أسرة جديد

I've been living in Amman for a week now, and have had so many new experiences and challenges that it is impossible to document them all here. However, some of the more memorable, important things that have happened in my first week here, is moving in with my host family, getting my semester schedule, and learning the importance of Arabic.

My host family consists of a family of four, a mother, father, and two sons. Both sons are around my age and have been exceptional hosts and translators since I’ve arrived here early this past week. The mother doesn’t speak any English, but is fluent in Arabic and Russian. The father is fluent in Arabic and knows a little bit of English. Both sons are fluent in Arabic and their English is the best in the family, which has been helpful with communication. Language barriers can become difficult and frustrating sometimes; but my experience with this family has been a great comical learning experience.

Professors always talk about the practical use of the material that they are teaching, and usually students ignore it, now I know what they are talking about. I’ve had to pull out all my basic Arabic knowledge to communicate what I want to eat, drink, and do. Communicating with my host family appears easy when I’m out on the street of Amman attempting to navigate myself to and from places. It has been an adventure full of failures and successes, but most importantly learning opportunities.

Semester schedule: I have four classes, 15 credits this semester. Nine credits of which are Arabic language classes, and the final six credits consists of two classes; The Middle East: Alternative Perspectives, and Environment and the Politics of Water.