Programs by Region

Amman, Jordan

Program Provider: CIEE

Program Site: The University of Jordan, founded in 1962, has a diverse student body of nearly 35,000, including 1,800 international students.

Duration: Fall, Spring, or Year. Fall semester runs from late August to mid December. Spring semester runs from late January to late May.

Description: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which once captivated ancient travelers, continues to enthrall a whole new generation as a modern, vibrant nation. From the ancient stone city of Petra to the teeming center of urban Amman, Jordan is a unique destination offering fascinating sights and a prime location at the crossroads of the Middle East. Amman is a city of over two million draped over nineteen hills, with ancient ruins that dominate the downtown skyline. CIEE Jordan provides a challenging academic program combined with in-country cultural experience and intensive Arabic study. Students gain a greater understanding of the Middle East, with specific emphasis on the Jordanian perspective and experience.

Academics: Participants take classes with other CIEE students only. All students take six units of Modern Standard Arabic and three units of Colloquial Jordanian Arabic. In addition, students take two 3-unit area studies courses taught in English. Courses include Archaeological Survey of Jordan, Economic Transformations of the Middle East, Modern History of Jordan and the Middle East, America and the Arabs, International Relations and Diplomacy in the Middle East, Paths to Peace in the Middle East, Seminar on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Contemporary Arab Women Writers, Introduction to Islam, Islam in the Modern Context, and Gender and Equality in the Arab World.

Course load and Credit: Students take four courses and earn 15 USC units per semester.

Accommodations: There are two housing options: homestay or shared students apartments. The off-campus apartments are near campus, and are shared by CIEE program participants. Students may also choose a homestay with a Jordanian family, which provides an excellent opportunity for immersion into the local culture. Students who choose this option are provided two meals a day during the week and three meals a day on weekends.

Activities and Other Program Features: CIEE begins the program with a four-day orientation. The program includes a two-day trip to Petra and Wadi Rum, a one-day trip to archaeological sites in the north of Jordan and a camping trip in one of Jordan's spectacular nature reserves. There are many volunteer opportunities available in Amman. Students in the past have worked with NGOs and women's rights organizations and have tutored local schoolchildren. CIEE arranges Peer Language Tutors from the Department of Arabic, and students are encouraged to meet with them for up to three hours per week. CIEE organizes a series of Arabic clubs to complement language instruction and which cover conversation, poetry, dance, music, and calligraphy.

Eligibility: Minimum 3.0 GPA and two semesters of college-level Arabic (or the equivalent).

Estimated Semester Cost:
Tuition...............................$12,976
Additional Expenses*............$7,613
Total..................................$20,589

Cost Updated: 3/31/09

Text Updated: 12/02/08

*Additional expenses include estimated costs for airfare, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and personal expenses (which can vary greatly from student to student). USC financial aid, scholarships, and tuition remission may be applied to program costs. Please visit the Office of Overseas Studies for more detailed cost information.

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