Discovering Amman

“Time present and time past Are both perhaps present in time future, And time future contained in time past.” Eliot, T.S. “Burnt Norton.” Four Quartets, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, 1971. The English major in me will always want to add poetry to my blog posts, but I chose this specific quote because I got to …

Optimum Culture Shock

Hi friends! I’m typing this from Amman, Jordan, and I’m finally starting to believe that I might actually be studying abroad this semester. It feels like a dream. Apologies in advance for the photo quality—I took tons of pictures, but I’m a horrible photographer so you’ll have to use your imagination to fill in the …

Plot Twist!

Three days ago, I received a call from my SIT admissions counselor. “AnnaLeah, I’m gonna ask you to sit down,” she instructed me over the phone. “I have some news that will shake your world.” This wasn’t the first time I had talked with my admissions counselor. She had been supportive in my application and …

A glimpse into ethical tourism in Jordan

Are study abroad students tourists in the country in which they study? I have been asking myself this question for the last four months, and I am still not sure of the answer. However, I do know that as temporary visitors (okay, so maybe we are tourists) we have the responsibility to leave the country …

The Land of Seven Moles, Giant Balls of Cheese, and Grasshoppers?

There is no better way to explore Oaxaca than through your stomach. When people think of Mexican food/drink, they think of 10-peso taco stands, rice and beans, and of course, tequila. However, Oaxaca has so much more to offer, it is the gastronomic hub of Mexico after all. Think mole to memelas, chapulines and mezcal, …

The Promised Land

Earlier this week we had the opportunity to visit Mount Nebo (the land of Moab, now Jordan), where God showed Moses the Promised Land. This is also where Moses was said to have died. The view from the top of Mount Nebo is spectacular. From it, you can see the Dead Sea (far left), Jerusalem …

Health Care Abroad: Tips and Tricks

For those of you curious or concerned, here are some details of my experience with the health care industry while studying abroad, and what I wished I would have known before I stepped in blind. Everyone has their own idea of their worst nightmare coming to fruition, or their worst case scenario. For me, one …

Facts about Jordan you wouldn’t read in a guidebook

As I prepared for my time in Jordan I did a LOT of research about what culture, food, and life in Amman was going to be like. A lot of the information I found was helpful, but there are some things that guide books just don’t tell you! I have been a long time lover …

World’s Biggest Game of Frogger

Did anyone else love the computer game Frogger growing up? The adrenaline rushing through your fingers as tiny timed movements determined the fate of a little digitized frog? One incorrect press of the arrow keys and beep! beep! the little frog is smooshed beneath a tire. Thinking about it makes me rather nostalgic. Well, that …

Residential Life Abroad

A look at residential halls as a study-abroad living situation other than home-stays. Before going abroad, I had heard nothing but oodles of praise for living with a family in a home-stay situation while studying abroad. I had heard how great it is for immersion and to get one-on-one support during your time abroad, and …