Pros and Cons of My Study Abroad Experience Thus Far

  Pros:

• Forcing myself to discover what I am really interested in for my future degrees and job.
• Becoming more independent.
•   -I am doing this by living the life of a citizen/student here.  That includes getting a taxi/bus ride to school everyday, speaking the language, understand expressions, and cultural expectations.
• Traveling and visiting other cities in Jordan, along with other countries (during my semester break)
• Mastering the ever-so-difficult Arabic language

Cons:

• There is an issue with the water system here.  What does that mean?
• A:  You are not able to flush toilet paper down the toilets here...because there water system can not handle it.
• B:  You can not drink the water from the faucet.
• C:  Water is bought monthly here and can get pricey.  Therefore, you are not able to take long showers.
• Chocolate
• I have already expressed my issues with this on Facebook a bit...but basically...I have not found a solid chocolate bar that I am happy with.  Often times, I can only find an off-brand milk chocolate or common brands like M&M, Snickers, Twix and half the time they are so old that they are unbearable to eat.  I would just love to find a dark chocolate with raspberry flavoring in it....hmmm.  Some friends here have said that there is a market that sells international chocolates...I will have to find that place soon, because my nutella jar is almost empty.
• "Cat-calling"
• Seriously, A LOT of the men here...they have no filter.  They yell out the window, honk at you, call you "admirable names", stare you up and down until their eyes have looked at every inch of you....it is sickening.
• Church
• I am missing my church back home and the services that fill my soul every week!  (I also miss all my friends and family..!)

All in all...I am really enjoying my experience and know all of the advantages that are coming along with it.  I am determined to finish my goals and move on with life after my study abroad.  I am so focused on my goals that I haven't been homesick much at all, yet.  This week will be filled with an exciting trip, as well as the week after.

I will post pictures soon!  Goodnight everyone!  xoxo

Peace in the Middle East?

I have never been the type to like politics, political science, civics, history, or anything having to do with government issues and the current media.  I feel like current media only portrays one image...and that is of depressive stories-that in turn, leave a distaste in my mouth.  That distaste then finds its way into my daily life.  Who wants to be around someone who lives their life with a sour attitude because most of what they see on the news are the sour stories that they believe lead our daily lives?

Well, I am one to say, that I have not completely fled from my distaste of the distasteful politics, but I have come to realize why it's so important.

Politics and the news are relevant because they play a major role in our daily lives.  Sure, you can go about your day to day life without caring about the government, the decisions that are made, or what is going on around you.  However, sooner or later, you will realize how beneficial your knowledge about current politics and media will become.  I am realizing this now.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is an issue that I have only skimmed the surface of.  However, being in Jordan for 4 months and taking "America and the Arabs" class has intrigued my interest in the subject more than ever before.

I am learning how many different sectors of society go into a conflict this big-economical, religious, political, and cultural issues all come into play.  I have some major reading to catch up on about the history of Palestine and the Israeli conflict, but I am enjoying the reading and expanding my knowledge about this topic!

I really do believe in the phrase, "Peace in the Middle East", and it means more to me now than ever before. I have been to 2 Arab countries now and I have seen some common burdens that people deal with on a daily basis.  

I will comment more on the traditions/cultural differences here another time!

An Experience of a Lifetime

Everyone that hears about my opportunity tells me, "Your trip will be an experience of a lifetime!"  When I first started hearing this, I sort of brushed it off my shoulders.  Yeahh yeahh...it will be great.  However, as time has gone by, I am really coming to realize how amazing studying abroad will be.  This is the perfect time in my life and I am looking forward to taking advantage of every experience that is thrown at me.  I know at times, situations will be overwhelming, and I will probably cry until my waterproof mascara starts running.  But, getting through those tough times will make me stronger and in turn, a better person.

So...I am currently at the airport.  Let me tell you what a struggle it was the past couple days!!  I would say I am a pretty organized person.  However, this time, I did not plan my packing well.  It seemed like there was always more important things to do than pack.  So, when it finally came time to actually put things in suitcases (yesterday), I had a mild panic attack.  How in the world am I supposed to fit 4 months of stuff in 2 bags and a carry on?!  Not to mention the Arabic books that weigh entirely too much to travel with!

After purchasing a scale a weighing my bags a few hundred times- ;) -I finally got each bag to hit the EXACT 50lb limit! Yesssss.  So I am here.  Waiting to board.  I already feel such a sense of excitement and independence.  Bring it on, Jordan.