Global Education

Program Dates:

Fall 2023: August 27th – December 15th

Spring 2024: January 21st – May 10th

Fall 2024: August 25th – December 13th

Where: Amman, Jordan

Amman has an ancient history and a diverse, vibrant modernity. It is an accessible, cosmopolitan city with numerous museums, art galleries, theaters, and cinemas. With its reputation for security and hospitality, Amman is home to inhabitants from all over the Middle East. The city provides a safe and stable environment for students to learn about the region.

Academics

The Advanced Arabic Language program provides students with a full immersion experience commensurate with their abilities and proficiency level. All courses are taught in Arabic and include both subject area content and language instruction. This approach enables students to develop a high level of proficiency in Arabic and gain an in-depth understanding of the culture as well as important issues facing Jordan and the Middle East today. In addition, the program has a language commitment that students agree to at the start of the program during orientation. Students are placed in classes depending on their proficiency level which is determine by the on-site placement test.

Students will take: Three required Arabic Language courses and One Arabic subject elective

Academic Structure

Classes are small and often taught in tutorial style. Participants take classes only with other students in the Advanced Arabic Language program.

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3-6 U.S. semester/4.5-9 quarter credits; 45-140 contact hours
CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours

Courses

For a full list of course offerings, visit CIEE’s website here.

Eligibility

GPA OF 3.0, 3.3 GPA in Modern Standard Arabic, 4 semesters of college-level Modern Standard Arabic or equivalent. Successful applicants have mastered the concepts covered in the Al-Kitaab series through the second book or equivalent and demonstrate oral proficiency at the intermediate mid- to intermediate-high level on the ACTFL scale.

Housing & Student Life

Homestays: Study abroad students have the option of living with a Jordanian host family. Homestay placements are made on the basis of compatibility between families and students, and in some cases a suitable homestay may not be available for every interested student. All CIEE housing options in Jordan require students to make adjustments to the host culture, including curfews, limits on guests, and decorum. Students choosing a homestay normally have breakfast and a main meal with the families during the week and may have all meals with them on the weekends. Students are responsible for weekday lunches.

Student Apartments: al-Bayt al-‘Arabi is available pending a minimum number of program participants opting for this housing choice. It requires students to maintain the language commitment among themselves. Students opting for al-Bayt al-‘Arabi should be aware that their space will also regularly serve as communal space and host informal and formal activities for the entire Advanced Arabic Language program. Students who opt for the al-Bayt al-‘Arabi are responsible for all their own meals.

Fees & Costs

Students pay Allegheny tuition, double room, meal plan C (if choosing homestay option),  and an off campus study fee of $800. Allegheny financial aid, except work study & campus employment, is applied to program costs. Tuition includes housing, international travel insurance (CIEE iNext), orientation, field trips, and transcript administration fees. Allegheny students do not have to pay the program deposit requested by CIEE. Estimated additional costs include: weekday lunches (or all meals if in apartment), CIEE application fee, books and supplies (approx. $200), international airfare & local transportation (approx. $1,700), visa fees ($60), and personal expenses.

Visa & Immigration information

Students studying in Jordan must obtain a visa in order to study abroad in Jordan. Please consult with CIEE regarding visa processing.

Application Process

Allegheny students must apply for approval to study off-campus from the Global Education office AND apply directly to their chosen program.For this program, students should work on the Allegheny approval application at the same time as the host program application. The Allegheny approval application deadline is February 20 for fall programs and September 20 for spring programs. Study away approval applications will be reviewed immediately following the appropriate semester deadline. The separate application deadline to apply directly to this program will vary and could be before or after Allegheny’s approval application due date. Check directly on their website (linked at the top of this page) for deadline information. For more information about the study away application process, please visit the application steps page.