Language students can easily find a location that best suits their personal preferences in Jordan, a country that has it all, with its incredible mixture of culture and history.

Amman. The capital of Jordan, Amman is both distinctively ancient and modern. The remnants of great ancient civilizations blend beautifully with innovative new structures. The city was known as the Rabbath-Ammon in the Old Testament, was conquered by Egypt’s King Ptolemy II Philadelphus, came under Seleucid and Nabataean rule, was annexed as part of the Roman province of Arabia, and became the seat of a Christian Bishop during the Byzantine period. This rich history resulted in spectacular Roman ruins, grand Byzantine structures, colorful ancient souks, numerous cultural monuments and museums, and many other ancient wonders. The hilly city of Amman is experiencing massive growth in recent years, and is one of the most popular locations for multinational corporations in Jordan, ranking similarly to Dubai and Doha.

Aqaba. The only port city in Jordan, Aqaba offers a wonderful fusion of city life, history, and nature. Home to the nation’s mega projects, the city remains an important commercial and industrial centre, owing its success to its strategic location. Boasting monuments that signal a history that touches the Iron Age, Edomites, Nabateans, Romans, Byzantines, and Muslims, its long history as a trading port is manifested in the warmth locals extend to visitors. Running along the Red Sea, Aqaba offers language students the chance to swim, snorkel, and even scuba dive on their free time.

Madaba is an easy-going, tolerant small town known for its Umayyad and Byzantine mosaics. The “Madaba Map", a 6th century mosaic that depicts Jerusalem and several parts of the Holy Land, offers testament to the town’s history. One-third of the population in Madaba is Christian and the rest is Muslim. The town has a long tradition of religious tolerance, which is especially evident on Fridays, when the carillon bells call out loudly to the Christians while the imam bid the Muslims to say their morning prayers. Madaba is a market town, so it is easy and fun to explore on foot, with lively shops that bespeak a typical King’s Highway town.