Student Quotes
The Host Family Experience
“My host family was awesome….They accepted me right away, and I think everyone felt comfortable after the first couple of days. They told me that I could come back any time, and that my family was invited as well.”
“They were such good people and had such love for each other and extended family. They were optimistic and so fun to be around, I learned some very important lessons from them. I was really impressed with how they took advantage of each moment--enjoyed each day and each joke with each other. They taught me a lot.”
“They cried when I left. They were really interested in American culture, and they seemed to like me as well. I’m going to miss them. My host mother was so sweet…I felt like I had a family member in Jordan to look out for me.”
Arabic and Cross-Cultural Learning
“I learned more Arabic than I ever thought I would….I always heard how hard it was to learn, but I caught on pretty well. I was pretty comfortable communicating with Jordanians by the time we left.”
“I never could have learned as much as I did by staying at home. It was amazing how fast we were learning, especially at the end.”
“The food was really different. You think that you have had Middle Eastern food, but it’s not all the same. It was really interesting to learn how and why they made things a certain way.”
“The people of Jordan seem to want what we do. I felt really safe when I was there, for some reason. I still think that security is still an issue at home, but I felt okay there.”
“The world seemed like a lot bigger place before I went on this trip….in many ways, people are very alike.”
“I felt a little embarrassed that I didn’t know nearly as much about what was going on in the world. I need to be more informed than I am.”
“This was my first time outside of North America. I really learned that the world is a lot smaller than it seems, and that people are remarkably similar to one another.
“I pay much more attention now in reading or watching international news because I feel more affected—I know people who will be affected, who I care about, and whose pain or joy I have begun to understand.”
“I am proud to have solid perspective, but am more disappointed at how culturally cloistered my city is….This lack of awareness is dangerous because the lack of connection with the world will stagger our human compassion and true human progress, and make the people here insensitive to those they can’t immediately see.”
“I’m sure my friends and family are sick of my talking about how awesome Jordan is.”
Academic and Career Aspirations
"I can say with complete confidence that my summer in Jordan ignited that passion and created an insatiable thirst to learn everything there is to know about the Middle East." [now at a university studying International Politics and Economics, with emphasis on the Middle East]
“I took a university course in Islam this year, and I am enrolled in an Arabic class for the fall.”
“I am declaring my major as Middle East Studies this fall and I plan to go on an Arabic study abroad next summer. Before Jordon I wasn't sure if I would take Arabic in college.”
“I really like how for the first five days or so we went around Washington D.C. and visited many places where we could use our Arabic ability in our jobs when we’re older….I know I want to do something with languages.”
“I'm almost positive that the Journey to Jordan program helped me lock down a deal with Colgate University. They've admitted me into a Global Leaders program (about 10-15 kids), which focuses on preparing students who have demonstrated an "international curiosity" to compete in a global area. We'll be preparing a lecture series as well as traveling to foreign countries for research. Getting into this program probably wouldn't have been possible without Jordan being on my application -- this program really sets us apart from most kids.”