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.
March 22, 2018
Jordan
Exploring Culture, Language and Context
For nine 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 part of the program, students will be housed at King’s Academy and will have an opportunity to interact with King’s 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, floating in the Dead Sea, hiking to one of the seven wonders of the world, Petra, camping in the desert under the stars, and exploring the beauty of the Arabic language, art and calligraphy.
Program Notes
- This program may conflict with some winter term Athletic post season tournaments.
- This program conflicts with the March 9 SAT test date.
- 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.
- Families are responsible for transportation from U.S.-based airport to the student’s destination for the remainder of the March break.
Program Dates
March 2 – March 11, 2024
Program Eligibility
This program is open to all students with preference given to those who are currently enrolled in Arabic. All interested students are encouraged to apply by November 5. Financial aid is available to all qualifying students.
Faculty Trip Leaders
- Lina Al Samawi; Anna Delwiche
Approx. Trip Cost: $5,250 (*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
- CDC and State Department briefings on travel to Jordan.
2024 Preliminary Itinerary
* This itinerary is subject to change.
March 2: Departure from NY JFK to Amman
March 3:
- Orientation and Travel day; arrive in Jordan and settle at King’s Academy
March 4:
- Morning class at King’s
- Afternoon Cooking Class
- Exploring Weibdeh Neighborhood
- Evening get together with King’s Academy
March 5:
- Visit to downtown Amman, Citadel, and Roman Amphitheater
- Walk and explore Rainbow street
- Dinner at King’s Academy
- Dabkeh Dance Class
March 6:
- Mount Nebo and Dead Sea visit
March 7 – March 9:
- Hike to Petra and camping in Wadi Rum
March 10
- Calligraphy class
- Visit to Jerash Roman City
- Late lunch at Ms. Samawi’s house
March 11
- 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 #9: Life is Good
Michael Shalaby (’20) shares his experience in Aqaba with reflections of the impact of his time in Jordan.
March 19, 2018
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.
March 17, 2018
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.
March 16, 2018