"Reflections on a Semester of Surprises" by Erik Smith

My first blog post this semester related my hopes and fears for my experience in Jordan based on my former study abroad experience in India. Although I knew that I was going somewhere completely new, I thought that the flexibility I had developed would help me stay oriented in Jordan. However, my time here has pushed me to new extremes I had not considered, and despite the struggles I am incredibly grateful to have gone through it.

Disappointing Discoveries

Relationships with Peers

While we all get along just fine, I don’t really jive with my cohort of fellow international students the way I did in India. While this has been difficult for my anxious disposition, it has pushed me to make connections with more folks outside of our little bubble, such as a local Ultimate Frisbee meetup. Overall, the social hardships pushed me to get more of the immersive experience I wanted out of my time in Jordan, and the closer I get to the end the more grateful I am for its payoffs.

Unexpected Reputations

Most Jordanians’ first question upon meeting me is where I’m from, and I’ve been surprised to find that most of them respond with jealousy and fascination. Amid a high unemployment rate and struggling economy here, many see the US as a prosperous utopia where the streets are paved with gold. This has saddened me as I fall in love with the distinct and vibrant culture in Jordan, which many have written off for its lack of material abundance. While I am proud of where I come from, I find immense beauty and value in diversity, and the reduction of our differences to quantifiable economics makes me concerned for the future of globalization. Still, glimmers of hope shine bright in my memory, such as the taxi driver who lived in the US for three months and told me that, while it was beautiful, he preferred the strong sense of community and mutual care in Jordan.

Happy Accidents

Institutional Support

In India, as high school students, our activities were severely restricted and our organization didn’t offer as much in the way of direct support. While this was good for developing my independence and initiative, Amideast’s stellar staff has made my experience go far more smoothly so that I could get the most out of it. It would have been difficult to deal with these challenges without their resources, expertise, and helpful disposition.

Personal Development

I’m an extrovert and spend most of my time around friends in the US. Here, though, I’ve been learning to be comfortable exploring alone, since my fantastic host family and I have quite different schedules so I often find myself on my own. I have taken this opportunity to reflect deeply on my values and behavior, and thanks to the deepened perspective imparted by intercultural exposure, I feel that I have grown immensely over this time.

Lessons Learned

In the end, it has been a difficult semester, but a rewarding one. Through the close connections I’ve made with locals through events like Ultimate Frisbee, I now know that I can find meaningful relationships wherever I go no matter how bleak my initial outlook. My Arabic has progressed greatly, owing as much to my greater acceptance of mistakes as any technical knowledge. I have a deeper appreciation for global structures and their impacts on the community level while also appreciating the great potential of diverse perspectives. I am proud of having overcome the many challenges this semester threw at me, and even more grateful for the wisdom I gained from them.