The Kingdom of Jordan sits at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and is home to an ancient culture and some of the most stunning archaeological sites on the planet.
Jordan has one of the richest histories of any nation in the world. The country’s position at the heart of the Fertile Crescent means it was one of the first places farmed by humans, and there is evidence of human activity in the area dating back 250,000 years. The region’s ancient kings are mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, and it has been under the control of the ancient Egyptian, the Assyrian and the Babylonian empires, before it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 332BC.
Modern day Jordan is a safe, forward-looking country where ancient monuments sit alongside (and sometimes right underneath) vibrant, modern cities.
Nowhere is this mix of old and new clearer than in the nation’s capital Amman, a heaven for culture lovers where cafes, bars and shopping malls jostle for space with ancient temples and amphitheatres.
The University of Jordan in Amman is considered one of the best in the Arab world. The northern town of Irbid is home to The Jordan Institute of Science and Technology as well as Yarmouk University.
At the crossroads of countless civilizations, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashimiyya) is situated in the heart of the Middle East. From the vibrant city of Amman to excursions to national treasures such as Petra and the Dead Sea, students will be immersed in Jordan’s rich heritage. There is truly something for everyone to experience in this captivating country. Jordan is a perfect place for those study abroad students seeking the remnants of fallen empires, impressive religious sites, and desert citadels. Likewise, students living in Jordan will have the opportunity to study Arabic, a critically in-demand language, as well as to experience the beauty and hospitality of Arab culture.
Jordan is a country filled with cultural and outdoor adventure. For students interested in vastly broadening their life experiences, spending time in Jordan will do just that! From spending time exploring the vibrant streets of downtown Amman to hiking through the canyons of Wadi Mujib, Jordan has endless opportunities for adventure.
Jordan is bordered by Syria in the north, Iraq in the east, by Saudi Arabia in the south-east and south, and by Israel and the West Bank in the west. The country has an outlet to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aqaba.
The climate of Amman is pleasantly temperate. Summers are hot and dry with cool evenings and temperatures reaching highs of a comfortable 93°F. Winters are cool to cold and wet. Most rain falls between October and March, and it can snow in late Winter. The weather is most comfortable during Spring or Autumn.
Universities in Jordan
Princess Sumaya University for Technology
Service-Learning in Amman
University of Jordan
Student Cities in Jordan
Academic Programs in Jordan
Students may choose from the following Academic Program options:
SEMESTER / TRIMESTER
The semester program in Amman is ideal for students who are looking to experience cultural immersion with the option to focus on either Arabic language acquisition or a wide variety of courses taught in English. The University of Jordan offers various levels of Modern Standard Arabic. With excursions around Jordan and cultural activities in Amman, students will have many opportunities to experience Jordanian daily life while completing their home university’s degree requirements.
SUMMER
The ISA summer program in Amman at the University of Jordan offers students the opportunity to learn Modern Standard Arabic while also learning about life and politics in the Middle East. Excursions to Jordan’s most famous landmarks are included in order to give students a more comprehensive view of Jordanian culture.
BACK TO BACK
Students participating in the Back to Back Amman program will participate in both sessions of the Amman Summer Middle Eastern Studies program. Participants will take a total of four courses, two in each session. One course each session must be an Arabic language course. The courses will be taught by faculty from the University of Jordan specifically for ISA students.
