International Studies Abroad (ISA) Expands Program Offerings to Middle East

AUSTIN, Texas, April 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- International Studies Abroad (ISA), a study abroad program provider based in Austin, Texas, proudly announces a new study abroad opportunity for North American university students in Amman, Jordan at Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) starting in the spring of 2011.  This groundbreaking opportunity is the only program in Jordan that allows U.S. students to take classes alongside Jordanian students through a U.S. program provider.  

AAU is the oldest private university in Jordan and hosts students from around the globe.  During this program, students will gain a greater understanding of Jordan and the Middle East.  The program coursework focuses on Arabic language and culture, along with a wide array of courses taught in English.  Considered a "critical language" by the U.S. Department of State, the Arabic language has been a growing area of study at the university level in the United States.

"One goal is to help expand and enhance Americans' perspectives of the Middle East by allowing students to study in the heart of a historically-rich and pivotal region of the world and encouraging them to interact positively with Jordanian students" says Bill Clabby, ISA Executive Vice President of Research and Special Programs. "Jordan, a key ally of the United States, is an ideal country in which to study in the Middle East because of its history of peace and reconciliation."

At AAU, ISA students will have the opportunity to learn about Jordanian culture first-hand on a safe, modern, well-equipped campus with state-of-the-art facilities.  The female students will have the option to be housed in on-campus dormitories or in apartments in the center of Amman, and the male students will be placed in apartments.  An ISA resident staff member will provide the students with 24-hour on-site support and will lead them on excursions and cultural activities.  

Al-Ahliyya Amman University President, Dr. Maher Salim, will visit the ISA headquarters in Austin, Texas on April 21, 2010 to sign the official cooperation agreement between ISA and AAU with ISA President and CEO, Gustavo Artaza.  Following the event, President Maher Salim and ISA representatives will visit several U.S. universities to promote the new program.  

As ISA expands into new countries and continents, the service and student support that has been the hallmark of their study abroad programs for over 20 years remains constant. ISA continues their dedication to providing university students the opportunity to discover, learn, and explore foreign cultures while earning college credit and receiving on-site support for the best value possible.

For more details about study abroad with ISA, please contact Dominick Luciano or visit www.studiesabroad.com.

SOURCE International Studies Abroad (ISA)