CET Jordan study abroad students get top-tier intensive language instruction with unbeatable curricular customization. Enroll in two core courses and the rest is up to you—pick engaging electives in MSA or in English, take on directed research or an internship with a local organization… you even choose your own language pledge. Combined with field-based learning, language partners, and a housing setup designed to engage and acclimate you, it’s a full semester of learning on your terms.
You combine two core language courses and two to three 3-credit electives to meet the recommended 15 to 18 total credits.
You are placed into one 6-credit Modern Standard Arabic course and one 3-credit Jordanian Dialect course.
Note: All core courses are front-loaded. They meet more in the beginning of the term, and taper off after that.
Choose two to three 3-credit electives to meet the recommended 15 to 18 total credits. Arabic electives are back-loaded and start later in the term after your language skills have warmed up.
Take on immersive language learning. The curriculum emphasizes learning beyond the classroom—you have a local roommate and a language partner to practice with, a language pledge, and even take an official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).
Tailor your learning. Use weekly one-on-one office hours to workshop tricky grammar patterns. Build a vocabulary related to your internship. Academic year students can customize even more with one-on-ones with an instructor and custom grammar lessons.
Jordanian Neighbors. You live in an apartment with CET peers in a residential neighborhood of Amman. Sharing the building with you are jiran, Jordanian neighbors. The jiran are part of the program: planning activities that show you Amman, showing you how to cook authentic Jordanian dishes, and just hanging out at night when you’re taking a break from studying. Learn more about living with locals.
Eating in Amman. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes within walking distance of your apartment. Be sure to try mansaf, the national dish of roasted lamb served over rice. Feeling a home-cooked meal? Have a night in with your roommate and trade cooking tips as you prepare dinner together. Learn more about accommodating your dietary needs in Jordan.
Amman is the place to be—it’s lively, diverse, and there’s no shortage of opportunities to take your Arabic language skills for a spin. Explore the city’s traditional side by shopping at the Friday flea market or browsing the Gold Souq. Or enjoy Amman’s more cosmopolitan perks: visit a museum with friends or sip on Arabic coffee while befriending a barista on Rainbow Street.
A Weekend Away. Get ready for a 3-day excursion—swim in the Dead Sea, gaze upon the Natabean ruins at Petra, and take a sunset jeep tour through the dunes of Wadi Rum. Then in true Bedouin fashion, stay up late chatting, drinking tea, and playing cards with peers, roommates, and language partners.
Manal Yosef
Academic Director
Mazen Bernieh
Resident Director, Logistics
Ahmad AbuShaikha
Resident Director, Student Life
All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.
From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.
You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan through GeoBlue that even includes medical evacuation coverage.
The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. All you need to do is remember to bring your camera!
Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.
You’ll also receive an official transcript jointly issued by CET and UJ at the end of the term. You also have the option to request a School of Record transcript from the University of Minnesota for an additional fee if necessary.
Local Cost of Living. Depending on your lifestyle, the cost of living in Amman can be very cheap or expensive. Things like groceries, restaurant prices, and taxis are cheap, but electronics, imported products, and western chains (e.g. Starbucks) are expensive.
Estimated out-of-pocket expenses:
Note on Medical Expenses: Students should expect to initially pay out-of-pocket for most medical care before reimbursed for expenses by GeoBlue insurance. Estimates for common expenses include: treatment for common stomach issues ($85), therapy session ($70), & visit to a specialist ($50).
Complete the application through your online CET account. This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.
Upload a scan of your passport to your online CET account. This should be a single scan that includes the signed signature page and the photo/personal details page. Don’t have a passport yet? Let us know and we can help advise you.
Use the link in your online account to send a recommendation request to one of your previous instructors.
This is an online form that your study abroad office completes to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request, simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of your online account.
Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.
Senior Student Services Coordinator
202.846.7662
[email protected]
CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.
An ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) score is an objective measure of your language progress and level. With 24 terms’ worth of data, it’s clear CET Jordan students make significant progress at any level. And if you’re an advanced learner, staying for another term more than doubles your Arabic progress.
We help you identify opportunities that align with your Arabic abilities, professional interests, and skills. Then, we provide you with support to make sure you have the structure and guidance to get the most out of your placement.
Commit to speaking Arabic all the time—in your classes, out in the city, interacting with CET peers, and even your daily life at home. Under a full pledge, you’re housed with other full pledge students, attend extra-curricular activities together, and are challenged to consume Arabic language media/art in your free time.
Students who uphold a full language pledge can reasonably expect to progress as follows:
Get an extensive list of possible internship placements in Jordan.