Introducing Fall Blogger Erik Smith
Looking Back to Look Ahead
My semester in Amman with Amideast will not be my first time studying abroad; I took a gap year to study in Surat, India with Rotary Youth Exchange after I graduated high school in 2018. While Jordan and India could not be more different – nor could 2018 and 2021 – I find myself reflecting on my time in India as I prepare to leave the country once again.
Although I am trying not to set specific expectations for my experience, a strategy that worked well on my first study abroad experience, some hopes and fears are, inevitably, dancing about my mind while I pack, colored by my past experiences abroad.
The Fears
The Language: I know a lot more Arabic now than I knew Hindi in 2018, and I wound up learning a lot and getting by quite well. However, I have only been trained in Modern Standard Arabic, which is drastically different from the Jordanian Colloquial Arabic spoken on the streets. While my highly formal Hindi earned some laughs, using MSA might alienate me from the people I’m trying to meet, if I’m even intelligible…
The Immersion: When I lived in India, school wasn’t really important for me. While I was enrolled in high school and on a student visa, the focus was on cultural immersion, not academics. With COVID-19 restrictions and the pressure of college-level classes, I worry about how much time and energy I will have to explore my host community and meet locals, which was a defining highlight of my last exchange.
Luckily, I trust that I will be able to address these fears due to the unique aspects of the Amideast program.
The Hopes
Living with a Host Family: With Rotary, I lived with three separate host families to give me a holistic view of the local culture. I developed deep relationships with each and learned more from them than I ever could have living in a dormitory. I am glad that I will have the opportunity to live with a host family during my entire semester in Amman, building connections while providing a perfect way to practice my Jordanian Arabic and learn about the local culture.
Unique Courses: Unlike in India, my courses matter this time, and I couldn’t be more excited for them. Community-Based Learning will give me an opportunity to interact with locals directly, while Blended Arabic will help me progress with my language skills while learning how to get by practically. Despite the academic commitment that this exchange will require, I believe it will deepen my overall experience.
Going abroad is scary, but that’s what makes it worth doing. Thanks to the structure of Amideast’s study abroad program, I am ready to rush towards these fears and embrace my next study abroad experience.
