Why Jordan?

"Why Jordan?"

"Well, there's the food." I typically answer. "Falafel, hummus, you know...."

Blank stares.

"It's in a good location for traveling. Syria? Lebanon?"

Consternation.

"Um, the program is academically rigorous. I'm looking forward to taking 21 credits!"

Sounds of pity.

"In truth, there are at least six main reasons, with four subpoints a-piece. To begin, point A....Oh, you must go? Must you? I suppose...."

Truly, though, I do have well thought out reasons for this apparently surprising choice of study abroad locale; only, short conversations aren't the best for explaining. There is a bit more to it than falafel and wanting a break from Physical Chemistry:

1. Practicality

I've finished my majors and minors, leaving me with one semester before medical school. Why stay in the midwest when I could be overseas? I wanted a language program that would be challenging and in a location to which I would not be likely to visit again. Due to the ease of tourism throughout Europe, the programs available through Cedarville remaining were either in India or Jordan.

2. History

There are thousands of years of history represented in Jordan, although the modern Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan gained its independence from the British mandate in 1946. From Rabbath Ammon, the Ammonite's capitol, to the Nabataeans' Petra and then the Roman's Jerash/Gerasa, Jordan has a long and colorful story of intertwining empires and rulers.

3. Politics

Let's just say it's....interesting. With its neighboring countries, regional politics can be between (famously) Iraq and a hard place. Although Jordan is one of two Mid East countries with a treaty with Israel, a majority of the population identify themselves as Palestinian. The HKJ is a constitutional monarchy (King Abdullah with PM Rifai) with representative government; in 2009 King Abdullah had dissolved the parliament and the following 2010 parliamentary elections made for some riveting reading indeed. Politically, Jordan is viewed as a very stable country. Furthermore, the politics of the region will continue to play an important role in the States and Jordan seems a good place to gain a better perspective on the region.

4. Travel

It is centrally located with many tourist attractions nearby. Jordan itself has some beautiful scenery and is a growing tourist destination.

5. Arabic

After three years of Latin, two of Spanish and enough French, German, and Italian to recognise all the important words in arias and lieder I want to study a non-Romance language. Since my favorite languages are German and Hebrew, it makes sense to study Arabic which has similar aural features. It also has a complex grammar; surprisingly, the conlangs I made years ago have many similarities to its root/stem pattern, phonology, and noun state and cases. Plus, Arabic, in one form or another of its dialects, is widely spoken. The program will be challenging: 9 hours of MSA and 3 of the Jordanian dialect a week. I'm looking forward to immersing myself in something besides science....I have four more years to do that!

6. Food

The national dish is mansaf: rice, lamb, and yogurt. All these are things that I like to eat. Sounds promising!