culture night

Before leaving for our ten-week home stays, we initially spent a few days at the center site where we will return about 1-2/wk. Center days take place at one of the local universities, and all 40 of us get together for various presentations that apply to all of us,   special technical sessions by sector, supplemental language classes, immunizations and any other medical issues you need to discuss with our amazing doctor. Center days feel a little more American but are very busy. Most importantly, we usually get to stay the night and this means we get alone time with our spouse. 

There are about 5-7 people in each training village, as well as a language/cultural facilitator. Everyone in each village is in the same sector: Special Edu, Youth Development, or TEFL. Women all live with their own host family but, because of the gender segregation in Jordanian culture, the men are more difficult to place and therefore live 2-3/house. The mens’ home is usually an attached house or apartment built for a son’s future bride to move into. 

After our initial language class and immunizations, the university and PC staff treated us to a very thoughtful culture night before we headed off to our villages. The university president and the local governor came, along with various people from the the embassy. We were treated to singing, dancing, ceremonial Arabic coffee, henna, and the traditional meal of Jordan- Mansef. By the end, we all were properly stuffed and had danced the Dabka, or at least tried.

{the program}

{university sunset}

{peace corps staff and language/cultural facilitators}

{current volunteers- one from sf. westsiiiiiide}

{talented jordanian dancers}

{newsflash! you’re in jordan}

{blurry but beautiful trainees}

{serious coffee}

{dave & ahmad, LCF}

{henna for the ladies}

{mansef- eat with your hands}