Does anybody have tips for traveling to Jordan?

Question

I'm going to study abroad in Amman next fall and my Turkish boyfriend keeps warning me that it's going to be a huge culture shock (I'm a 19 year old american girl, btw). Does anybody have tips about the culture or society of Jordan? For instance, at first I was thinking about studying in the UAE and the brochure mentioned things like how homosexuality is extremely taboo and never discussed, are there certain taboos or attitudes of Jordan that I should be aware of? Do women have to be covered or accompaignied by a man at all times? (I don't think that's true but my bf keeps telling me that) And what are some cool places to visit? Thanks!

Answer 1

You do not have to be covered to live in Amman- Jordan.
A good percentage of Christians lives in Jordan.
& you will not going to have a cultural chock but you will enjoy observing the different culture of Jordan.
Jordanian people are warm, very helpful for females.
I am an American woman & lived there for sometime. You have no idea how much I enjoyed living there. People were nice to me and everyone helped me to understand the culture.
http://www.visitjordan.com/

I will give you some tips that I used to stay happy & safe in Jordan:

- Dress code: I dressed the same I dress in the US. Especially in Amman, you will not going to have a trouble. Dress casual & decent. Like jeans & T-shirts if you want to walk around or to go downtown.
If you want to go for dinner or a bar, you can put on nice evening dress (skirt & blouse)
You will look good and classy. I used to dress short skirts but not (mini skirts) to stay on the safe side. Not because Jordanians are bad, but because I was alone. Moreover, I did the same thing when I traveled to Europe alone as well.
Avoid wearing mini shorts too. And make sure you don’t walk in the street wearing short shirts.
-Night life:
You will have a huge variety of places that you can go & have fun in weekends. Prices are reasonable and fair. They have many numbers of taxies but I will recommend having your own car. You can find maps to move around in any bookstore.

-People:
Be prepared for Jordanian’s great and generous hospitality. They will invite you to lunch - it is their main meal – and will offer you Arabic meals, coffee and their famous tea. They are really passionate and emotional people. I guarantee you that you will feel welcomed every step of the way.
Even other students and people in the university will offer you free help and will show you around if you ask them.

-swimming
If you love to swim – like me- you will love the weather in Jordan. It’s dry and warm in summer and I use to go to the Marriott hotel swimming pool or the Intercontinental hotel. Swim & tan and have fun. In the weekends, make sure to visit the Dead sea and Petra and many other great historical sites for a change.

So dear, do not hesitate and use this opportunity to learn an entire new culture that you are going to love it and remember it as long as you live. Plus, you are going to make new friends who will take care of you there.

Have fun & enjoy

Answer 2

I lived in Jordan for two years. Amman is a very nice moderate Muslim city. Younger women tend to have on western fashion, some may cover their hair, some may not. In rural areas, you're more likely to see women covering their hair. (It's a bit like Turkey, if you've ever been there to visit boyfriend's family). You will not need to be accompanied by a man -- your bf is either clueless or teasing you. As for culture shock, it will depend on how much international travel you've done...Jordan is a good introduction to the middle East. Studying there should be a lot of fun. I've met lots of people who had studied there and remained to work. There were also Peace Corps volunteers. Have common sense and you'll be fine. Homosexuality is taboo throughout the Middle East but is tolerated in some pockets or urban areas. It's just not really talked about, or at least not until you know people better.

Jordanians are very friendly people and the tourist industry there is well established. Arabic can be intimidating but knowing even just a few phrases like hello (marhaba) or thanks (shukran) will get you a smile from anyone. There are some great clubs with lounge music mixing western and Arabic hits...my favourite is Nai, in the basement of the Howard Johnson's (Funduq al-Qasr) in Sweifeyeh.

Petra is a must, as well as a float in the Dead Sea. You can go camping or take a camel safari in Wadi Rum, near Aqaba. Aqaba is on the Red Sea so nice snorkelling and scuba. In Amman, there's Roman ruins like the ampitheatre. Jerash is also worth seeing (ancient ruins). There's also hot springs near the dead sea, and lots of smaller towns to visit (Salt).

Answer 3

I born and live in Amman. I am Jordanian.
Jordan is a very nice country full of history, nature and religious places.
People here are modern and conservative, educated and welcome the foreigners. we are a family culture. all is about the family. its very important issue.

U will enjoy ur time in Amman.

when u come try to ask about the people culture to avoid the cross cultural that may happen to u if u go to any different culture not just the arab.

as a woman living in this culture, i will try to give u some tips.
first u need to know that not all ppl are the same but in generaly.

the good news that, u can go around without a man's accompany.

People thoughts the foreigner has a lot of money. so be aware about how u r spending the money. dont let anyone to cheat u. especialy taxis.

People here thought the foreigner ladies are easy because they wear clothes showing up their body so please bring clothes that consider as conservating.

when talking to men, keep a distance, no touching or kissing especialy when greeting. don't do that infront of arab people.

respect thier religion, the islam.
ppl love to speak about the islamic religion to the foregner to explain the misunderstanding of islam.
just show respect when they do that.

i have a lot of american freinds and they enjoy to be in jordan

check these sites to get a hint about jordan
www.visitjordan.com
http://www.w2go.com/DiscoverVisitors.php
www.jordan.jo/en

Answer 4

Well I have made 2 trips to Jordan in the last 3yrs both times alone & I am an American girl....Now of course when I arrived there I was with my fiance on the first trip & his family on my 2nd trip I stayed with my inlaws and I will tell you honestly that Jordan is wonderful...the people are sooooo friendly, the country is beautiful and the food is great...as far as places to see there are so many beautiful things from Um Qais in the Northern part all the way down to the southern borders of the Red Sea. I will also include a link so that you may see pictures of Jordan in case you have never seen the vast beauty of this lovely place.

Answer 5

I went out there for about a week and it was a culture shock to a degree. Though I didnt see very many traffic accidents, they drive extremely aggressively. For instance, if there are two lanes headed in one direction, you'll probably see about 4 cars side by side traveling in the same direction. But, we were guests of Royalty out there so we had a driver and interpreter with us at all times. But, they are very western and have very western outlooks on things. The women are extremely western in appearance and very few cover up completely and only some wear a head scarf. I would say the most difficult thing is the language, though, in Amman almost everyone could speak a bit of English. Most signs, menus, etc are in English and Arabic. If you are around where the embassies are, you will run into quite a few Americans anyone. When you go out there, just try and make the acquaintance of someone out there so that they can show you the ropes. Do exercise a bit of caution though, as there is anti-american feeling among some groups.The dead sea is neat (though really hot), Petra is amazing though really touristy, and plan a day there as its enormous. There is also an amazing roman village there (though I cant think of where it was located as we were driven around while there).

Answer 6

I'm Jordanian and i live in Jordan.
i think people up have already answered you. and i dont have much to add.
i know many homosexuals while I'm not and i have no problem with them as friends of mine.
about the culture shock it depends on you how do u imagine it. for sure its Arabic country and wont be same as USA. but i met many ppl came over here and they never mention anything about culture shock

after all, i would help you in anything you need here in Amman. and any extra info i would happy to provide you with.
good luck