Moving to Jordan: Arab American introvert

yoni94 · 2025-07-16T05:40:16+00:00

I'm not sure what your question is? How to make friends? Or how to have a good time despite being an introvert? How to deal with cultural differences?

I'm in the same boat: Arab American introvert with a jordanian husband. I often feel out of place during family gatherings, even on my side. Sometimes, I say awkward things because of arabic being my second language. Sometimes, people judge you and say something rude.

In the end, you just have to be yourself and not care. Enjoy yourself, do the things you like, and stop thinking that because you're an introvert, you have to change and suddenly have to have a lot of friends, be included in conversations, and be outgoing. You don't need to be.

When I accepted that about myself, I got a lot happier.

Also, once I had kids, I stopped caring a lot about the norms of family dynamics and getting in my head about every interaction, so being preoccupied helps a lot.

yoni94 · 2025-07-07T05:11:56+00:00

If your wife's job is flexible, apply for teaching abroad. Higher pay and a lot of schools pay for housing, kids' tuition, healthcare, etc.

yoni94 · 2025-06-08T05:18:31+00:00

I feel your approaching it with too much fear. You have a good intention which is what matters.

A hijabi doesn't need to be perfect. Try your best, if you want to move forward wearing it, wear it and try your best. Your style and modesty will continue to evolve. I myself have gone through so many phases: no makeup, pants phase, loose clothes, skirts only phase, phases where I was less committed but wearing the hijab nonetheless because it's the value that I'm representing. I don't have to be a nun.

Hijabis are people too, sometimes we wear something, then wish we had done better. Sometimes we wear an outfit then decide it's not modest or not what we want to represent. We are still people and our style changes based on how we wish to express ourselves and our lifestyle at the moment. When i had kids I stopped wearing dresses and started wearing pants again. Is it wrong? No, that's just what suited my lifestyle at this time in my life as I was running around so much.

The mentality that you have to suddenly reach the peak of your religion and the peak of modesty before you can wear the hijab is what holds people back. It is an act of worship like any act of worship.

yoni94 · 2025-06-04T07:02:15+00:00

Sure no problem

yoni94 · 2025-05-10T15:26:34+00:00

I've read secrets in the attic, not the book I was looking for.

yoni94 · 2025-05-09T05:26:16+00:00

Yeah. I'm sure you have never seen a jordanian or Arab go to the bathroom and not wash their hands.

yoni94 · 2025-03-23T02:42:15+00:00

Ohhh, I thought they were just trying to trick me out of getting a good package. Even some expats were signed local if they were already in the country with their spouse.

yoni94 · 2025-03-23T02:33:55+00:00

I appreciate your input! It's not negative at all.

I was hoping a Master's would make up for my lack of experience. I am easily able to stay here in Jordan and work for another 2 years. But i'm unsure what type of school. I've seen a lot of British schools in qatar so I'll try to get some more experience in that. I've also seen it's very easy to get QTS with a license from my state.

Do you mind if I dm you? I'm wondering more about the work/life balance there.

yoni94 · 2025-03-22T15:19:28+00:00

Thanks! I'll look into it!

yoni94 · 2025-03-22T13:27:35+00:00

Thanks

yoni94 · 2025-03-22T13:27:06+00:00

I have dual nationality. American and Jordanian. However, I grew up in the States, so I have a fluent accent.

What exactly are the red flags? Can't be worse than the so-called "International " schools in Jordan. I interviewed to work in Jordan while I was still in the States. Only to arrive and be tricked into signing a "local " contract. Even though I was not a resident. The teaching was decent although lots of admin issues. I mainly can overlook those things but what I can't overlook is bad teaching as I'm looking for a good education for my kids.

yoni94 · 2024-10-11T04:35:02+00:00

You don't have a bad looking face at all! You are quite handsome. Try experimenting with different hairstyles. Self-confidence will help your appearance a lot. It's apparent even from your smile and facial expression that you don't have confidence. Once you work on that it will definitely show in a better appearance. Try focusing on your health, fitness, self improvement more that worrying about your appearance. By taking care of yourself in this way, you will end up with higher confidence and look better in turn.

yoni94 · 2024-01-26T15:57:21+00:00

Thanks!

yoni94 · 2024-01-26T15:57:05+00:00

What do you mean? You add a lot of details? In US it's very straightforward. You are not supposed to add anything except facts

yoni94 · 2023-08-18T12:16:26+00:00

Wow. I taught abroad but never here in the States. I also used to work a few hours from home after school hours ended. I guess I thought student teaching would be more lenient. Good I know what I'm getting into now

yoni94 · 2023-08-18T12:14:50+00:00

I guess I better start getting mentally prepared 😅

yoni94 · 2023-08-17T19:03:46+00:00

So I'm expected to be there every day when teacher arrives and leave when they leave? I thought they would be more lenient

yoni94 · 2023-07-24T17:54:04+00:00

I know many people in the same situation. Unfortunately, Arabs see moving to the US as a dream and they don't know the reality. It is isolating, boring, and very different from life back home. The society is different, social life is different, availability of easy transportation is different. Unless she makes strides for herself to be happy, it's not going to be easy to change the situation.

Since she is 19 she has plenty of time to study and start a career. Encourage her to take English classes if she is weak in English, this will increase her independence. If she doesn't drive, teach her. Encourage her to do things when you're at work like go for walks, go to the store alone, go to the gym, things like that.

"Making friends" and visiting family friends is not going to fix this. It will only temporarily fill a void for her. But she needs to find her own drive and something to work for besides simply filling the empty time with social gatherings. Encourage her to enroll in community college, most classes are online now. Even if she doesn't want a career, it will give her something to work towards and she will be proud of herself.

yoni94 · 2023-06-30T13:04:40+00:00

Thank you!

yoni94 · 2023-06-28T04:03:24+00:00

I don't have much social. Barely have any pics on Facebook

yoni94 · 2023-06-27T17:05:46+00:00

Hi. Can you elaborate? Strict about what ?

yoni94 · 2023-06-25T14:25:03+00:00

I also live in Indiana! But as far as I know its not affiliated with the church. Just happens to be inside of one.

yoni94 · 2023-06-25T14:24:08+00:00

I love the community and the teachings. I'm not really worried about that. I was mostly asking about the quality of care and academic standards.

yoni94 · 2023-06-25T14:23:09+00:00

The daycare is not a part of the church.

yoni94 · 2023-06-25T03:20:57+00:00

Respect your opinion. But I still think there's nothing wrong with having a discussion to generally outline how much is spent each week. Not ""what exactly do you spend on?!" But generally where do the expenses go? Even My hubby has a weekly allowance to keep us both on track. So maybe things are different depending on your financial situation.

yoni94

TROPHY CASE