Lessons from Amman – Part 2

December 12, 2019 – Part 2 of lessons from abroad:

Lesson 3: We are small, and that‘s okay!

I’ve written a lot about living in a historical place like Jordan, so I won’t recount what that’s like. However, being in front of such history is a humbling experience. At times, it puts everything in perspective, making you realize how small you are when comparing your life to all of history (and sometimes physically how small you are, like in the photo above at the Temple of Hercules). As a naïve 21 year-old, it makes me think about a lot of things: what is going to be my mark on the world? How will people remember me when I’m gone? In my experience, when you face questions like this, you have two options: let them discourage you, or use them to motivate you. I always try to make it the latter. Just because you’re small doesn’t mean you can’t achieve great things. Who knows, maybe one day, people will pay 1 Jordanian Dinar to see what you contributed to the great narrative of our world.

Lesson 4: If something frightens you, do it.

This is the most important lesson I learned while abroad. Before I left for Jordan in August, I was terrified. How was I going to leave and go to a place where I don’t know the language or the culture, and I don’t know anyone?? I’m 20 years-old, this is crazy! I wish my past self could see me right now. Writing a blog post about everything I learned, going through all my photos, mentally preparing to say goodbye to some of my new best friends, and packing all those souvenirs that I just had to have. I hiked up waterfalls, climbed up mountains, and rode camels through the desert. Over a semester, I traveled to 5 countries, I learned enough Arabic to hold conversations with taxi drivers about a myriad of topics, and I grew a lot as a person. I know it’s cliche to say that being abroad really changes people, but sometimes cliches are cliche because they’re true.

I promise, O Jordan, that one day, I will return. Until then, a piece of me will remain.

.أعدك الاردن, إن شاء الله, سأعود. حتى ذلك الوقت, قلبي سيبقى مع أنت

Thanks again to all my readers. Your constant support of me and my blog was immensely appreciated throughout the semester.

-Matt