CIEE Language and Culture

» General Information

Location:

Amman, Jordan (population: 2.5 million)

Description:

This program is designed for students who have an interest in Jordan and the Middle East. Courses are offered in the areas of Arabic language, anthropology, history, economics, literature, religion, archaeology, environment, political science, and the media. This program is very suitable for a student who would like to do volunteer work or an internship.

Terms:

Fall Semester (Fall Quarter), Spring Semester (Winter/Spring Quarters), Full Year

Sponsor:

CIEE

Website:

CIEE Language and Culture


» Other Programs in Jordan

Language Requirements

None, however, students are required to take an Arabic language course or one regular course taught in Arabic.

Academic Specialties

Middle East Studies, Economics, History, International Studies, Comparative Literary Studies, Religion, Sociology, Gender Studies, Political Science, Anthropology

Course Type

Students attend Arabic language courses five days per week in the morning, while area studies courses are held in the afternoon. Area studies classes are relatively small, and lectures tend to be the method of teaching, however instructors welcome questions and discussion.

CIEE requires that all participants enroll in the following courses:

  • Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) – 6 credits
  • Colloquial Jordanian Arabic – 3 credits
  • 2 CIEE Area Studies Courses or one Area Studies Course and an internship – 6 credits

Additional Information

  • Community involvement through volunteer opportunities.
  • Field trips to important archeological and natural sites in Jordan including Petra, Wadi Rum, and Jerash, a one-day trip to archaeological sites in the north of Jordan, and a camping trip in one of the Kingdom’s nature reserves.
  • Cultural and educational activities such as visits to museums, theaters, and galleries.
  • For-credit internships: Interested students are placed in pre-screened internship opportunities with a non-governmental organization which may be involved in community development, public opinion, social welfare, women’s rights and political participation, environmental protection, or women’s studies.

Housing

Students have the option of living with a Jordanian host family or in an apartment with other CIEE program participants. While almost every student requesting a homestay is placed in one, in rare cases a suitable homestay may not be possible. Homestay families provide two meals per day during the week and three meals per day on weekends. Lunch is at the student’s expense.

Program Costs

TBA

Approximate Program Size

15-20 students

Application Requirements

Prior to receiving an application, all Northwestern students must complete the following steps:
  1. Complete the mandatory Study Abroad 101 Quiz on Blackboard. Call 847-467-6400 or e-mail studyabroad@northwestern.edu (include your name and netID) to register for this quiz.
  2. After recieving a score of 90% or above, students can pick up the Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad at the Study Abroad Office. This application it is not available online.
Northwestern students must complete two applications for this program:
  1. CIEE application, available on the CIEE web site. It is generally due March 15th for fall semester/full year and October 15th for spring semester, but consult CIEE's web site for the most recent deadlines.
  2. Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad.

Contact Returnees

As this is a newly affiliated program, Northwestern's first returnees will return to campus in 2010. Please email Michelle Gere for more information about the program.