So I had planned on going abroad this Summer to Jordan...

alanna91

It would do wonders for my Arabic, and it would be an incredible experience. I don't want to go abroad to Ireland instead, I already speak English fluently. I've been doing that my whole life >_>
I'm getting literally no support from anyone. They apparently think me studying abroad in Jordan means I'll be gallavanting around near the mobs in Egypt.
My boyfriend thinks I should wait until next year, and he has a point because I should be gone for about a month this Summer for AFROTC training anyway (It would be hard to be away from him that long...especially if his Macau, China internship was scheduled right when I got back.)

What do you all think?

It's all very sudden and upsetting...

bethsmiles

I love lists so I would make a pro/con list. If it would be better to wait a year then it will still be a great experience then too. But don't not go just because you think you will miss your BF too much. Long distance sucks (I know BF and I were long distance for about 9 months) but it wouldn't last forever and LDR can really strengthen your relationship and bring out issues that need to be worked on.

Its hard to tell you whether or not you should go because I don't know all the details of your life and whatnot but I think you should do whatever you feel would be the best for you.

heyimbren

IMO the Middle East is never what my family would consider "safe and settled" either as much as I would like to travel there.
But why do you want to go to Jordan specifically? What would you be doing there? What are your options if you don't go?

And what's so sudden and upsetting about this?

But you're right Jordan =/= Egypt.

calindi

I say go!  I impulsively decided to study abroad in China while I was in college, and it was honestly the best decision I've ever made (personally or professionally).  This was during the avian flu scares, so my parents were convinced I was going to die, so I do understand the nervous parent bit.  My entire family thought I'd gone nuts, and I had no support in this decision.  I did a lot of research and sent them lots of newspaper articles on benefits of knowing Chinese and found people who had been there to tell my parents that it was okay.  Eventually, they were convinced and very proud of me.

Honestly, you'll miss your BF, but it's not a good reason to not go.  You don't knwo what will happen by next summer, so don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today.  You don't want to get to your 50th birthday and wish you had gone to Jordan.  Trust me, in the long run you won't regret 2 months apart from your BF because you will have spent years together overall, and you'll both be better for your individual experiences and growth such as going to Jordan and/or China.  Especially if you are considering military careers, time apart is the norm.  You can't let solid experiences pass you by because you'd have to be apart.

I try to live my life with the idea that I never want to say to myself "What if?"  Some of my best decisions have been made by saying, "Well, why not?  If I don't try, I might regret it!"

mookow86

This is mookows FI, I hijacked her account once she said someone was wanting to go to Jordan (as she looks over my shoulder while I write this). 

I went to Jordan in 2009 for about a week (was in Egypt for about 2 weeks before that).  I would recommend going in a heart beat.  The protests in Egypt are scary right now, but Jordan seems to be fine, even though they did have some protests a few weeks back.    Jordan is a very Westernized country by Middle Eastern standards.  They are kind of like the Switzerland of the Middle East, small and neutral.  They try to not care about the dealings of neighboring countries (Israel, Iraq, etc).

The people are fantastic, and although everyone you'll likely meet speaks English, it is a good place to practice your Arabic as I did the exact same.  I've never met a culture so nice and welcoming as the Islamic/Middle Eastern culture.  If you are looking to travel around, the places I went to were Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra, Madaba, and Amman (south to north).  Wadi Rum and Petra were my personal favorites, just from Petra being Petra (you really need 2 full days there) and Wadi Rum is an incredibly beautiful and desolate desert.  Stay at a Bedouin Campsite where you get cots in a tent, and make sure you go on a long 4x4 ride in the desert.  It is unbelieveable.    They also have camel racing.. but I didn't have time to go to one.     You also should go swim in the dead sea!   

I think you should go to Jordan, because it is truly a unique experience and something you have to see to understand.  I still have disbelief that I went sometimes because it was such a good experience.  If you have any more questions about Jordan I'd be happy to hijack her account again.   I wrote a blog on my daily adventures in Jordan at http://www.travelpod.com/members/jeremystravels too.

Hazel_B

A friend of mine went to Jordan travelling and loved it. Therefore, I've only heard great things about Jordan. Mind you I think he had a different experience than a woman would have. He barely ever saw the women in the Jordanian family that he was staying with.  So, I don't think a lot of his experiences would apply to you.

However, I think you should wait a little bit to see what happens with the government. The King just dissolved parliament there within the last month. I'm not saying don't go, but with unrest throughout Northern Africa and into the Middle East I'd want to make sure the government is a little more settled before commiting myself to the trip. That being said, everything I've seen seems very positive about the government there, the people are supporting the decision of the King because he's popular and are being patient with the situation.

