Welcome to Amman
Understanding identity abroad is important—regardless of whether or not you think it will play a role in your own experience. While we strive to create and maintain programs that support students of all races, religions, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations, you also play a crucial role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for your peers navigating aspects of their identit(ies) in a new country. The information and resources on this page serve as a starting point to help you understand experiences you or your CET classmates may encounter while abroad.
Cultural Climate
Race & Ethnicity
As the capital of Jordan, Amman enjoys cultural, national, ethnic, age, and occupational diversity. However, the average Jordanian person is not surrounded by the same racial diversity that exists in the US and as a result racism manifests itself differently. It may express itself in various ways—through words, ways of thinking, some laws, etc.—but very rarely does it escalate to physical harassment. This ignorance can cause behaviors that students might perceive to be microaggressions, but most of the racism that a student might experience is often the product of ignorance as opposed to malice. Asian and Black students in particular may notice or experience these types of race-based microaggressions, as well as other uncomfortable experiences like staring, as has been previously mentioned to staff.
Certain nationalities must get a visa in advance (as opposed to purchasing one at the airport) and can expect extra steps in the temporary residency process. Additionally, these students are not permitted to leave and re-enter Jordan without special permission.
LGBTQ+
Generally speaking, there is a widespread lack of awareness regarding identities that are not heterosexual or cisgender, and thus most Jordanians will assume that an American student is cis and straight. LGBTQ+ identities and issues are not widely understood or accepted in Jordan, and students are recommended to establish a rapport with local acquaintances (outside of the CET Community: staff, teachers, jiran, language partners) before disclosing their identities or discussing ideas of sexual orientation and identity. There are no official support groups that students can reach out to, but there are certain spaces where local LGBTQ+ individuals might find community. During orientation (when available), on-site staff invite a prominent LGBTQ+ community leader to speak to students about navigating the local context as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
While there are no laws that specifically criminalize LGBTQ+-identifying individuals, there are laws pertaining to “decency” and “morality” that could be interpreted against a queer student. The treatment of LGBTQ+ communities by law enforcement varies with each occurrence, and students are advised to exercise discretion regardless. It should be noted that public displays of affection are not tolerated within any group, but platonic physical affection between those of the same sex is common amongst locals (e.g., linking arms, kissing on the cheeks as a greeting, etc.). These instances are perceived as simply friendly and not romantic.
Gender
Gender plays a big role in Jordanian society, with significant impacts on spaces and social interactions. Students will experience this firsthand in a myriad of ways, from simply noticing how social dynamics shift depending on the gender(s) in a given space, to receiving invitations to gendered events/activities. To respect local customs and laws, CET housing is arranged by gender. For more information, see the Housing Assignments section below.
Generally speaking, varying gender identities are not widely understood in Jordan. Most locals are unfamiliar with gender diverse vocabulary and students often find that using male or female pronouns, verbs, and adjectives in Arabic is the most effective for communicating while in Jordan. There are two situations in which staff may need to refer to a student according to their passport-listed sex as opposed to their gender: in a medical situation at a hospital or with local authorities in the residency process.
CET Jordan staff have experience supporting gender diverse students on the ground. However, we realize that each student is unique and one plan for accommodations and/or support doesn’t necessarily work for another. Please reach out to your student services coordinator for more details.
Religion
Religion is an important identity marker in Jordan, and it’s common for students to be asked about their religious backgrounds. Should students feel uncomfortable discussing their religious background with local people, staff can provide advice for navigating the subject. Muslim and Christian students are free to practice their religious beliefs openly, but the public practice of other faiths is prohibited. There can be discrimination against Shi’a Islam and Judaism (the latter often conflated with Zionism), as well as little acceptance of atheism or agnosticism. This discrimination stems from prevailing attitudes informed by regional history and geopolitical conflicts. Jewish students in particular have reported facing challenges with their religious identities while in Jordan—on-site staff can help connect students with a local Jewish American community if interested.
For some Muslim students on the other hand, the implications of being in a Muslim-majority country are often unexpected and surprising. Because Islam is the state religion and centered in the culture, the typical accommodations that Muslim students need in the US do not apply—all food is halal, most Islamic holidays are national holidays, and tardiness or breaks for prayer are not excused. With many mosques and prayer-friendly spaces around (the CET Center also has prayer rugs for shared use), all students, staff, and instructors are expected to pray outside of class time.
Cost of Living
Amman is a relatively expensive city, despite perceptions of the region. Things like groceries, restaurant prices, and taxis are sometimes cheaper than those in the US, but electronics, imported products, and western chains are expensive. Check out a budget sheet to get an idea of what life in Amman might look like financially.
