| I haven't read all the posts (busy night for me) but my son spent last summer in Cairo and plans some future study abroad in the middle east. I would suggest the following :
know what plans are for evacuation in case of medical problems or unrest/terrorism in the area (think of lebanon last summer).
Student should be familiar with the culture (culture shock Jordan is a good book) and do their best to blend into the local culture, including adhereing to conservative customs. (for instance, some egyptian girls in Cairo dress very western in short skirts and tank tops -- American girls would do best to keep legs and arms covered, since that is the more conservative custom)
the coordinating program should be experienced and have good references -- check them out. Make sure that the company has experience in the city and country the student is travelling to.
make sure the student receives an orientation that covers appropriate conduct in the country and is mature enough to adhere to those suggestions. Not every student is ready to study abroad -- if your child likes to "push the envelope" and doesn't take directions from authority well , a study abroad program might not be a good choice.
understand how communications will work -- does the program have an emergency contact? how long to get ahold of a person in the country connected to the program? How will your student contact you? do they have multiple numbers of contacts in the country? have there been communications problems before?
I wouldn't hesistate to send my son to Jordan -- but he is male, can pass for a Syrian, speaks some Arabic and is very level-headed and listens to rules and obeys them -- I might think differently with another student. |