On Oct. 15, 22 NYU Abu Dhabi students, from a collection of countries as diverse as Pakistan, Ethiopia, Korea, and Mexico, boarded an early morning flight from Abu Dhabi to Amman, Jordan. The group, composed of students taking Arabic Intermediate 1, and Shami Dialect courses, headed on a “regional academic seminar” to push their Arabic skills beyond the classroom.

The seminar, supervised by Dr. Khulood Kittaneh, Arabic Studies Program Head, and Mohammed Muqbel, Arabic instructor, aimed to immerse students in Jordanian culture and the Arabic language. To further cement this language-immersion experience, before traveling, students learned how to say bidi instead of ureed (meaning “I want”) and barif instead of a‘rif (meaning “I know”), and before departure, every participant signed a contract to not speak English for the entire duration of the trip.

Subsequent traveling days were equally about linguistic immersion and cultural discovery. Throughout the week, they practiced these expressions while shopping in local souqs, speaking with taxi drivers, sharing meals with Jordanian families, and even greeting the many cats of Amman’s streets. Students found that everyone they interacted with was very understanding and welcoming, and while there were some difficulties getting around with their limited vocabularies, the Jordanian people were very kind and helpful. By the end of the week, students found themselves not only learning about a new dialect but also forming a deeper and stronger connection to the Arabic language.

After landing in Amman and settling down at the Corp Hotel, the group began their journey through the city’s artistic heart. They visited Paris Circle and Dara al-Funun, wandering through local bazaars such as Ali wa Rama, Watan Bazaar, and Tarath Bazaar, before ending the day with dinner at Alo Amman. The first evening set the tone with a blend of art, language, and interactions with local speakers that encouraged students to speak Arabic in real-life conversations beyond textbook knowledge.

The next morning opened with a session led by a group of Jordanian artists and activists who introduced students to the intersection of art, culture, and political expression. In Jordan, the visual arts often carry references to Palestinian and regional identities, a theme that resonated deeply with students throughout the trip – even just walking the streets of Amman, students saw images of Palestine, watermelon, and the keffiyeh filled the streets.

Students met with various representatives from regional humanitarian organizations: Ricky Mubarak, head of “Sawa,” an organization that works with Sudanese refugees; Zein Nshaiwat, Head of Council for International Education Exchange in Jordan; Eman Ismal, regional representative of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies in MENA, which works with UN entities like UNRWA; and Noor Darwzeh, environmental activist.

Later, the group met students at the Applied Science University to exchange experiences and gifts, before they all went to explore Jabal al-Qal‘a and the Roman Theater, followed by strolling through the bustling markets of Wast al-Balad. The day revealed how language operates as both a bridge and a reflection of the society that shapes it. Interactions with fellow Jordanian students were highlights for the language-learning experience.

Friday was devoted to the countryside. The students began with a visit to the Tareq Jundi Academy of Arabic Music where they learned about traditional instruments, such as the oud and daf, and how they intertwine with Jordanian and Palestinian cultural identities. The students even played and sang along to the Jordanian folk song Reidha Reidha.

The journey continued northward to Ajloun, where they explored Rasoun Museum, hiked through Ishtafina Forest, and spent time at a family-run olive farm. Under shades of pomegranate trees and olive groves, they shared tea brewed over an open fire and spoke with local farmers about the olive harvest season.

On Saturday, the group visited Madaba, known for its ancient mosaics and historical churches, before driving to Mount Nebo, where, on a clear day, the hills of Palestine can be seen. Later that afternoon, the students relaxed at the Dead Sea, and concluded the evening with dinner and poetry at Dr. Kittaneh’s home, where students were invited into a Jordanian household to experience hospitality firsthand.

Students met with at least 60 members of Dr. Kittaneh’s family, all from different ages, sharing conversations and stories while listening to traditional music and eating falafel, shawarma, and knafeh. “It was very natural, without any pretense – life just as it is, with all its details,” said Dr. Kittaneh. Students were exposed to different and diverse dialects, cultures, and religions – they met with Egyptians, Palestinians, Christians, Muslims, and Circassians.

Before returning to Abu Dhabi, students met for a final evaluation session with Dr. Kittaneh, where they reflected upon what they had learned and how the experience reshaped their approach to language. Many described Amman as a city with a distinctive character and, as one student said, “artistic, organic, and alive.”

By the end of the journey, Amman had left a lasting impression on these learners: a city that blends modernity with heritage, shaped by art, music, good food, and everyday warmth.

Students who once hesitated to speak Arabic found new confidence in Amman. I spoke to some of them about the highlights of their trip, and they all mentioned the wedding they attended. They listened to Jordanian music (one student played Altaboor for me), and learned how to do dabke, a Levantine folk dance.

Upon talking to Dr. Kittaneh, it turned out this wedding was actually her father’s cousins’ son! Dr. Kittaneh and her husband were invited to this wedding but had considered not attending because she was with the group, but decided to ask if the students could join. To their delight, the hosts agreed. “The students got to share the joy of the wedding– it was a very special experience,” she said.

“Don’t miss any opportunity to speak Arabic. It can feel intimidating at first, but if you truly immerse yourself and make the effort to connect with people, it becomes incredibly rewarding. Jordanians are open and friendly, so don’t hesitate to start conversations and make friends, even if your time there is short; those connections can last,” said Muhammad Arhum Azeem, a student who attended this program, as he advised future students who thought of taking this program.