Expanding my worldview: A year studying abroad in Jordan

Szara Sharif discovers that spending a year studying abroad in Jordan would lead her to more unexpected places that she could ever have imagined.

When people think of studying abroad, they often focus on the academic aspect: improving language skills, gaining credits towards their degree, and expanding career prospects. While all these things held true for me, my experience studying abroad in Jordan went far beyond that. It profoundly enriched my personal development in ways I never expected, opening me up to new perspectives and experiences. 

Cultural immersion

There’s no denying that immersing yourself in a new country is one of the best ways to learn a language. Living in Jordan allowed me to practise Arabic in real-life situations daily, pushing me out of my comfort zone and making the learning process more organic. Yet, while this was undeniably beneficial, it was the cultural immersion that left the largest impact on me.  

Coming from a fast-paced city like London, it’s easy to get wrapped up in a culture that prioritises work and productivity, oftentimes at the expense of personal well-being. In contrast, Jordan offered something different: a slower, more intentional pace of life. Jordanian culture is deeply rooted in community. Meals are shared communally, hospitality is embedded in all aspects of life, and weekends are reserved for family, faith and rest. This helped me to embrace a more mindful, grounded way of living. 

Meeting people from around the world

One of the unexpected highlights of my time in Jordan was the chance to meet people from all over the world and bond over our shared love for languages. I built an international network of like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds, creating connections that still influence my life today. 

One of my closest friends from Jordan, Linda, is Chinese-American and invited me to visit China with her once our studies ended. That opportunity led to two weeks of exploring historical sites, eating incredible food, and discovering modern art galleries across Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai.  

One of the unexpected highlights of my time in Jordan was the chance to meet people from all over the world and bond over our shared love for languages.

Back in Jordan, we had spent many evenings together over coffee and dinner with a variety of people from our institute, from diplomats to former government officials and NGO workers. While we initially might not have had much in common with them, we could all relate to the gruelling hours spent attempting to master Arabic grammar, and they were incredibly generous in sharing their career experiences and life lessons. Many of them went on to take mentoring roles for us. One of these was my flatmate in my second term, a retired human rights lawyer whose stories of advocacy and justice pushed me to think more critically about my own path.

Another memorable experience involved an unexpected temporary flatmate who stayed with me for a week in Amman. I showed her around the city, taking her to ‘Balad’ downtown Amman, across the winding ‘souks’ and to the famous kunafa shop Habibah’s. Fast forward two months, I missed my connecting flight to China and found myself with 24 hours in Qatar. That same flatmate, now living back in Qatar, ended up showing me around the entire island, ending the visit with a trip to her favourite kunafa spot in Doha. 

Meeting people from different cultures and age groups, exchanging ideas and learning from their experiences opened my mind to new ways of thinking.

Embracing new activities

Before Jordan, I never imagined I’d take up hiking, but the stunning Jordanian landscapes made the hours spent clambering up hills and streams worth every moment. My favourite hike was Wadi Ghuweir, a damp, rocky canyon that opened into a tropical oasis. Since returning home, I’ve been searching for more hiking opportunities and am keen to continue this newfound hobby. 

Another hobby I picked up was stargazing. Camping in the desert under clear, unpolluted skies gave me a new appreciation for the night sky. I learnt about the Arab influence and contributions to contemporary Western astronomy and the mythology behind the stars, characterised by dramatic tales of love and betrayal.

Being in Jordan also gave me access to new and different environments. I had the chance to volunteer with a charity, Squash Dreamers, that empowers young refugee girls through education and sports, helping many of them secure scholarships to study in the UK. I also visited the Gaza Camp in Jerash to interview a local about mental health within the camp.  These hands-on experiences offered me a deeper understanding of global issues—insights that would have been difficult to access in the UK.  

At the heart of my experience of studying abroad in Jordan has been a story of personal growth, expanding my worldview, and embracing new experiences that have challenged and inspired me.