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By Alex W., YES Abroad 2023-2024 Jordan

In Jordan there are ruins of countless great civilizations who have risen and fallen. The Byzantine empire is one of the most famous examples. The
Byzantines occupied the middle east for a little under 400 years and built several cities and monuments all across the region. One of the most famous examples of these cities is The Amman Citadel located in the middle of the city. The most famous buildings there are the Temple of Hercules, and the Umayyad Palace.
Our second day in Jordan, we were taken on a city tour and visited the citadel. The ruins are insanely impressive and the mountain has a great city view. The archaeological museum at the site is equally as awesome. I knew it was a place I wanted to visit again before I left because I live one mountain over from it.

Fast forward 7 months to Ramadan, I was sitting at home and remembered I can just go to an ancient city ten minutes from my house. I ordered an Uber then there I was. Due to the war, tourism dropped so the place was a lot more peaceful than when I first went. Revisiting the citadel was really nice because I could walk around the entire mountain and take in every little detail. It's baffling thinking about how advanced these civilizations truly were.

After walking around the whole mountain, it was time to head home. Taxis always hang around tourist spots so after haggling the price a little, I hopped in one and went to a roundabout nearby to my house. In the middle of the roundabout was a bazaar I'd never seen before. Inside a large white tent were multiple vendors selling art, crafts, and food. I got a cake pop from a lady and then decided to try a new café.

To casually go and walk through history is a great privilege and I am eternally grateful for all the opportunities this program has given me. Two years ago if you told me I'd be here today I'd call you insane. Yet here I am, anything is possible and if you find yourself reading this APPLY NOW!