Maria Osman, an international studies major (certificate in human rights) from Iowa City, Iowa, is studying this fall in Jordan on SIT’s Refugees, Health, and Humanitarian Action program.
Study abroad correspondents provide first-hand accounts of what UI students experience while studying abroad, sharing their stories through photography, writing, and social media posts across our various media channels. Follow UI Study Abroad Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to travel vicariously through Maria.
When did you know you wanted to go abroad?
I had always wanted to go abroad since my freshman year but got the chance this year after completing most of my classes.
How did you pick your program?
My focus is Islamic and Middle Eastern studies, so I knew I wanted to go somewhere in the Middle East and continue to learn Arabic, so I went to the study abroad website and looked for programs through my major. After finding SIT, they had two Arabic-speaking countries as options, so I chose the refugees program since that pertained the most to what I wanted to do.
What are you most excited about?
I am most excited about getting the chance to immerse myself in another culture and meet new people through the program.
