“Hello! My name is Stephanie Carpenter, and I am from Germany and England. I am currently doing a four-year master’s degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies, and I came to Study Jordanian Arabic School in Amman to improve my Jordanian Arabic dialect (language skills).
I did a lot of research to find a course that suited me and found that Study Jordanian Arabic School not only gave a wide variety of options in their courses but also offered flexibility within their curriculum.
Once I found the center, I was determined to go, and it was the best decision I made to improve my Arabic.
I had already studied Jordanian Arabic for one year, and I was unsure if the classes would match my level, but my teacher, Mahmoud, and my class suited me perfectly. And even though I was with the Center for a short time, I learned a lot and laughed a lot in my classes. Every morning, I had Jordanian Arabic from 8:30-12 with breaks for food and coffee, and the afternoons were filled with trips to the city of Amman.
We also did some trips, and one of them was to the Old City of Amman which was incredible to see firsthand. In between the big trips, we also had some lovely events at the center, including traditional Jordanian music and Maqloubah for dinner. This was a lovely way to chat with others in different programs.
One of the things I loved most about the Center is the kindness and friendliness of the staff, teachers, and students which gives such a welcoming atmosphere. But everyone you meet in Jordan is extremely polite and willing to help whether you are speaking English or Arabic. I’ve never felt unsafe or insecure during my time here and I couldn’t recommend coming to Amman enough.
Additionally, staying with a host family was such a unique way of getting to know the food and culture of Jordan. I can honestly say from the first day I felt extremely at home and very comfortable, which is very important when travelling as a solo woman. I can’t wait to come back again to Amman and to the center, and I will definitely be staying for longer next time!
Pros
- Excellent teaching
- experiencing new culture, food, and meeting some amazing people
- Welcoming community
Cons
- I wouldn’t change a thing!”
by: Stephanie Carpenter, from Germany and England
