Photos by Rojina Timsina, (Kalamazoo College), Student Correspondent for CET Jordan, Fall 2022
1. Water Bottle
“Big water bottle very important because it’s hot in Jordan and you need to stay hydrated or you’ll die or worse, perform sub-optimally” – Tarek Nasr
Having an insulated water bottle will make life so much easier. Water is easily accessible if you are in the major cities, but as you go further out water becomes hard to come by. It is necessary to stay hydrated, especially on days when you are on a longer trip.
2. A good pair of tennis shoes
There is a lot to see in Jordan, and you will be doing a lot of walking. Just going down to Wast Al Balad, you will encounter stairs, uphills, downhills, potholes, uneven sidewalks, and wet cements. There is trash on the streets, sharp objects, and other hurdels you can save yourself from with a good pair of walking shoe.
There are few excursions to natural parks, and hiking trips with Jirans (CET Jordan’s local neighbor program) that will require walking. Jordan has some of the most amazing mountains and valleys, and you will spend a weekend or two exploring out in the nature. Come prepared.
3. The Uber app
Jordan has few options when it comes to transportation. There is a bus that does pick ups and drop offs at certain locations, there are yellow taxis, ubers, and the Jordanian version of Uber called Careem. Taking the bus or the yellow taxi is fine as long as you are with a group of people. There are instances when you have to travel alone such as for your internship or to meet with your language partner; for solo trips Uber will be your best bet.
4. Talabat
Talabat is the Doordash/Ubereats of Jordan. Talabat is a delivery service that delivers from restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores. After a hectic day full of adventures, you probably will not have the energy to cook dinner or go out to eat, Talabat to the rescue. You order on their app, and you pay after the food has been delivered. Whather you are craving a full Arabic breakfast, a red velvet cake, or samosas at midnight; Talabat has got your back. (This post is not sponsored.)
5. A café to work in
Cafés are a big part of the Jordanian culture. There are cafes in every street corner, every alley way, and every stops. The café is a great place to hang out with friends in the evening, play cards, and smoke sheesha. There are various cafés with various vibes to them. The trick is to explore around the first few weeks and find a café that matches your style. With the amount of café options Amman has to offer, you are sure to stumble upon one sooner rather than later. You will spend hours sitting in the café and having discussions with friends. The café conversations with your peers till midnight is one of the highlight of being in Jordan.