When people discuss the Middle East, it comes with a negative reputation for being unsafe, anti-american, and hostile.
I have experienced the exact opposite of that from my few days here. It amazes me how helpful, friendly, and courteous the Jordanian citizens have been. Here in Amman, I have felt 100% safe all the time. This has eased my transition into this country immensely.
This week is full of information, orientation, and exploring. Tomorrow night I move in with my host family, the following day I take my Arabic placement exam, and then my first classes begin on Sunday. I have been staying in hotels, eating at restaurants, and have been living the life of a tourist since I left Michigan; this is all about to change rapidly.
In my mind, studying abroad isn't about being a tourist in a town, it's about assimilating into an environment that is different from what we are used to in the United States. My goal is to go from an outsider looking in, to an insider looking out.
In this following semester I will judge my success from how I transition from a tourist to becoming a self efficient member of Jordanian society.
I have experienced the exact opposite of that from my few days here. It amazes me how helpful, friendly, and courteous the Jordanian citizens have been. Here in Amman, I have felt 100% safe all the time. This has eased my transition into this country immensely.
This week is full of information, orientation, and exploring. Tomorrow night I move in with my host family, the following day I take my Arabic placement exam, and then my first classes begin on Sunday. I have been staying in hotels, eating at restaurants, and have been living the life of a tourist since I left Michigan; this is all about to change rapidly.
In my mind, studying abroad isn't about being a tourist in a town, it's about assimilating into an environment that is different from what we are used to in the United States. My goal is to go from an outsider looking in, to an insider looking out.
In this following semester I will judge my success from how I transition from a tourist to becoming a self efficient member of Jordanian society.
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