I’ve found that people here are very generous, and they really appreciate it when you try to speak their language, even if it’s just a few words of Arabic.
My Roommates: A Bridge to Understanding
I’ve also been lucky to have two amazing roommates who’ve been a great bridge to understanding the local culture. Both of them are Muslim—one is Ethiopian-American, and the other is Palestinian-American. Even though we come from different backgrounds, we’ve shared a lot of conversations about religion, culture and traditions. I’m a Christian, but I’ve always been really interested in learning more about Islam, and living with my roommates has given me a chance to see their faith up-close. I’ve learned a lot about my friends' daily routines, such as the fact that they pray five times a day and that they fast during the holy month of Ramadan. I even had the opportunity to visit a Masjid (mosque) with them.
Orientation and Integrating with the Culture
Our orientation covered things like traditional gender roles, the importance of family and how to behave in public. Jordan is more conservative than the U.S., and it’s a good idea to dress modestly and be respectful of local traditions, especially in public places, here. My Muslim friends and I also talked a lot about the difference between how men and women interact in public spaces. For example, it’s not ucommon for men and women to walk hand in hand or hug in public, even if they are friends.
