In this episode of Tips for Learning Levantine Arabic, Jennifer interviews Adriana, an expat living in Amman, Jordan and learning Arabic at Shababeek. Adriana shares how she built deep friendships with local Jordanians, overcame her fear of speaking Arabic, and embraced cultural differences. Whether you’re an introvert, a new arrival, or someone looking to practice Levantine Arabic in real life, her practical tips and inspiring mindset will help you connect with locals.
Jennifer
Greetings from Amman, Jordan. This is Jennifer Killpack with another episode of Tips for Learning Levantine Arabic. Today I’m here with Adriana, and she’s going to tell us about her experience living in Jordan—especially her relationships with local people.
This is one of the questions I get asked most often: How do we meet people? How do we build relationships? How do we enter local communities so we can actually use the Arabic we’re learning? Adriana has had a wonderful experience here in Amman, and she’s going to share that with us today.
Adriana
Thank you so much for having me. Yes, my experience here has been amazing, and I’m sad that I have to leave. I’m really happy to share about it.
I’ve made a lot of friends here, and I think Amman is a very welcoming place. Jordan is a great country, and there are many opportunities to make friends.
Jennifer
A lot of people ask me, Will I even make friends here? When we last talked, I realized you had many relationships with local people. At what point in your Arabic learning did you feel you could start building friendships using Arabic?
Adriana
Honestly, from the first month after I arrived, I started making friends. My very first friend was an English speaker. Then, after about three months, my roommate invited me to a meeting with local friends.
I couldn’t understand everything, but I could understand some words and expressions, and I was happy just to listen. That helped me make my first friends. After about three months, I started building relationships in Arabic.
It wasn’t easy at first. I didn’t understand a lot, and my roommate had to translate for me. But just listening and being present helped me learn the culture—how people act, how they respond, how they express themselves, and how I should express myself.
After about five months, I had my first friendships without any outside help. Some of my first friends were from Shababeek. Some of my teachers became my friends and still are.
Jennifer
You sound very brave and open. I have to ask—are you an extrovert?
Adriana
Actually, no. I’m an introvert. I don’t consider myself very bold. I need time alone to recharge. I love being with people, but at the end of the day, I need quiet time—reading, listening to music, singing.
I don’t think you need to be an extrovert to make friends. It’s about being intentional. It’s about loving people, loving the culture, and going outside your comfort zone. It’s not really about introvert versus extrovert.
Jennifer
Many people live here a long time and still struggle to make relationships. What do you think is different for you?
Adriana
I think a big part of it is overcoming fear. Fear is a huge obstacle in making friendships—fear of making mistakes, fear of being judged, fear of the unknown.
When you think, My Arabic is poor. I’ll make mistakes. I don’t know the right mujamalat, those thoughts can block you completely. I had to overcome that fear.
Once I did, I felt free to talk to people from any culture. I also decided not to judge people and to really listen. I love listening to people’s stories without correcting them or trying to change them. People feel that. When people feel loved and respected, they trust you.
Jennifer
How do you handle uncomfortable moments—like criticism or mistakes in Arabic?
Adriana
It’s not easy, especially because I’m a perfectionist. I had to learn to give myself grace. Arabic is not an easy language. It takes time—maybe years—and that’s okay.
I decided not to accept negative thoughts like I must be perfect or people will laugh at me. Honestly, I’ve never experienced people mocking me in Jordan. People encourage me. They’re usually surprised and happy that I’m learning Arabic.
My friends correct me gently, and I appreciate that. Correction is a gift when it comes from friends. Negative self-criticism, on the other hand, is like poison. It’s not helpful at all.
Jennifer
Withholding judgment across cultures is rare and deeply needed. How did you learn that?
Adriana
It’s a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. Love is a decision—it’s not just an emotion. You have to choose it every day.
Living in international communities taught me that people can be very different but not wrong. God made us different on purpose. When I realized I had so much to learn from other cultures, it humbled me.
I don’t need to become like others, but I do need to respect them, listen to them, and love them. That attitude changes everything.
Jennifer
Relationships in Arab culture seem to require more time and presence. What have you noticed?
Adriana
Yes, relationships here need time and energy. Visiting often means spending six or seven hours together. That’s intense—but beautiful.
You visit, you host, you share meals. It takes planning and emotional energy, but it’s worth it. You practice a lot of Arabic, learn the culture deeply, and enjoy amazing food. Hospitality is a big part of friendship here.
Jennifer
You once told me about meeting someone in a park. Can you share that?
Adriana
Sure. I was walking in Sports City Park when a woman asked me to help her with her scooter because she was wearing an abaya. We started talking, discovered our birthdays were close, and I invited her to my birthday party. That’s how our friendship began.
It’s about being intentional by spending time in Arab spaces, not only with English speakers. From my first day, I chose to live in an Arabic-speaking environment, and that helped my comprehension a lot.
Conferences, meetings, parties—these are all opportunities. Jordanians are very kind and eager to meet foreigners.
Jennifer
Is there anything else you’d like to encourage people with?
Adriana
Yes. Spend quiet time with yourself. Know yourself. When you have a healthy self-image and emotional balance, you have something to give to others.
Also, humility is key. No one likes superiority. We can learn so much from locals. And if you’re experiencing culture shock, give yourself grace. Don’t rush friendships. Learn the culture first. Relationships will come naturally.
Jennifer
You’ve invested over 1,100 hours at Shababeek and reached an advanced level. What’s next?
Adriana
I’m moving to Saudi Arabia after visiting my family in Romania and Spain. I love Jeddah and I’m really looking forward to this next chapter.
Jennifer
Thank you so much for sharing your heart and experience. Your posture toward people is something we can all learn from.
Adriana
Thank you for having me. It’s been an honor.
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