Alumni Interview with Olivia Zachman

What inspired you to go abroad?

I applied to the Jordan program because I’ve dedicated my university studies to learning about and researching the Middle East. I’m passionate about dispelling the stereotypes about such a diverse region with different cultures, societies, variations of religion and people. 

Within the United States, we are quick to judge and hold biases based on information that has little validity, such as from major news sources or social media. I’d like to continue learning about individual countries through personal travel experiences and research in order to confidently advocate for the human beings—who deserve to be treated as such—that we have relegated into stereotypes.

Traveling to Jordan and other countries in the Middle East and attempting to immerse myself in the culture and understand the society is the best way to begin to understand and, in turn, educate those around me about the region.

Why did you choose AMIDEAST?

I chose AMIDEAST because it was the best option for my area of interest. I have been studying the Arabic language, and Jordan provided an environment where Arabic is the dominant language. AMIDEAST provided both modern standard as well as colloquial Arabic which greatly improved my knowledge and confidence with the language. I also appreciated that this organization offered content courses along with Arabic courses. While I wanted to improve my language skills, I also wanted to learn about Jordanian history and society.

There is not one single narrative of the history of the world, but instead many different perspectives and opinions that combine to create a dynamic framework, each with its own bias. I've grown up receiving a western education which has formed my understanding of the world, but the more perspectives I am exposed to the more I understand the importance of hearing all sides of history to fully comprehend the events and effects of the past. 

What was your favorite part about Jordan?

My favorite aspect of Jordan was the diversity of the region. In the morning I could be sitting in a café in Amman and just a few hours later be in a camp in Wadi Rum. While the country is relatively small, there are beautiful cities, towns, villages, and natural areas—like the desert or the sea—within a simple drive of each other. 

I also appreciated the diversity of peoples and cultures within Jordan. While I was exposed to many Jordanian dishes and customs, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of influence of the surrounding regions. I think the heart of any country revolves around the people. The individuals I met in Jordan, from teachers to friends to strangers, were truly amazing. I felt that the connections and friendships I made abroad were very genuine. In everyday interactions, I felt those around me to be so deeply caring and helpful. I was fortunate to meet such an amazing group of people.

What made your experience abroad unique?

My experience abroad was unique because I was able to volunteer at a local organization that allowed me to experience a side of Jordan I would have otherwise not been privy to. I volunteered at an organization called Reclaim Childhood that empowers young women through sport—many of whom are refugees.

Along with having the opportunity to interact with these girls and help the coaches when necessary, I was given several topics to research and report on. Researching refugee populations within Jordan and interacting with these girls helped me to better understand the complex implications involved with holding the title of a “refugee.” It also humanized a group of vastly different individuals who are often categorized as one.

Due to uncontrollable circumstances, millions of refugees have entered Jordan as second class citizens and face discrimination. I had read about the experiences of refugees throughout the world, but meeting, talking with, and getting to know children and other refugees through cultural dialogues had a resounding impact on me. 

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The local staff supported me throughout the program in every way possible. When first arriving in Jordan, they made sure we were accustomed to different cultural practices and norms. Any questions we had about Jordan—which were seemingly endless—they were happy to answer. Once we were adjusted and comfortable exploring the city, they would give us recommendations for the best restaurants and study spots in the city.

At the start of classes they helped us to secure our materials and made sure our daily schedules and activities were both posted on the board and sent out in emails. I was preparing for research at my university this summer and needed to secure copies of Jordanian newspapers, and one of the staff members called different organizations and reached out to his contacts to help me find copies. From planning organization activities, to buying cakes for program birthdays, the staff was very kind and did more than what was necessary to make sure our time abroad was comfortable and successful.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

One thing I wish I would have done differently was to have gone out on my own and explored the city. I think with a small organization of mostly Americans it can be easy to stay within that bubble of comfort, speaking English and going to westernized places. However, if I had the opportunity to redo my experience, I would go out and make more Jordanian friends and not be as nervous to practice my Arabic. I let nerves stop me exploring the city and the culture on my own. 

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

In a typical day in the life of the program I would wake up, eat a nice breakfast, grab my lunch that was prepared for me, and head out to catch a taxi on the main road. Taxi rides were very entertaining experiences—this was often my most comfortable opportunity to speak Arabic and not be afraid of messing up. Often times I would mispronounce a word and have it corrected and those are the vocabulary terms that have remained in my memory.

Upon arriving at AMIDEAST I would have my modern standard Arabic class with an incredible teacher, and after a short break my colloquial Arabic class with another amazing teacher. After having a lunch break, depending on the day, I would have one of my content courses which were always filled with debate, discussion, and insight. After my day of classes was over, I usually would do work or attend a practice for my volunteer organization. During the evening after dinner I would often go to a café with some friends to socialize. I would return home to complete any homework and then prep for the next day and go to bed.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time I would often go to cafes because there are a seemingly endless amount of truly beautiful cafes in Amman. One aspect of society I noticed in Jordan was the emphasis on socialization—whether with family or friends—it was common to see people at all hours sitting about and discussing life. If it was a weekend day, I would usually try to go on an excursion with friends to places within the city, other regions, or historical sites.

My favorite adventure was going on an all day hike with a group made up of mostly Jordanians where we saw beautiful views and had a home cooked Jordanian dinner together. One of my favorite events to attend was a poetry slam held every month. There I was able to listen to beautifully crafted poems, stories, and songs created by both Jordanian and foreigners who were able to speak their minds. 

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

My accommodation was very nice. I was fortunate enough to live with a host family that was very kind and helpful in getting me accustomed to life in Jordan. Upon first arriving, I was incredibly nervous about living in a different country, and my host mother was helpful in making me feel comfortable. I found it very enlightening to discuss Jordanian culture and history with her during dinners. I appreciated the opportunity to have an inside perspective on Jordanian life, not to mention the cooking was delicious.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

One thing every participant should know before participating in my program is to enter Jordan with an open mind. Listening to different sides of history and getting to know others who have different lived experiences is an incredibly rare opportunity of education. I suggest listening to every possible story and hearing what life is like in their eyes. Just like any country, Jordan cannot be summarized in a few broad sentences. There are so many interesting life stories and perspectives to be found in such a diverse country that I recommend listening to as many people as possible.

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

Now that I’m home, my time abroad has impacted my life immensely. I feel a greater responsibility to inform others of my personal experiences in order to dispel harmful stereotypes and rhetoric that unfortunately dominates American discourse. It has given me the opportunity to see life through a different worldly perspective and allowed me to more deeply analyze the common narrative of history I’ve always been taught through a different lens. Living in a different culture has allowed me to be more empathetic and opened my eyes specifically to the complexity of Jordanian society.

Would you recommend AMIDEAST to others? Why?

I would recommend my program to others because I felt it was well balanced. I received both Arabic courses to improve my language skills, as well as content courses to improve my knowledge of the region. Living in a country where the dominant language is Arabic was essential in improving my knowledge and confidence with the language. The program took us on excursions to popular destinations within the region, while also providing a comprehensive background of the importance of each site. Amman was beautiful, simple to navigate once I became accustomed to the layout, rife with unique places, and incredibly safe. My overall experience was overwhelmingly positive and I would do it again in a heartbeat.