By Alex Yacoubian
I am spending the summer in Amman, Jordan where I am enrolled in the CET program at the University of Jordan. I am taking intensive Arabic courses in both Modern Standard Arabic and the Jordanian dialect. In addition, I am interning two days a week at a local non-profit called Partners-Jordan. The mission of Partners-Jordan is to advance civil society and encourage citizen participation in Jordan's social and political development. To accomplish this, the organization works closely with the local community to create a platform for partnerships between government and civil society organizations. It has been intriguing to see how NGOs operate in Jordan and how they differ from U.S. organizations.
How does your internship sponsor or agency contribute to the mission of national security?
Partners-Jordan’s work contributes to national security through non-kinetic counterterrorism measures in the region. By promoting greater inclusiveness in Jordanian politics, the organization helps ease feelings of alienation and hopelessness that have caused individuals to turn to terrorism. In addition, Partners-Jordan promotes good governance and organizational management that fosters a spirit of trust and cooperation between the people and the local government. Such initiatives increase the government’s credibility within the local community and give the people a voice in the decision-making process. The pluralism and freedom of expression that Partners-Jordan promotes helps ease social and political tension in the country and, therefore, improves national security both at home and abroad.
Why did you choose this particular country/internship? Please be specific.
After contemplating my summer plans, I knew I wanted to spend the break in the Middle East in order to improve my Arabic language skills. At the same time, I hoped to participate in an internship that would prepare me for a career in international security. The CET Jordan program allows me to do both. The program allows me to gain a greater knowledge of the local language and culture while holding an internship at one of Amman’s most prestigious non-profits. Such an internship enhances my résumé and provides me with a greater insight on the nuances and unique aspects of a global career. Additionally, I believe that a summer in Jordan will complement my past experiences living in the UAE and provide me with a broader understanding of the region as a whole. The program’s language pledge and immersive environment has accelerated my command of the Arabic language and the regional dialect in particular.
What are two interesting things about [country you visited or company you worked for] that the average person doesn't know?
I believe that many people would be surprised by Jordan’s diversity. The country is a melting pot of different cultures due to the influx of refugees from Palestine, Syria, and Iraq. There are nearly 2 million refugees living in Jordan due to the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts alone. In addition, around 70% of the Jordanian population is of Palestinian descent. The population diversity creates an interesting mix of local Bedouin traditions and outside influences that are reflected in the streets of Amman. The second thing I have learned during my time in Jordan is the extent of the country’s economic crisis. The sizeable refugee population has put extreme pressure on the already weak economy, plunging the Kingdom into even greater debt. The government’s recent attempt to pass austerity measures led to widespread protests that caused the prime minister and his cabinet to resign. After talking to a number of Jordanians, the overwhelming sentiment is that government corruption and incompetence has lead to the poor economic conditions. Many locals feel that the economic measures bail out the government at the expense of the Jordanian people, who have seen taxes increase on everyday items such as fuel and electricity. It seems that the situation remains unresolved and people have little confidence in the government’s ability to improve matters. In sum, it is certainly an interesting time to be on the ground in Jordan.
How does your internship sponsor or agency contribute to the mission of national security?
Partners-Jordan’s work contributes to national security through non-kinetic counterterrorism measures in the region. By promoting greater inclusiveness in Jordanian politics, the organization helps ease feelings of alienation and hopelessness that have caused individuals to turn to terrorism. In addition, Partners-Jordan promotes good governance and organizational management that fosters a spirit of trust and cooperation between the people and the local government. Such initiatives increase the government’s credibility within the local community and give the people a voice in the decision-making process. The pluralism and freedom of expression that Partners-Jordan promotes helps ease social and political tension in the country and, therefore, improves national security both at home and abroad.
Why did you choose this particular country/internship? Please be specific.
After contemplating my summer plans, I knew I wanted to spend the break in the Middle East in order to improve my Arabic language skills. At the same time, I hoped to participate in an internship that would prepare me for a career in international security. The CET Jordan program allows me to do both. The program allows me to gain a greater knowledge of the local language and culture while holding an internship at one of Amman’s most prestigious non-profits. Such an internship enhances my résumé and provides me with a greater insight on the nuances and unique aspects of a global career. Additionally, I believe that a summer in Jordan will complement my past experiences living in the UAE and provide me with a broader understanding of the region as a whole. The program’s language pledge and immersive environment has accelerated my command of the Arabic language and the regional dialect in particular.
What are two interesting things about [country you visited or company you worked for] that the average person doesn't know?
I believe that many people would be surprised by Jordan’s diversity. The country is a melting pot of different cultures due to the influx of refugees from Palestine, Syria, and Iraq. There are nearly 2 million refugees living in Jordan due to the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts alone. In addition, around 70% of the Jordanian population is of Palestinian descent. The population diversity creates an interesting mix of local Bedouin traditions and outside influences that are reflected in the streets of Amman. The second thing I have learned during my time in Jordan is the extent of the country’s economic crisis. The sizeable refugee population has put extreme pressure on the already weak economy, plunging the Kingdom into even greater debt. The government’s recent attempt to pass austerity measures led to widespread protests that caused the prime minister and his cabinet to resign. After talking to a number of Jordanians, the overwhelming sentiment is that government corruption and incompetence has lead to the poor economic conditions. Many locals feel that the economic measures bail out the government at the expense of the Jordanian people, who have seen taxes increase on everyday items such as fuel and electricity. It seems that the situation remains unresolved and people have little confidence in the government’s ability to improve matters. In sum, it is certainly an interesting time to be on the ground in Jordan.