Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the Conflict and the Struggle for Peace: Explorations in Ireland and the Middle East program in Dublin, Ireland, and Amman, Jordan. 

For regular updates about webinars we run about this course, deadlines, and scholarships, please sign up for more information on our Peace & Conflict Interest List. 

If your inquiry is not listed below, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. who can answer your question or direct you to the appropriate FIE or Amideast staff member.

• ACADEMICS 
• SAFETY
• TRAVEL
• LOGISTICS

ACADEMICS 

Where are the syllabi for the two courses taken during the program?

• Links to both courses can be found on the Academics page of the FIE website.
• In Dublin: Life Cycle of Peace and Conflict: Lessons Learned in Northern Ireland 
• In Amman: 

  Views from Jordan: Humanity and the Future in the Wake of “Peace” and Uprising

  (formely know as Conflict Resolution and Management: Beyond the Arab-Israeli Conflict)

Please understand that this is an academically rigorous program. Whilst in Ireland, students will not have any opportunity to travel independently due to timetabling. Students who elect to travel during the Amman portion of their program should be mindful of the intensity and their academic obligations as well as the cultural value of spending time with their host families. Most, importantly, students must strictly adhere to Amideast’s student travel policy.

How much academic credit can I earn for each portion of the program, including Arabic?

• The amount of credit given for the program varies depending on FIE’s relationship with your home campus please email Dr. Grahaeme Hesp for specific information.

Are all levels of Arabic guaranteed to be offered?

• Beginning Arabic is subject to minimum enrollment although in recent years it has been offered.

SAFETY

Are the homestay families welcoming to Jewish students?

• We have successfully placed Jewish students with Jordanian families. If you indicate on the preference form that you would prefer a family that has hosted Jewish students previously, we can do our best to meet this preference. It is also valuable for us to know if you have any particular dietary restriction, such as kosher.”

Is Jordan safe?

• From our partner, Amideast, “Student safety is our number one priority. Amideast has been working in the Middle East/North Africa for more than 60 years.  Amideast maintains a close relationship with US Embassies in the region and you will be advised to register with the embassy prior to departure. Amideast staff members constantly monitor the political and security situation in host countries and in other surrounding countries in the region.”

• Further information is also found on FIE's general Health and Safety page. 

TRAVEL

Do I need a visa for Ireland?

• No. Only students who are studying in Ireland for longer than 90 days need a visa. 

Do I need a visa for Jordan?

• US National - If you are a US citizen, you do not need to obtain a visa before departing the US, but you will need to purchase a visa at the airport when you arrive in Amman. The current cost of the visa in Jordan is less than $100 USD.

• Other nationals – If you are not a US citizen, you should contact the Jordanian embassy in your country of citizenship to inquire about visa requirements. Amideast staff in Washington may be able to assist you if you encounter difficulties but will need to know immediately if that is the case as sometimes it takes more than a month for a Jordanian visa to be issued from a consulate in the US.

• More information can be found on the Amideast Jordan FAQ page.

How should I plan my round-trip air travel from the US to Dublin, then Amman to the US? 

• FIE and Amideast provide the dates of the Peace & Conflict program to students. You must be present during those dates, so please organize your own travel arrangements to and from Dublin accordingly.

Do I have to fly back to Dublin after the program concludes in Amman? What if I want to travel before or after the program?

• FIE purchases a group roundtrip flight from Dublin to Amman and back again on the dates provided.

• Please be aware that if you decide to extend your stay in Amman beyond the program dates then you are responsible for your own transportation, housing, insurance, visa, and other logistical arrangements. Students should note that after the departure day noted on the academic calendar, the program-provided insurance coverage will end and you must arrange for accommodations outside of Amideast shared apartments, Amideast host families, or the hotel in Dublin. Contact details of our travel agent can be provided upon request if you wish to change your travel plans when leaving Amman for a fee to be covered by the student.