Accommodations Abroad
CET makes every effort to offer accommodations comparable to those of your home institution. Disclosing early helps us to make proper preparations and work with you to determine if a program will be a good fit. We recommend that you use the following details to inform your decisions and conversations with your Student Services Coordinator.
ACCESS in ACADEMICS
Day-to-Day
In Jordan, the weekend is Friday through Saturday, so classes are scheduled from Sunday through Thursday. Students conducting an internship have class 3 days/week and work 2 days/week. The first month, semester students are typically in classes/office hours for an average of 4 to 5 hours each day. After the first month, content courses in Arabic begin and daily class hours vary. Students can expect to have between 5 to 6 hours of class per day. Language classes typically have 4 students per class, with a maximum of 8. English-language electives have a maximum of 15 students. For every hour of class, students are expected to complete a minimum of 1 hour of homework.
Summer students have 4 to 5 hours of class/office hours a day.
Available for students with documented need: extra time on exams; modified deadlines; low-distraction test environment; note-takers; exam readers; audio recordings of lectures; readings provided as audio files; Braille/large print texts; term syllabi/readings/assignments in advance; a computer to take exams; preferential seating in class; mobility orientation to CET Center. Accommodations are arranged on a case-by-case basis and must be discussed in advance to ensure their availability.
Classrooms
The CET Center (where classes are held) serves as a communal space for lounging, studying, and attending classes. It has classrooms, staff offices, a student lounge, a meeting room, kitchen area, and gender-neutral bathrooms. The surrounding neighborhood has plenty of quick and affordable food options. The CET Center itself is wheelchair accessible, however the bathroom is not accessible due to its narrow entrance.
Internships
Internships offer varied work environments and require varied tasks. Accessibility needs are taken into consideration during internship placements. Distances and modes of transportation to internship sites vary, but private transportation to and from internship sites can be arranged for a student with documented need.
Out-of-Class Activities
CET occasionally plans mandatory academic activities and optional trips to nearby sites and other cities after class and on weekends. Excursions may involve urban walking, rural hiking, use of public transportation, and/or going up and down stairs.
Itinerary modifications and accommodations can be made for students with documented need. Transportation can be arranged as necessary, and excused absences are provided for mandatory excursions that are inaccessible due to a disability.
ACCESS IN HOUSING
Your Home Abroad
Apartments differ in layout but all provide the same overall experience. The apartment buildings typically also house Jordanian families (as well as CET jiran, our Jordanian neighbor program), so it is crucial and expected that students respect local norms in and around housing. The commute from the apartments to the CET Center (where classes are held) is roughly a 15-minute walk. Housing setups are not wheelchair accessible as is, but accessible housing arrangements can be made for students with documented need if requested in advance.
Housing Assignments
Mixed-gender housing is forbidden by Jordanian law and would not be acceptable to most building owners. While local LGBTQ communities recognize diverse gender identities, Jordanian society overwhelmingly assumes a female/male gender binary and local laws and customs are built around this assumption. CET staff work with students to place them in appropriate and comfortable housing arrangements, taking into consideration student gender identity, expression, and comfort, while working within local cultural frameworks and respecting local norms.
Rooms are typically shared, but a single room in an apartment, with a private shower or toilet, may be available for students with documented need if requested in advance.
Around Amman
Amman is a car-centric city—though there are walkable pockets within city limits, most people get from one area to another via vehicle. Students with mobility issues may find Amman difficult to navigate due to the uneven roads and hilly nature of the city, but some neighborhoods may be more accommodating. There has been an increase in the efforts to provide ramps, but this is not yet consistent throughout Amman. Elevators are common around the city, though they are not always large enough to accommodate wheelchairs.
"As a legally blind person, I was pretty nervous about doing this study abroad program and about how I would receive my accommodations. However, I was quickly reassured by the amount of support CET gave me throughout the semester, from helping me adjust and changing my accommodations. All of my teachers were more than ready to help me at any time."
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | Fall student
Health & Diet
As a part of your program fee, you are enrolled in GeoBlue health insurance for the entire duration of your program. Learn more about GeoBlue and how we operate programs with health and safety in mind.
Health & Medicine
The emergency room is accessible to students for both minor and major illnesses and ailments. It is relatively cheap compared to the US and most doctors speak English. Medicine can be obtained without a prescription (excluding mental health medications), and there are no issues with students bringing medication into Jordan provided they have a prescription. Students pay upfront for medical services and are reimbursed by GeoBlue (their insurance abroad) through the mobile app. Because these reimbursements take between 4 to 6 weeks, students are advised to budget discretionary funds for upfront costs.
