I was fortunate to have an eye-opening experience in Jordan through the Sustainable Biotechnology Skills-Based Collaborative Learning Program led by Dr. Salwa Al-Noori. The program is focused on developing deeper thinking on sustainable biotechnology development by college age students from organic discussions. As I aim to pursue a degree in biology, the content of this program was a perfect fit for my interest.
Jordan is a semi-arid country situated in the middle of Israel, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Its capital is Amman, where the program is set to be. Did you know the distance between Amman and Gaza is roughly 100 miles? Or about the distance between UW Bothell and the Canadian border. At times, I questioned my decision to join the program, but this factor was the key motivation that encouraged me to participate. I had a thought about two weeks before my departure date; maybe this was a bad idea. The Department of State has issued a level 2 advisory for Jordan, with levels 3-4 in certain areas. News and media sources have not been positive either, telling stories of the situation that all paints a dark image. “War can be unpredictable,” I told myself. On the other hand, I was personally given reassurance by Dr. Al-Noori that it would be fine and that if anything happens, UW will intervene and pull us out of there. My family and immediate close friends also pushed me to participate in the program, as it would be greatly beneficial trip for my personal growth.
My first few days in Amman quickly eliminated many of my previous thoughts about the city. However, the traffic surprised me! Traffic is gridlocked not only in the early mornings and afternoons but even between 10 PM to midnight, and lane markings seem to be more of a suggestion than a rule! Despite these challenges, the positives far outweigh the negatives. The people are incredibly warm and generous, the cuisine is exceptional, and the views are simply breathtaking. Interestingly, Jordan mandates that buildings have a sun-reflective layer, giving them a distinct off-white exterior that blends together to create a serene and cohesive cityscape.
Jordan is a country known for its amazing landscapes and diverse history, shaped by various cultures and influences from the diverse backgrounds of its citizens. I was able to enjoy the amazing views of Petra, Wadi Rum, the Citadel, and the Amman valley, alongside popular dishes like mansaf, falafel, knafeh, and shawarma. During this trip, it was hard for me to not gain a little bit of weight from such good food LOL!
During my time in Jordan, I was given the opportunity to explore the city in my free time, after attending lectures from professors at the Hashemite University and visits to biotechnology related clinics. I was also given the opportunities to interact and collaborate with Hashemite University students and alumni. These experiences gave me a whole new perspective on life on the other side of the world. They encounter challenges like us, live a life not much different from us, and have their school assignments and struggles. They see the struggles of society and how there is much that needs to be changed in their country, similar to how we encounter issues in ours. I learned to connect, to reflect on my struggles, and to put myself in their shoes, see how their solutions to a communal problem may be able to be applied in our situation.
As I reflect on my experiences during the program, I found Jordan to be a very safe and welcoming destination. I had an incredibly positive experience in Amman and local regions in Jordan. The people and culture are all so positive. Thanks to this program, I was able to connect to people of my age that share the same field of interest, while exploring a country I have never been to before! I have learned many things about their culture and how we differ, but how we are also so similar. I came to this country scared, afraid of the unknown situation in neighboring countries. Now I come out brave. I saw how my view was altered by the media and news about the region. I now know things are not all how they appear on news and media sources, truths can be tweaked or altered. When the truth is, we need to connect and see the truth for ourselves, and in my experience, it was amazing to see that truth.
