlebury School in Jordan (Fall 2024)
What was your favorite memory from your study away experience?
I don’t have one favorite memory but my favorite memories in general were the independent things I did outside my program. I would go to university events, like the basketball games, or activities in the city, like dabke class, or take the bus to the Friday market with a local friend. This really made me feel confident in myself and my abilities to live in the city without needing much support from my program.
I also feel like I was able to experience the country directly and authentically when I took time away from the other American study abroad students. My top advice for others thinking of studying abroad in Jordan is to make your experience your own, and not tied to your program/the people in your program.
Where was your favorite place to go in Jordan?
My favorite place to go in Amman was definitely Wast Al-Balad. I loved this side of Amman because it’s the older side of Amman, and its less concerned with proximity to Western lifestyles. I also felt less like a fish out of water because there were a lot of migrant workers, refugees, and Black Africans in this part of the city. If you are feeling out of place because of any aspect of your identity in Jordan (or any other country), I would recommend finding the little pockets where you feel comfortable in.
Group dinner at a Yemeni restaurant after my program's Exploration Club.
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We traveled to Jerash, in the north of Jordan, to visit a nature reserve!
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Here I am at a rock concert (that girl fr) in ancient Roman ruins??!!!
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My program group & some Jordanian students decided to have a picnic in Sports City Amman, a popular hangout spot for youth in the city.
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If you're a nature lover, you will love Jordan. Here I am at a beautiful oasis in Wadi Rum
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Why did you decide to do the Middlebury School in Jordan?
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I decided to do this program because the Middlebury School in Jordan program is known for how well they improve students’ language abilities. And my main goal in study abroad was to have proficiency in the Arabic spoken in the Levant. After having completed this program, I would say that you improve based on how much effort you put into language practice. Because I made language practice a priority of mine throughout my time in Jordan, I feel like I improved a lot.
How will this program play into the rest of your undergraduate experience?
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Going forward in my language studies in undergrad, I will not only have a linguistic understanding in my language classes, but a cultural understanding as well. I feel as though what I learn will be rooted in lived experience – my experience, as opposed to relying on a professor’s experience in the target country.
What effect did this program have on your career interests after graduation?
Study abroad absolutely had an effect on the post graduate options available to me. After study abroad, I am more open to the concept of living and working in an Arabic-speaking country in the future. And I am more confident that my language skills will allow me to do so. But also, regardless of whether I decide to pursue this or not, I feel as though I now have roots planted in the region (Al-Sham) which has opened my mind in general even beyond career goals to a different way of living.
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What advice do you have for other students considering the Middlebury School in Jordan?
I would definitely say that you should do the program. Like I said before, it will open up your mind to a new culture and lifestyle. And all the experiences I had in this program were really great teachers, both the good and the bad experiences. This trip also made me rethink questions related to identity, as being a woman, Black, and African, was challenging. So, I know its cliche, but I really did learn a lot about others and about myself in this trip. I am so glad I did it and grateful to the people I met that made this trip so special. I would highly recommend others to pursue this trip as well.