“My name is Jason. I live in the United States, studied as an undergraduate in religion and my graduate degree is in rabbinics. These past four weeks I have been participating in the super-intensive Jordanian Arabic program here in Amman.
From the time I applied for the program, I was warmly welcomed into Study Arabic Global Academy family. Planning my time here was easy and smooth, as were the directions for how to arrive at the school in the Jabal Amman neighborhood of old city of Amman. When I arrived over three weeks ago, I was greeted effusively by fellow students; clearly, the school sets a culture of welcome and kindness for its students that is paradigmatic of the Jordanian culture of hospitality I have experienced in the past, but have experienced deeply and consistently these past few weeks.
My Jordanian Arabic lessons were—as the program is called—super-intensive. My teacher, Duha, did a great job balancing between her lesson plans and the questions that my classmate and I had. Classes include grammar, speaking, listening, vocabulary, and writing exercises. The environment of the school is very positive and kind, a home away from home for those of us from abroad studying there and, it seems, for local Jordanian students who take part in the Center’s programs as well.
Most of my fellow students have been doing significant volunteer work, internships, or research, and it was clear that the administration of the school has made wonderful connections to people in the larger community in Amman and beyond. Some of the wonderful experiences we had as a group were learning how to make stuffed grape leaves at the peak of the grape leaves season, being hosted by a large local family, who welcomed the entire foreign student body into their home for dinner, and seeing the old city and the Al Hussein Mosque with local high schoolers as our guides.
My time here now has been in the season of spring turning to summer, and while you can feel the intensity of the sun during much of the day, I have enjoyed noticing the contrast between the warmth of the day and the cooler nights, often with their gentle winds. The Jordanian hospitality I imagined before I arrived has been met and surpassed at every turn, from people taking an interest in me to cafes encouraging fellow students and me to park ourselves at a table, drink a frozen passion fruit drink or mint lemonade, and study (or relax) for hours. I am already sad that my time here is coming to an end soon, and I hope to return as a volunteer and, with the help of Study Jordanian Arabic School, inshallah, find ways to help support and strengthen Jordanian society.” by: Jason Rodrigues from the United States
