"How I Prepared for Study Abroad: Things to think about before you leave" by Sela Dombrower
There are two extremes of study abroad students: those who thrive off of the thrill of uncertainty and those who need the itinerary days in advance. Most people are in between. When I was getting ready for Jordan, I knew there was only a certain amount I could prepare for the actual experience of arriving and living in a foreign country. There came a point when I had to let go and trust the process of jumping in.
Amideast’s materials are a good foundation for preparing, and I highly encourage you to explore them fully; they have resources on everything from harassment to travel credit cards to book recommendations. For those looking for more and are unsure where to start, here’s a glimpse of what I’ve learned as well as some resources that helped me.
To read…
A Leap of Faith by Queen Noor
This is an autobiography—Queen Noor was the wife of late King Hussein of Jordan. Her story is eye-opening because she was born and raised in America before reconnecting with her roots in the Middle East; she bridges Western and Middle Eastern perspectives, and explains many cultural and historical events that have had significant place in her life.
The Language of Baklava by Diana Abu Jaber
This is a food memoir about growing up Arab-American. The author is Jordanian-American and describes the emotional splitness of feeling caught in between two countries, cultures, and languages. I had so much fun reading this book; it is pragmatic and funny, and while the Amman she describes is no longer exactly the Amman of today—the city is always growing—it’s a very personal perspective on Jordanian culture. The book also contains recipes from her father if you want to start your Jordanian food journey!
To watch…
Theeb (2014)
This movie is about a young Bedouin boy who follows his brother into the desert to help a British man. The movie, set in the Ottoman Empire, shows the dynamics of cultural values, technology and colonialism. While driving through Jordan with my cohort, we saw the railroad built by the Turks to help pilgrims reach Mecca—the movie shows how this railroad affected Bedouin life. It is beautiful and poignant. You will probably cry.
Captain Abu Raed
This Jordanian film is about a janitor who lives by himself in Amman and begins to tell the neighborhood children stories about the world. He ultimately tries to show that sometimes the truth is less important than how stories can empower people to change their lives. The movie touches on themes of sacrifice, loss and friendship as well. This is also a great way to practice your Arabic!
Mummy in Amman
This is a Youtube channel by a British expat living in Amman. She offers a valuable perspective on what it’s like to live in the country as a foreigner, including videos about culture shock.
Packing…
I read a lot of travel blogs on what to wear in Jordan, and they generally echoed Amideast’s guidelines: avoid bare shoulders and knees, low-cut shirts and crop tops. The consensus tends to be to err on the side of caution until you get a feel for where you can wear what. Also keep in mind, clothing-related or not, that as a foreigner there are more eyes on you, so even if you “do what locals do” you will likely have different experiences. There is no dress code; like everywhere, there are standards and cultural norms, and following these can help you feel more comfortable.
Other tips…keep in mind that Amman’s houses are built to keep out the heat. Many houses do not have AC or central heating. During the winter it may be colder inside than you’re used to. Instagram and Pinterest are also great places to find style inspiration before traveling.
As for packing in general, there are so many malls in Amman! You can pack pencils and notebooks if you want, but these things are easily available. City Mall’s supermarket is an easy place to get supplies, for instance. The things you do need to bring are textbooks and tampons.
Money while traveling…
Research your credit card company! Banks charge different fees for ATM withdrawals and this can add up. You may consider opening up an account with a bank or company that has a travel credit card or that reimburses you for ATM withdrawal costs. Many ATMS that are available in the US are not available in Jordan, which means you have to pay a withdrawal fee on top of a foreign transaction fee. A way to minimize this is also to withdraw large amounts of cash less often.
Often you will have to call or register your card online to let your bank/company know you’ll be abroad. I suggest having a couple cards with you while traveling, in case one gets declined. Keep in mind that local or smaller markets are largely cash-based, though, so it’s important to have dinars on hand. It’s also often expensive to exchange money at the airport; you may want to do this at your bank a few weeks before you leave. I got dinars before leaving the US, which made things easier in my first few weeks.
Data and phones…
Some of my friends purchased international phone plans before arriving. There are also some international apps you can research and plans available for purchase upon arrival. My host family helped me get an internet brick, which I registered with Zain, one of two internet providers in Jordan. Some of my friends also added Zain data to their SIM card. Making sure you have enough data is important if you need to use maps or order an Uber; most people don’t use addresses in Jordan, so you need to give directions even if you take a taxi. There are Zain and Orange stores around Amman to set up data within your first couple of weeks.
This is a quick snapshot of how I prepared for study abroad. I encourage you to do as much research as you can, and know that you will be learning the whole time you are abroad, from the students in your cohort, Amideast staff, your host families, and strangers. Part of study abroad is learning how to adapt and respond in situations where you are totally unprepared. So be kind to yourself as you figure things out, and until then—happy packing!
Sela Dombrower is a junior at Lawrence University and is studying abroad on the Amideast Area and Arabic Language Studies Program in Amman, Jordan this fall 2022.
