Audrey Kim

Hi! I’m Audrey, a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Middle Eastern Studies and World History. My semester abroad took an unexpected turn — I began the year in Amman, Jordan, where I was fully immersed in Arabic language and culture, living with a host family who taught me so much about Jordanian values and life. Then, a month and a half in, our program was evacuated, and I spent the rest of my semester in Rabat, Morocco. While this transition was abrupt, it opened up an entirely new world of dialects, culture, and community.

What struck me most throughout both experiences was the strength of Middlebury’s support. Whether I was navigating the chaos of an evacuation or adjusting to life in a new country, the staff from both programs never let me feel alone. That sense of being genuinely looked after made all the difference.

Through these two programs, I’ve deepened my Modern Standard Arabic and picked up Jordanian Amiyya and Moroccan Darija, gained a richer understanding of how diverse the Arab world truly is, and built a community of friends and peers that I’ll carry with me long after graduation.

If you’re considering Middlebury’s programs in Jordan or Morocco, I’d love to talk. Feel free to reach out anytime!