• The Peace and Conflict program is intensive, as is the Arabic extension.  Whilst in Ireland, students will not have an occasion to travel independently due to timetabling.  Students who elect to travel during the Amman portion of their program should be mindful of the intensity and their academic obligations as well as the cultural value of spending time with their host families.  Most, importantly, students must strictly adhere to Amideast’s student travel policy. 

LOGISTICS

What kind of orientation and information will I receive upon arrival?

• Dublin

  • Following arrival and check-in, students participate in FIE’s extensive orientation. The orientation includes sessions on relevant academic and student life information.

• Amman

  • FIE arranges your round-trip flight from Dublin to Amman. Upon arrival in Amman, a representative from Amideast will greet you at Queen Alia International Airport and provide transportation to your accommodation. Your orientation in Amman is presented by Amideast staff members and is designed to introduce you to:

    • Jordanian daily and family life

    • Health and Safety

    • Cultural adaptation

    • Program regulations

    • Participant responsibilities

    • IT information

Can I choose my roommate in Dublin and Jordan?

• It is possible to request a roommate for both the Ireland portion of the program and the homestay in Jordan but this must be done by the end of April prior to departure. It is not possible to make a request or to change a request after this time – so choose wisely! Send an email to Dr. Grahaeme Hesp and copy in the person you wish to room with. FIE and Amideast will try to accommodate requests but they cannot be guaranteed.

Explain the housing assignment process for Jordan

• Our partner Amideast states, “Most of the families we place students with have hosted American students before and our selection process for each family is quite rigorous, with the vetting process taking an average of 25 hours”.

I don’t speak Arabic. How will I interact with my homestay family?

• There’s always someone in your homestay family who speaks English so don’t worry. But we’ve found that even students who don’t speak Arabic and who are not taking the Arabic language optional courses end up with a decent level of conversational Arabic by the end of the program!

What kind of food is common in Jordan?

• Jordanian food is a combination of Mediterranean cuisine, predominantly from Lebanon, Syria, Greece, Turkey, and Palestine, with a few distinctly Jordanian dishes.  Restaurants often offer a number of mezze or small dishes, which are often followed by a main dish. Some common mezze includes hummus (cooked chickpeas ground into a paste with tahini, garlic, and lemon), utabal (mashed eggplant and tahini), tabbouleh (parsley, cracked wheat, and tomato salad), and cheese. Most main dishes are made up of chicken, meat kebabs, or meat/vegetable stews. The most famous Jordanian national dish is mansef (lamb or chicken with rice and a thick yogurt sauce). 

Can specific health issues be accommodated (dietary, medical)? Do I have to do a homestay?

• Applications from students with documented disabilities, food restrictions, mental health concerns, etc. are welcomed and accommodations will be made on a case by case basis. Please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. who can answer any questions you may have about the suitability of the program for your needs.
• Depending on the amount of accommodation needed, you may prefer to stay in a hotel at an extra cost.

What is the typical weather in the summer in Ireland and Jordan?

• In Ireland, temperatures usually range between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 21 Celsius) during the summer months with rainy spells.
• In Jordan, summer temperatures are much warmer, with an average of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 Celsius).

How can I utilize my school/state/and or federal financial aid to help pay for the program?

• Check with your study abroad advisor and financial aid counselor on campus to find the best resources for you.
• FIE has additional resources on our Financial Aid page.

Can I utilize my GI Bill?

• Most veterans are able to use their GI Bill to help fund their study abroad experience. 
• FIE has additional resources on our Veterans page.

What scholarships does FIE offer for the Peace & Conflict program?

• FIE offers a specific scholarship for the Peace & Conflict program worth $1000 - details can be found on our FIE Scholarships page

Can I apply for Amideast scholarships in addition to applying for FIE scholarships?

• Yes. Students who are attending the Arabic portion of the program may also apply for Amideast Blog Abroad or Need-Based Scholarships. More information is available on the FIE Other Scholarships page.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

• Please contact Dr. Grahaeme Hesp (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with any additional questions.

How do I apply?

• You will make an application online through FIE’s MyStudyAbroad@FIE portal. More information about the application and admissions process for FIE can be found on our Admissions and Application page.