Teaching English in Jordan

When first hearing the word Jordan, two words might come to mind: Petra and Queen Rania. Many tourists flock each year to see the ruins of the splendid lost city of Petra, as well as other ancient Greek, Roman, and biblical sites. They also come to swim in the Dead Sea and experience the Bedouin way of life.

Jordan has a hot desert climate during the day while being bitterly cold at night. This country has some scenic green valleys to contrast the dryness of the red desert. There are also many colorful outdoor markets throughout the country. The blue waters of the Gulf of Aqaba also delight.

The capital city Amman seems to symbolize the contrasting nature of this culture. In western Amman, the visitor finds luxurious shopping malls and restaurants. This has a more Western feel. Visitors can sit and sip their cardamom coffee and try the calming nargileh (water pipe).

However, east Amman is more religiously conservative than its western half. It also houses many refugees from Palestine. This divide is also a reminder that although Jordan has liberal elements, people are expected to behave in line with these more conservative traditions.

For women, this means dressing modestly. Although foreign women are not expected to cover their heads, they are expected to cover their shoulders, knees, and cleavage. Women who do wear regular Western dress in public are often harassed and receive unwanted sexual advances. However, in private, among expats, women seem to have more freedom.

Jordanians love a good celebration, and regularly have parties to celebrate small or large events. They are friendly to those who respect their modest customs and traditions. They also have some of the best musicians in this part of the world, who often perform in more liberal countries such as Qatar or the UAE.

An interesting fact about the famous Dead Sea in Jordan is the surrounding dry land on the shore is the lowest point of land around the world at 420 meters beneath sea level. The Dead Sea is famous for the fact that you float in the water; this happens because it’s almost 10 times as salty as the ocean!

The official name of Jordan is the “Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan” and their currency is the Jordanian Dinar. It’s also worth noting that it’s considered rude in Jordanian culture to eat and drink with your left hand.

One of the must-do things to do when discovering Jordan is heading to their only National Park, Wadi Rum. Also known as the Valley of the Moon, you have the option of spending the night under the stars during your time there. It’s been home to some of the most loved films over the decades including, Transformers, Star Wars, the Martian, and Lawrence of Arabia.