Jordan: Water and Environmental Policy in the Middle East

  Jordan

Amman

Term: Summer 

Description: Explore region-specific examples of appropriate technologies and their applications to sustainable development. While non-appropriate technology drains natural resources and forces society to fit the technology, appropriate technology fits and respects local culture and its resources. Students investigate how nongovernmental organizations and government agencies are adopting more appropriate technology in the energy, environmental, and tourism sectors to foster change, promote peace, preserve the region's rich cultural heritage, and protect the environment.

Based in the Jordanian capital of Amman, this program looks at contemporary local and regional issues relating to realities of arid countries, how the supply (or lack thereof) of resources has affected both internal and intra-regional dynamics, and the organizations and efforts underway to resolve these issues.

Highlights: MDES 3100: Appropriate Technology and Sustainable Development Seminar (6 credits/90 class hours)
Lectures, active learning experiences, site visits, and discussions on: history, peoples, cultures of the region; issues, efforts, and organizations involved with appropriate technology; the impact of government policies on water and other resources; the impact of refugees on scarce resources; environment and conflict; ecotourism.

ARAB 1002: Jordanian Colloquial Arabic (2 credits/30 class hours)
A rigorous two-week intensive course in Jordanian Colloquial Arabic. The emphasis is on basic oral expression and listening comprehension.

Educational Excursions:
Aqaba, Badia, Dana Nature Reserve in Jordan. Other excursions outside of Jordan (conditions permitting) may include Jerusalem, Ramallah, Eilat, and the Sinai to help students understand a variety of perspectives.

Homestay:
One week with rural Bedouin families, and other arrangements as appropriate.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: contact sponsor

Experience Required: yes

Student Eligibility: At least one semester of col-lege-level work at the time of application and good academic standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Prerequisites: Coursework in sustainable development, environmental engineering, or other related field.

This Program is open to American and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Jordan in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Scholarships are Available. To make study abroad opportunities available to a wide range of students, SIT Study Abroad offers a variety of scholarships. We base all scholarship awards on need and merit. Awards range from $500 to $5,000. For a full list of scholarships, and to download a scholarship application, please visit our web site.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

SIT Study Abroad's Mission Statement: SIT Study Abroad is the accredited higher education institution of World Learning, a private, nonprofit international organization promoting international and intercultural understanding, social justice, and economic development through education, training, and field projects around the globe. SIT prepares students to be interculturally effective leaders, professionals, and citizens through SIT Study Abroad, undergraduate, field-based academic programs operating in more than 50 countries worldwide, and thorough short-term professional training and graduate degrees in language teaching, conflict transformation, international education, social justice in intercultural relations, management, and sustainable development.

Year Founded: 1932