Year abroad: Jordan

How did you feel arriving in Amman?

Disorientated! It was pitch black but really hot. I hadn’t spoken Arabic for four months, since my summer exams, and couldn’t understand any of the signs, until I realised they were all written in English underneath! I was mainly excited about starting my year abroad though.

How would you describe the quality of teaching? 

The teaching is very different to Manchester; our class is very small, with only five students. I have learnt a lot but you can’t get away with not doing your homework and hoping to hide at the back of the class! In Manchester I study cultural and history modules alongside the language but here it’s just language which can get a bit much sometimes, but thankfully we get three day weekends.

Have you found it difficult to adapt to the culture?

Jordan, and particularly Amman, is very Westernised, but still very different to home. The first thing that I noticed was all the men honk their car horns at you when you walk down the street. Most people are very friendly though and the food is amazing!

What has been the highlight of your year abroad so far?

The highlight so far has been going to Wadi Rum when we had a holiday for Eid Al-Adha. Wadi Rum is a massive desert in the south of Jordan. As far as you can see is sand and rocks and blue sky. It was boiling hot during the day but freezing at night, me and my friends all had to snuggle together in one bed. We rode camels too which was a lot of fun, if a bit scary at first!

Why do you think it’s important for a student to have a year abroad?

I think everyone should do a year abroad. You can never really learn about another culture until you live there. You also learn so much about yourself. I’m only two months into my year abroad and I’ve already met so many kind and interesting people. I’m having so much fun but the time is going so quickly!