Qasid finds natural Arab cultural opportunities for its students to be immersed. Beyond the classrooms Qasid creates intimate immersion experiences and events where they will connect with local Bedouin families? daily lives, learn how to cook local cuisine, assist in farm cultivation, learn local customs or traditions such as cooking, handicrafts and Olive picking. We also help expand students? Arabic language experience through better understanding and knowledge of present-day Jordan through workshops, Arab culture events and discussions on Jordanian politics, Islam, democracy, media, arts, human rights, the role of refugees, and multiculturalism.
We provide each incoming student a rich, visually-compelling series of detail through Jordan?s historical sites, including Tracing Islam in Jordan. With Jordan being the site of ancient ruins such as Petra (one of the New Seven Wonders of the World), Ottoman architecture in the town of Salt, or burial sites of religious figures dear to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions, Qasid students never exhaust the opportunities that Jordan has to offer.
It is worth noting Jordan?s physical location is referred to in the Qur?an as part of the Sham (or ?the Levant?), Holy Land, an area where prophets made special prayers, treaded and walked its valleys and hilltops. Tombs and meeting-areas of the Prophets and Sahaba (Among whom are: Harun, Shu?ayb, Dawud, Sulaiman, Nuh, Lut, Yahya, Ayub, Abu Ubaida, Mu?ad Ibn Jabal);
Eco-tourism trips are a unique undertaking in Jordan. With a commitment to natural landscape preservation and environmental appreciation? whether it?s hiking through the rolling mountain terrain of Orgen, enjoying the staggering beauty of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, horseback riding in the Basalt desert, floating on the lowest point on earth ??The Dead Sea?, Scuba diving in Aqaba, Qasid encourages its students to take advantage of these opportunities. For those curious to learn more about Jordan, periodic trips to local museums and ancient cultural sites, as well as lectures by invited guests, are organized.
We encourage prospective students to visit?www.visitjordan.com?for a full treatment of what Jordan has to offer.
A few of the landmarks:
- Wadi Rum (Absolutely stunning landscapes ? ideal for camping; adventurous souls can stay overnight with local Bedouins deep in the heart of the desert);
- The Prophet?s Tree (Famous tree near which the Prophet met the monk Bahira and later the monk Nestor;
- Petra (Red-rose city ? depicted in ?Indiana Jones III?);
- Yarmouk (one of the central battles of early Islamic history was fought here);
- Ajloun (Site of Salahadin?s famous castle built at the time of the Crusaders);
- Cave of the Seven Sleepers (Site of the well-known Qur?anic and Biblical story);
- Umm Qais In the northwestern hills above the Jordan Valley, are Roman ruins. The site is striking with views of Green Jordan, Golan Heights and the sea of Galalee.
- Karak Castle
Especially in today’s globalized world, it is extremely important to know foreign languages and to demonstrate understanding of foreign cultures. Living a balanced and enriching life is a concept that lies at the core of Qasid?s philosophy. Our Student Support department thus coordinates a variety of travel opportunities that are intended to fit the collective and individual needs of our diverse student body. Our experienced Qasid team who are well connected with local people and versed in Middle eastern Culture, traditions and tourism offer and organize fun and memorable trips that give the student the opportunity to dive into civilizations and cultures that they would not otherwise be exposed to. Thus, to further immerse and enhance the students? Arab language experience in this competitive world we offer trips to:
- Jerusalem
- Cairo
- Muscat
- Beirut
- Istanbul
For more information about immersion and travel in the Middle East contact Hani Aljamal on h.aljamal@qasid.com