Safety & Health
Safety and health of our students and staff are uppormost of our priorities. While there is no guarantee of absolute safety anywhere in the world, Jordan is relatively safe and perhaps statistically safer than most countries in the world, including United States. Our students will be given a comprehensive in-country orientation. We will travel as a group and our students will be housed in secure apartments on the university campus. Our Resident Director and other staff will have direct supervision to ensure safety and minimize risk-taking on the part of our student. Our Resident Director and staff are qualified to handle all sorts of emergencies. Their professionalism, country expertise, and contacts will ensure proper and timely response to help our students. Students (and through them family members) will be supplied with U.S. and Jordanian phone numbers and email addresses prior to departure to Jordan.
We also monitor U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and will not hesitate to cancel or postpone our programs should the security situation in Jordan warrants it. Our students will be encouraged to register with the State Department in order to facilitate assistance by the U.S. embassy in Jordan. Our students are encourage to purchase the International Student Identity Card (cost: $22-25). The ISIC serves as a recognized ID and provides discounts for tickets, but it also provides a free 24 hour emergency helpline. Students can purchase it directly from ISIC.org or from their university's study abroad office. In addition, we monitor the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for health related warnings that could affect our plans. Students need to have all their vaccinations up-to-date.
The health system is a relatively good system, with many doctors and medical specialists trained in the West and often speak English. Medical treatments, including emergenies, in Jordan are relatively inexpensive and most familiar medicines can be obtained (often over the counter) at reasonable prices from pharmacies. Nevertheless, students are encouraged to carry their own insurance, and you if you do not already have insurance, you can buy short coverage for the trip from Cultural Insurance Services International. Students are also encourage to purchase an International Student Idenity Card (ISIC). The ISIC may be purchased from your university's study abroad office or from aband to bring with them all prescribed medications. If you expect to run out of a particular medication, make sure to bring with you a valid, current medical prescription. Our staff will help you navigate the system.
Passports & Visas:
Students must have a passport that is valid for at least six months. If you do not have a valid passport, make sure to apply for one as quickly as possible to guarantee that it will be in hand prior to departure. You can find all the information you need to apply for a passport here.
A passport valid for six months is required of all visitors to Jordan. Citizens of many countries, including the U.S., can obtain an entry visa upon arrival. The cost is $20-25. Alternatively, one can obtain a visa from the Jordanian embassy in Washington, D.C. or from a nearby consulate.
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
Our students are encourage to purchase the International Student Identity Card (cost: $22-25). The ISIC serves as a recognized ID and provides discounts for tickets, but it also provides a free 24 hour emergency helpline. Students can purchase it directly from ISIC.org or from their university's study abroad office.