Hidden libraries and Indiana Jones impersonations await—study abroad in Jordan!
Study abroad in Jordan with these top programs—from Arabic focused to summer options and more. Sandwiched between Syria, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Iraq is Jordan, a country known in the Middle East as an oasis of peace and stability.
While in studying abroad in Jordan, you’ll immerse yourself in the Arabic language while learning about and experiencing Middle Eastern politics first hand. Jordan has a unique mix of Western liberalism and Middle Eastern traditions and conservatism making it the perfect primer for students wanting to learn about the region.
Amman—where most Jordan study abroad programs are based—is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities and is home to Roman ruins along with artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic Period.
In between filling up on Jordanian staples like mansaf, shawarma and falafel you’ll be able to take a trip down to iconic sites including Petra and Wadi Rum, located in the south of Jordan.
In a region with a reputation often marred by conflict, Jordan is a country where you’ll be able to look beyond the headlines and experience what life is really like in the Middle East. Whether you want to become fluent in Arabic or simply experience the Middle Eastern hospitality, Jordan is the place to study abroad.
Here are some of the top Arabic study abroad programs (and more) in Jordan. But first:
What makes these the “best?”
Life definitely won’t souk in Jordan.
Before we give you the scoop on the best opportunities, here’s why they nabbed a spot on our list:
- Raving reviews. You know a study abroad program in Jordan is killin’ it when 95 percent of their former alumni rate a five star experience!
- Pre-departure support. Preparing to study abroad can be stressful; these organizations take your questions and concerns seriously.
- On-the-ground support. You won’t get stranded abroad with these organizations—in a souk, in the dead sea, or anywhere!
- Alumni resources. Continue building on your international education experiences with established networks and continued opportunities for career guidance and growth!
Top programs in Jordan
1. School for International Training (SIT)
If you want to be truly immersed in the Jordanian culture, SIT Study Abroad is for you. SIT Jordan: Geopolitics, International Relations, and the Future of the Middle East is a 16-credit semester long program. Students have the option of taking either 6 or 3 credits of Arabic which includes both Fusha (classical) and Ammiya (colloquial) Arabic.
The 4-credit Geopolitics course is taught by a different guest lecturer every week, with lecturers ranging from Jordanian professors frequently seen on Jordanian TV to the former Jordanian prime minister. Throughout the program there are excursions to central, southern and northern Jordan including to Petra and the Dead Sea, and there is an all-expenses-paid week-long trip to the United Arab Emirates where students will be able to compare the geopolitical situation in the Gulf to that of Jordan.
All SIT students are placed in homestays with local Jordanian families giving students the opportunity to practice the Arabic they learned in the classroom at home. All meals except for lunches are included. At the end of their study abroad in Jordan program, there is an internship component where students will have the opportunity to work at local NGOs, or on research of their choosing. The program is highly structured and close knit, with a maximum of 30 students and accessible program staff.
2. CIEE
The Middle East Studies program by CIEE is based in the heart of Amman. CIEE students have the option of living with a local homestay family or in an apartment with other CIEE students. For coursework, CIEE students take 9 credits of Arabic: 6 of Modern Standard Arabic and 3 of Colloquial Jordanian Arabic. Additionally there are a number of elective courses to choose from such as "Seminar on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict" and “Development Economics in the Middle East”.
During the program students will visit Wadi Rum, Petra and other iconic Jordanian sites. Volunteering plays a major role in the Middle East Studies program and CIEE students get to paint and renovate an elementary school as well as engage with local NGOs.
3. Middlebury
If you are a high intermediate or advanced Arabic language student looking to make rapid gains towards fluency, the Middlebury School in Jordan program is a great choice. The program is administered by Middlebury College in Vermont in partnership with the University of Jordan and is open to students of all universities. All coursework is conducted entirely in Arabic and students take both Modern Standard Arabic and Jordanian Colloquial Arabic as well as two elective courses.
Middlebury School in Jordan students also have the option of interning while studying abroad or conducting independent research. All students in their first semester in Jordan are required to live in a homestay, which is great for adjust to the Jordanian culture and fully immersing in the language. Students who are studying abroad for a year have the option to live at in an apartment for their second semester.
4. University of Jordan
The University of Jordan, founded in 1962, is the leading university in Jordan. For the most adventurous students, you can apply directly with the University of Jordan to be a foreign exchange student. As an exchange student, you’ll have the most independence and opportunities to mix with local Jordanians. The University of Jordan has 78 undergraduate programs and foreign students have the same opportunity as local students to take courses which interest them.
Make sure your Arabic language skills are at a high level, though—all classes will be taught entirely in Arabic. The university has an office of foreign student’s affairs to help foreign students adjust to the Jordanian college life. The office also offers cultural and tourism trips to various archeological sites and landmarks including Aqaba and Petra. Students can live in the dorms on campus or at an apartment off campus.
- Where: Amman
- When: Spring, Fall
- Cost: ~$200 per credit hour (tuition is calculated by credit hour and depends on major)
- More info: More program info
5. Qasid
If you want your study abroad in Jordan to focus heavily on Arabic acquisition, then this program is for you. The Qasid Arabic Institute is a language school located in Amman that teaches Arabic exclusively. Ideal for students who want to focus solely on learning Arabic, what sets Qasid apart from other programs is their language instruction methodology, which has a focus on vocabulary and conversation skills over the intricacies of Arabic grammar. The program is intensive—classes in the Fall and Spring semesters are three hours per day, five days per week. Qasid also offers Arabic study abroad summer programs where students can complete one academic year of Arabic in nine weeks. Class sizes are small, with 10 students or less, which is ideal for language learning—it’s hard to find better Arabic study abroad programs!
Students have the option to go down either the Classical Arabic or Modern Standard Arabic track. Not included in the main program are supplementary courses on Ammiya (the Jordanian dialect), Tajwid (proper Arabic pronunciation), Arabic calligraphy and Arab cooking. Students can also choose between Qasid’s housing, which is separate from tuition costs, or independent housing.
Qasid is fully accredited and students can transfer course credits to their home institution directly. If you want to nail your American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), taking classes at Qasid is your best bet.
- Where: Amman
- When: Fall, Spring, Winter, Summer
- Cost: ~$2600 per term
- More info: Read Qasid program reviews
6. AMIDEAST Jordan
Do you want the language teaching expertise of the Qasid Arabic Institute, but also want the structure of a full study abroad program like SIT or CIEE? If so, then AMIDEAST might be for you. AMIDEAST is a study abroad program in Jordan that partners with Qasid to teach their Arabic courses and also provides students with the opportunity to take area studies courses, places students in homestays and includes excursions to sites like Petra and Ajloun. AMIDEAST also has an elective course titled “Media Arabic”, which is “designed to assist students to read, listen, and understand news around the Arab world”—the perfect for any Middle East news junkie. The program has 38 courses for students to choose from, with courses on religion, history, anthropology and even art. Students can take anywhere between 14-17 credit hours. AMIDEAST has a weeklong orientation period ensuring that all students are fully prepared for their semester of study abroad in Jordan.
Explore ALL the Ways to Study Abroad in Jordan
Study abroad in Jordan & live your best life
A little desert for dessert?
Nothing will improve your Arabic speaking abilities quite like being fully immersed in the language. And nothing will increase your knowledge of the Middle East quite like living there. By studying abroad in Jordan, you’ll have unforgettable experiences while adding some impressive lines to your resume.
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