PaigeMcC

Traveling is an exciting experience that I would never pass up (unless my life would be put in danger by said travels).  I saw DO EEEEEET

marleylikeair

Do it. Seriously, do it. That's all I have to say.

MissOwl

i agree with everyone. do it! you definitely should. 

musikbx

I just want to pipe in and give some words of encouragement.

I am currently applying to a number of programs abroad, a couple of them in countries that are pretty questionable right now. Among these programs, one of them is in North Sudan. Another could potentially send me to the Ivory Coast. Both are having huge political issues right now. Additionally, all of these programs last 9 months to a year (some longer.)

With that background, my advice is as follows:

1. Keep yourself current and informed. While it's pretty unlikely, there is always the chance that the protests could spread. That being said, even if something happens in Jordan not all protests are as violent or as long lasting as the ones going on in Egypt at the moment.  If you are thinking of going, it's important to keep an eye on developments in the region. Check the news daily, particularly local sources. Watch the political developments and decide accordingly.

2. You have to examine your real reasons for reconsidering. Is it possible that you are just anxious, and looking for excuses not to go? You need to be true to yourself, and decide what you really want to do.  It's good to get advice from others, but at the end of the day - it's your life. Are you going to look back in 15 or 20 years and kick yourself for not going?

3. Yes, the time apart sucks. On the other hand, distance makes the heart grow fonder ;-) Your time abroad will really help you to grow as an individual, and that is a great thing! Not only for you, but for your relationship. Not to mention how proud your partner will be of you for doing this :-)

4. You have nothing to lose by submitting an application. Even if you apply and are accepted, you haven't committed to anything yet. Apply and see what happens! Decide once you know what your options are.

alanna91

Reading the responses got me excited for this all over again. The application isn't supposed to be in until late March, so I still have about a month to make sure I'm ready for it...and @Hazel_B, I think that's what my family is worried about...me not making sure it's settled and safe before committing.
@mookow86's FI: I'm definitely going to read that blog. I wish I could have a travel blog like that, and maybe I can someday! It's great to hear a first hand experience that's so positive. You can't get desert 4x4 rides in London.
@calindi: I always say "In twenty years, you'll be more upset with what you didn't do than what you did.", you're so right.
@musikbx: I'd love to hear what happens with your study abroad apps. My 11 month old cousin's mother is from the Ivory Coast, and she wants to visit with her daughter. A few people in my family think it's a bad idea, but she grew up there so I trust her opinion on whether it's truly safe or not. Also, you're very right about me having nothing to lose. Since I started typing this I decided I'll definitely submit an app. If I get accepted, it's meant to be anyway

As for why I chose Jordan,
My university offers about ten different study abroad programs. Between those ten programs that offer how ever many countries each, Jordan was the only Arabic speaking country I could find. I guess they think the entire world consist of England, Ireland, and Australia! If the only country I could find was Iraq, unfortunately I don't think I would have jumped at the chance. But like another poster said, Jordan is like Switzerland (haha)

Also, I'm not worried about what will happen with our relationship, but I'm worried about how much I'll miss him. Yet, I'm sure with Camel Racing I'll have myself pretty occupied! I know when he's in Macau I'll miss him, but I know I wouldn't want that to cause him to not go. These opportunities are too great to pass up.

Wow, if I only I could write this much on my Political Philosophy paper due tomorrow...

rawansawalha

<div>Jordan is not Egypt, but it can be just as magical. Think about Petra- it is one of the world's 7 wonders and there is <em>nothing </em>like it. Yes, Egypt has the pyramids (but so do Mexico). Jordan is considerably safer than Egypt (think the riots in Febraury 2011). Also, if you are religious, Jordan has great religious sites such as the baptism site for Jesus Christ and Aaron (Moses's brother) tomb. </div><div>
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</div>In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_planned-going-abroad-this-summer-jordan?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f14911e6-0d84-48fa-bc33-7ae7e10f93a7Post:ed012912-ce57-4d52-bc18-dc8aa2e64af3">Re: So I had planned on going abroad this Summer to Jordan...</a>:
[QUOTE]IMO the Middle East is never what my family would consider "safe and settled" either as much as I would like to travel there. But why do you want to go to Jordan specifically? What would you be doing there? What are your options if you don't go? And what's so sudden and upsetting about this? But you're right Jordan =/= Egypt.
Posted by heyimbren[/QUOTE]