Location
  • Jordan
    • Amman
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Subject Areas
Architecture Art History Asian Studies Biology Business Chemistry Computer Science Economics Education European Studies Film Food Science and Nutrition Geography Geology History International Relations Linguistics Literature Mathematics Middle Eastern Studies Museum Studies Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Theater +19

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Language
Arabic

Pricing

Starting Price
$15,975 USD
Price Details
Semester tuition and health insurance are included in the cost. Room/board, books/supplies, travel, visas and personal expenses are not included.
What's Included
Classes Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Accommodation Activities Airfare Meals Transportation Visa
Jan 08, 2020
May 03, 2018

About Program

The Middlebury School in Jordan offers cultural and linguistic immersion through a rigorous curriculum and adherence to the Middlebury Language Pledge. By promising to speak only Arabic while in Amman, students have the best chance of acquiring fluency and actively engaging in the local environment. All coursework is conducted in the host language, and students take their courses in a variety of subjects, from advanced Arabic classes to electives in Middle Eastern Studies.

The program is based at the University of Jordan, Jordan’s oldest public 4-year institution of higher education, established in 1962. With a strong emphasis on research, and a rich background in liberal arts, the University of Jordan is an excellent host for students of all academic backgrounds.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • All course work is conducted entirely in Arabic
  • Students adhere to the Middlebury College Language Pledge
  • Housing with host families
  • Internships for full-year students in their second semester
  • Co-curricular excursions and activities

Related Programs

Program Reviews

9.75 Rating
based on 4 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 100%
  • 7-8 rating 0%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0%
  • Academics 8.5
  • Support 8.8
  • Fun 7.8
  • Housing 8.5
  • Safety 8.8
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Default avatar
Jessica
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Learn Arabic and live in Jordan

I had a really wonderful time studying abroad in Amman with the Middlebury program. I loved traveling around the country and exploring different parts of Jordan outside of the capital. I enjoyed meeting friends from the University of Jordan as well as other students on the program. I wasn't proficient at Arabic when I first arrived in Jordan but improved tremendously over the course of the semester, largely with the help of my professors and the program staff and my host family and friends. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to live in a beautiful and fascinating country the Middle East for a semester! I only wish I had stayed longer.

What would you improve about this program?
The language pledge was a little too strict, in my opinion, but it definitely helped with language acquisition. One of the electives wasn't that interesting or organized, but classes change from semester to semester so it's difficult to judge.
7 people found this review helpful.
Eva
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Middlebury in Jordan

The Middlebury school in Jordan is a fantastic way to learn Arabic and get immersed in Amman! The capital of Jordan isn't a hub for partying or getting lit, but it supplies an incredibly deep and comprehensive view of international aid or security work in the region. Amman has an active ex=pat community, and the intrepid student can meet both locals and foreigners working on the hottest middle east issues of our time. Note that in order to truly enjoy your time on the Middlebury program, you have to really put yourself out there. If you make the most of your opportunities for mentorship, community engagement, and much more, you can find a real space for yourself in this global hub of social change!

What would you improve about this program?
Students who are not committed (to either the language pledge or community immersion) can ruin their own experience, and can isolate others from potential learning. The administration is doing very well, but can yet improve, in encouraging those students to not come on the program if they are not ready for it, or to excel and push past their comfort zone when they're here.
7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ian
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

A Challenging but Fun Adventure

When you couple Amman's charming dysfunction with the difficulty of the Arabic language pledge, finding your way in this program is a challenge, but rewarding adventure. Seeing your learning/language skills progress throughout the semester is an exercise in patience and determination. The teachers are excellent (especially Fusha and Aamiya), Middlebury staff is great, and Jordan language partners/mentors are invested in befriending their American counterparts.

Students live in homestays for their 1st semester, which was by far the most fun/rewarding experience. I lucked out by having the best host mom, who became a close friend, but others might not have lucked out as I did.

Emphasis on getting out of the "Middlebury bubble" is strong, important, and one of the strongest aspects of the experience. Academically, students have project week, investing in a pertinent Jordanian topic, and often have assignments where they must interact with Jordanians. "Days of exploration" encourage students to get out and know Jordan. Also, the program staff creates a culture where exploration in Amman and relationship building with non-native English speakers is encouraged.

What would you improve about this program?
Other people did not have as positive relationship with their home stays as I did.

I think the Middlebury program needs to better communicate expectations about and the rigor of the program (particularly with respect to the Language pledge) to non-Middlebury students.
7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Allison
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved My Experience at Middlebury Jordan!

This is the best study abroad program in Jordan if you want to learn Arabic. Immersion really helps with your conversation skills and also your confidence. The staff was great and they will help you with anything, but you do have to take initiative and ask questions. One of my favorite parts of the program was the weekend trips; we explored some really amazing places in Jordan from Wadi Rum in the south to Aljoun in the north. Academics were challenging because they were all taught in Arabic, but I preferred that. If you get a chance, take Yousef Hamdan's literature class. At once the hardest and most rewarding part of the program for myself.

What would you improve about this program?
There are some areas where I felt like the program could have had a little more oversight. I wish they had checked in with us and the host families on a regular basis, because that was the area where I and a lot of students had the most issues. Same with the community engagement activities - because they are required and also a very uncomfortable part of your first few weeks, I would have appreciated it if the program's staff had been with us throughout our community engagement to guide us through. Some of us never really got the hang of it on our own.
7 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers