Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

U. Rhode Island student shares experiences from studies in Jordan
By Laurel Lederman
The Good Five Cent Cigar (U. Rhode Island)
04/14/2006

(U-WIRE) KINGSTON, R.I. — Instead of going to Europe to study abroad like many of his peers, Ryan Lospaluto, a junior at the University of Rhode Island, chose a different path. Lospaluto took it upon himself to do something different and studied in Jordan for the fall 2005 semester. Lospaluto is a Political Science major and had studied a year of Arabic before embarking on his journey to the Middle East.

"I wanted to study abroad to learn more Arabic and experience Arabic culture," Lospaluto said. "Learning Arabic and experiencing the taste of it was amazing. The culture is beautiful and very different from ours. I figured there was no better way of learning about Jordan than going there," he said.

Lospaluto traveled with 26 students from other schools through the Council on International Educational Exchange. The group studied at the University of Jordan in Amman.

Lospaluto's parents and friends were hesitant to send him overseas.

"My parents weren't too excited at first, neither was my girlfriend. Most of my friends were pretty concerned. My parents warmed up to the idea after they were convinced by missionary family friends who lived in the Middle East and said that it was a lot safer than it seemed," Lospaluto said.

Lospaluto added, "I was a little nervous because I didn't know what to expect. I actually had no expectations, which enhanced my experience. I couldn't be disappointed. I didn't really have an idea of what it would be like."

During the trip, Lospaluto went on a four-night, five-day excursion to Israel. He explored Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv and Bethlehem. Lospaluto described it as "very western."

Besides the Israeli excursion, Lospaluto had the opportunity to experience Jordan up close and personally by living adjacent to a Jordanian family.

"We rented an apartment from a Jordanian family and got really close to them. I learned a lot about family structure, and arranged marriages," Lospaluto said. "They had four sons ranging in ages from 20 to 28, so we got more of the Jordanian college experience through them."

Lospaluto said the Jordanian family structure is patriarchal and the family he stayed with has arranged marriages.

"The father of this family chose the girl for his son," Lospaluto said. "He told him when he was getting engaged. I learned a lot about values and tradition from these people."

At the university, Lospaluto studied the Arabic language and political science classes. Arabic classes at Amman, Lospaluto said, were more challenging than those offered at URI. However, the political science classes were comparable.

"There was a lot of homework," Lospaluto said.

Both of Lospaluto's professors had been to the United Stated before, and one had taught in the United States.

Even though Jordan is officially a constitutional monarchy, Lospaluto learned from a professor that there is no true freedom of the press in Jordan.

"One of my professors writes for a column for a major newspaper and told us that there are some things you just don't write about," Lospaluto said.

Lospaluto commented on how rigid the Jordanian government is in terms of higher education.

"When students graduate high school they take a test. Based on how well they score is whether or not they get to study what they want in college. The government basically tells you what you can study," Lospaluto said.

The group received a lot of stares from Jordanian students as they walked around campus.

"I wasn't really uncomfortable. It was more like, why is everyone looking at me," Lospaluto said.

Lospaluto added, "Everyone I met wanted to come to America. Some even asked if I could get them a Visa. I felt like royalty because at certain gates in the university the guard didn't check for ID's because we were white."

Although Lospaluto did not experience anti-American feelings, some of his fellow travelers did.

"One kid had an encounter with an Iraqi taxi driver who pulled a knife on him and locked him in the cab," Lospaluto said. "Other kids experienced hurtful slurs like you stupid American."

The group accidentally stumbled upon an anti-American rally while they were in Jordan.

"We thought it was a concert for some reason, but it ended up being a Palestinian rally," Lospaluto said.

He added, "I saw things you only hear about on the news."

Lospaluto had the opportunity to explore Jordan geographically. Three highlights of Lospaluto's were the cities of Petra and Amman, and the Wadi Rum, a desert land reserve.

"Petra was beautiful," Lospaluto said. "The whole city was buildings carved into cliffs made of red sandstone. Wadi Rum was cool because at sunset the whole desert changes color."

"My first experience was in Amman, so I will always remember it," Lospaluto said. "It's so diverse and a great place. It has everything you could want in a city. It has two parts, a very ancient Arabic side, and a western side."

Lospaluto added that Amman had ancient Arabic flavor.

After experiencing Jordan through a structured program, Lospaluto wants to return to Jordan on his own and possibly work there after college.

"It has opened me up to so many possibilities. My idea of the world has changed. This trip helped me get over stereotypes. I have more of a desire now to travel and understand other cultures after this experience," Lospaluto said.

Aside from education and travel, Lospaluto will always remember certain connections he made during his stay.

"My most memorable experiences were with the Jordanians," Lospaluto said. "One of the kids we lived next to gave me prayer beads and a cross. He told me he wanted me to have it because it was his most prized possession. He told me he needed me to take it so I would always remember him. It really impacted me how people from different cultures can connect."

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