Exploring Culture, Language and Context

For eight days, a group of students will have the opportunity to encounter Jordan through an increased awareness of place and culture. Students will explore the physical landscape of Jordan as well as the way in which the place has been captured in  theology, history, and art, among other sources.

For the first portion of the program, students will be housed at Kings Academy and will have an opportunity to  interact with Kings Academy students through evening activities and gatherings. They will deepen their appreciation for Jordan’s rich culture and history, through daily excursions, while enriching their senses through middle eastern food, and by traveling to historic sites.

Program Notes

  • Families are responsible for transportation from U.S.-based airport to the student’s destination for the remainder of the March break.
  • During this trip, students will stay in dorms while at King’s Academy, and hotels, inns, and lodges during their travels around Jordan. They will have meals in the dining hall at King’s, but also eat in restaurants.
  • Please note: This trip conflicts with the March 11 SAT test date.

Program Dates

March 4 – March 11, 2023

Program Eligibility

This program is open to all students with a preference towards those with a demonstrated interest in one or more of the following: Arabic language and culture, and history of the Middle East. All interested students are encouraged to apply by November 6. Financial aid is available to all qualifying students.

Faculty Trip Leaders

  • Lina Al Samawi; Prudence Munkittrick; Julie Schloat

Approx. Trip Cost: $4,000 (*includes estimated round trip airfare from NY based airport)

Deerfield Academy’s Center for Service and Global Citizenship strives to make all of our travel programs affordable and accessible for all students while ensuring a high quality global education experience. While the costs of travel around the world have been rising steadily over the past several years, all of our trips are subsidized, and thanks to the generosity of many we are able to provide robust financial aid for qualifying students.

 

Helpful links

2023 Itinerary

* This itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1:

  • Orientation and Travel day; arrive in Jordan and settle at King’s Academy

Day 2:

  • Exploring Downtown Amman, Roman amphitheaters and the Citadel
  • Evening get together with King’s Academy students – Dinners and Bon fires

Day 3 – 5: 

  • Dead Sea – overnight
  • Wadi Rum – desert exploring and camping
  • Visit Petra
  • Dinner with King’s students

Day 5 – 6:

  • Visit Jerash Roman City
  • Visit Ajloun Castle, overnight at Ajloun Eco Lodges
  • Dinner at Ms. Samawi’s house

Day 7:

  • Calligraphy Workshop
  • Art walk in Weibdeh
  • Jordanian cooking class

Day 8:

  • Travel Back home **

** Families are responsible for transportation from U.S.-based airport to the student’s final destination for the remainder of the March break.

Notes From The Field

Jordan 2018

Jordan #10: Stargazing

Khalyse Benjamin ’21 and Matthew Popkin ’19 describe their final days in Jordan visiting the ancient ruins of Petra and the Wadi Rum desert.

Jordan 2018

Jordan #9: Life is Good

Michael Shalaby (’20) shares his experience in Aqaba with reflections of the impact of his time in Jordan. 

Jordan 2018

Jordan #8: The Human Story is a Mosaic

Erin Hudson (’18) reflects on the power of place, the impact of her travel experience and the evolution of her thought processes since being on the trip.  

Jordan 2018

Jordan #7: A Splash from the Past

Helen Feng (2020) and Gabriella Hu (2021) reflect on their experience at the river Jordan and the connections between spirituality and place.