Jordan does not allow residency for foreign nationals with HIV/AIDS and those seeking residency are legally required to be tested as part of a general medical screening for residency. Academic year students with HIV/AIDS are recommended to plan on leaving and re-entering Jordan to avoid a year-long residency process and the associated exams.
Keeping Fit in Amman
There are many different options to exercise while in Jordan. There are many parks and running tracks available for free, as well as gyms and swimming pools that require a membership or a small fee for day use.
Managing Mental Health
There is a network of bilingual mental health providers that are accessible to students. These providers have psychological, psychiatric, and counseling services available. Practices provide either local or American doctors. Some mental health medications are hard to get locally and require a prescription from specialists. Students on medications are advised to plan ahead and bring enough supply of their medication (along with the prescription) to Jordan.
Dietary Restrictions
Special dietary needs are not as common in Jordan, so restaurants do not have the same regulations about the contamination/mixing of ingredients. Students with severe allergies are advised to cook for themselves at home and to be extra careful when eating out. Staff can help these students when arranging meals during trips and provide them the verbiage to make special requests at restaurants. Amman also has western-style supermarkets where students with dietary restrictions can purchase more familiar ingredients for home-cooked meals.
There are many options available that cater to a variety of diets, but generally speaking, traditional Jordanian food is very heavy on bread, dairy, and meat.
Resources from Alumni
Perspective pieces
These are alumni-written essays that reflect upon how their own identity affected their time abroad (both good and bad) and what it was like to navigate another culture in their position. We encourage you to read these to better understand what studying abroad in Japan could be like for you or your future peers.
Are you a CET Jordan alumnus? Consider telling us about your time abroad.
- Being Black in Jordan by Ellie Pollard, CET Jordan | Fall 2023
For “Everyone, Black students” - A Jewish Student Perspective on CET Jordan by Noa Bearman, CET Jordan | Fall 2023
For “Jewish students in Jordan” - Studying Abroad in Amman as an Arab-American by Alaq Zghayer, CET Jordan | Fall 2019
For “Heritage students, Arabs, Muslims” - A Female South Asian Experience in Jordan by Wendy Pius, CET Jordan | Fall 2019
For “Females in the Middle East, South Asians in Jordan” - Being Foreign by Anonymous Contributor, CET Jordan: Intensive Language | Fall 2018
For “Mixed race and biracial students” - Pass It On: Coping and Learning by Anonymous Contributor, CET Jordan | Fall 2018
- Expectation Setting for Jordan by Zoie Chang, CET Jordan | Summer 2018
BLOG Posts
This is a curated list of blog posts chosen specifically to provide context for life abroad. Posts here may cover culture shock, diversity, daily life and workload, etc. To see all posts from students in Jordan, head to the Student Voices blog.
- Amman’s Book Garden: Connecting People and Books
By Harper Schrader, Kalamazoo College | Fall 2024 - Amman’s Development of Arabic Learning Programs for Non-Native Speakers
By Silas Gaughran-Bedell, American University | Spring 2024 - Halfway Through: What CET Jordan is REALLY Like
By Elaine Pollard, Kalamazoo College | Fall 2023 - What it Means to Study Arabic in Jordan
By Madeleine Shaw, Dartmouth College | Fall 2023 - Exchanging Languages and Cultures in Jordan
By Clemencia El Antouri, University of Georgia | Summer 2023 - The Risk and the Reward in Amman, Jordan
By Tomas Gordo-Churchill, Northwestern University | Spring 2023 - Female Identity in Jordan
By Emily Griffith, University of Missouri | Fall 2022 - Dinner at Dania’s
By Meg Buzbee, Yale University | Summer 2022 - Save Money, Live Better while Getting Situated in Amman
By Mathu Jennings, Kalamazoo College | Fall 2019 - Being Vegetarian in Amman ،بالحقيقة
By Cecilia Beard, Spring 2019
Alumni Insight
In final evaluations, we ask students how their identities affected their experience abroad. The following are a few select quotes from recent program evaluations to help you understand what life in Jordan may be like for you or your future peers.
Student Spotlight
Justin Hsieh | Yale University | CET Jordan | Summer 2023 - Spring 2024
TALK TO ALUMNI
Chat with alumni about their experiences abroad. Once you start an application, your CET Compass account will give you access to the following resources:
- Alumni Support List: A directory of students who have volunteered to chat about their experiences abroad in Jordan.
- Identity Abroad Support Network: A group of students who have volunteered to discuss their identity-related experiences in Jordan. This is a volunteer-based program that started in 2019. Volunteers can also opt to have their contact information kept privately by CET staff and only shared when certain lived experiences are asked about.
Don’t see anyone listed for the Identity Abroad Support Network? Call CET for more information and resources. Consider joining after your program to support other minority students abroad.