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Written by Brandon Bishop (Washington & Lee College), Pupil Correspondent for CET Jordan, Summer season 2023
Earlier than departing for Jordan, I truthfully wasn’t positive what to anticipate. I’ve had conversations with my Arabic professor and CET alumni from my college, alongside studying varied weblog posts, however no quantity of preparation might really put together me for a way completely different Jordan is than something I had skilled previously. Earlier than Jordan, my solely worldwide experiences had been in Northern Europe, which continues to be vastly completely different from the US, however nonetheless nothing like Jordan. Listed here are 5 issues which have stunned me about learning in Amman, Jordan.
The Individuals
The folks in Jordan are nicer than wherever else I’ve been. I grew up within the Midwest, which is thought for “Midwest good.” Regardless, the kindness of Jordanians has stunned me. To follow my Arabic, I generally strike up conversations with taxi drivers or Uber drivers, shopkeepers, and customarily simply new folks I meet. Generally I’m met with, “Wow! Your Arabic is so good,” and questions on why I selected to review Arabic. A few of the greatest eating places I’ve been to I’ve discovered about from conversing with Jordanians. Moreover, persons are generally eager about studying extra concerning the US. I’ve had conversations about variations between universities within the US and Jordan, the worth variations, and even what number of completely different cultures there are throughout the US.
Me and my language companion, a neighborhood Jordanian
The Costs
I knew the costs could be far cheaper than the US equal– however I didn’t anticipate simply how a lot. To save cash, I deliberate to cook dinner so much and infrequently eat at eating places or order supply. Whereas grocery buying is cheaper, it’s nonetheless not very costly to eat at eating places or ordering supply. Within the US, you’ll be able to very not often discover costs beneath $15 for a sit-down restaurant. Nevertheless, in Jordan, it’s fairly troublesome to spend greater than 5 JOD, or about $7. Due to our busy schedules, many college students will usually seize lunch from a stand on the road (which generally comes out to about 1 JOD). My favourite spot for lunch is a falafel stand close to the CET Middle, the place a falafel sandwich prices simply 0.65 JOD. For dinner, my roommate and I often cook dinner, order supply, or go to a restaurant with our associates.
The menu at my favourite falafel stand
The Streets
As snug as I’m with the hustle and bustle of a big metropolis, the streets of Amman had been vastly completely different than I anticipated. Because of my expertise in Northern Europe, I used to be used to very pedestrian-friendly streets. Nevertheless, Amman is precisely the other. It’s powerful to stroll across the metropolis, and oftentimes, I resort to strolling on the street because the sidewalks are coated with brief timber, bushes, and uneven bricks. Moreover, the streets are at all times filled with vehicles, with numerous honking and tight areas.
The view of a avenue near my condo
The Meals
Wow! I completely love the meals right here in Jordan. Naturally, you could have all the things Jordanian and Center Jap, like hummus, falafel, knaffeh, shawarma, and mansaf. Nevertheless, there’s a lot extra selection obtainable than I anticipated. In fact, you could have your large chains like Starbucks, McDonald’s, and KFC to present you a style of dwelling. Nevertheless, there are additionally loads of burger joints, pizza retailers, pasta eating places, and extra. One factor to notice, nonetheless, is overseas delicacies is usually barely costlier than going to a conventional restaurant.
Alongside the huge selection, one factor that stunned me about Jordan is the restaurant and café tradition. Bread is served without spending a dime with almost each meal, whether or not you ordered kebab, mansaf, hummus, or one thing else. Alongside a basket of bread are sometimes some greens, akin to pickles, pickled carrots, and celery. One factor that stunned many individuals was the requirement to pay for water– nonetheless, it’s because faucet water isn’t secure to drink, so you should drink bottled mineral water (which continues to be less expensive than within the US).
The meals unfold at our CET welcome dinner
Moreover, café tradition is vastly completely different than within the US. When you have some similarities, like cafés being a typical research spot, there are additionally variations. When going to a café, you’ll usually discover decks of playing cards and video games being performed. Moreover, many individuals will likely be smoking shisha, or hookah. Cafés listed below are way more social gathering locations than again dwelling within the US– and I adore it.
The Shops
One factor that drastically stunned me about Amman was the eternal presence of mall tradition. There are tons of malls throughout Amman, and several other are shut to one another. If you go to the mall, there are such a lot of folks and shops open – a lot opposite to the US. Moreover, there are tons of fruit and vegetable shops on each nook (خضرجي). These shops are by far the most effective place to get fruit and greens, as they’re the most affordable and infrequently have the freshest produce.
Though many extra issues stunned me about Amman than I might put in a single weblog put up, these had been the 5 that stunned me essentially the most. All this being stated, nonetheless, the cultural variations are why I really like and would extremely advocate learning overseas in Jordan. I hope this weblog put up helps for those who’re contemplating learning in Amman.
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