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Published: September 2nd 2008
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Program & Employer:
As some of you may know, this coming Thursday I will be heading to Amman, Jordan for apx. 10 months to take part in the Emerging Markets Development Advisors Program (www.emdap.org). It is a program funded by USAID to support business development and competitiveness in emerging markets. In my case, this will mean working at the Business Development Center (http://www.jusbp.org/about_us.shtm) consulting Jordanian companies on increasing their competitiveness with the objective of exporting to the U.S. and Europe. I am not a government employee nor do I have any responsibility to represent the US government or its interests. I am the recipient of a grant from the US government. Aside from the obvious benefits of living and working in the Middle East, I hope to take advantage of the opportunity to pursue: experience doing managerial consulting in a developing country environment, professional relationships, Arabic, and a greater understand of the Middle East and its people. But at the end of the day its an adventure and a chance to learn!
This year EMDAP awarded 13 year long grants to advisors who will be working in the following countries (Bolivia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Jordan, and Armenia).
Accommodation and Logistics:
The EMDAP program provides advisors with a monthly salary, a car, various insurances including medical, and an in country contact person along with other various financial backing and incentives. As a participant, I am required to work the entire year with only 10 days vacation not including Jordanian holidays. I am also required to write a business school case study by the end of the year which will be co-published with my case advisor, a business school professor. If any of you are interested in reading case studies from emerging markets, including many on micro-finance, please visit the EMDAP case catalogue. All cases are free of charge due to the rules of USAID's grant contract. http://emdapcasebook.iie.org/index.php The "Mango Groove" case in Madagascar is great!
In addition to the salary and obligations, we receive an exit orientation in Washington, DC for 4 days, a 9 day co-orientation in Amman with the Fulbright scholars , and a re-entry orientation once back in the U.S.
Expectations:
I would generally balk on stating expectations since I know that having expectations can be dangerous when going to live abroad. However, I also cannot be fair to myself and pretend that expectations don't exist, because they obviously do, so I will try to minimize them while recognizing those that do exist. Here are a few I can think of off hand in no particular order.
A) I will dedicate myself to acquiring a working knowledge of Arabic, but I expect that at times I will feel like hitting my head against a wall. I love languages but that also comes with the realization that there are times you feel like you will never be understood or sound like an adult when you talk.
B) No matter where I go in the world, including the US, I end up learning more about myself and the world around me. In fact, the more I travel the more I realize how much I have to learn. Right when you think you have something figured out, an event turns your world upside down. Of course, we can always filter out the information that doesn't fit our viewpoint, but then you are only cheating yourself. In the case of the Middle East, I can't wait to have some long conversations over Shisha and tea about US foreign policy, 9/11, and Middle Eastern politics. From the folks I have talked to and my experience in Morocco, it never takes long before politics rise to the table in the Middle East. Especially when there is an American willing to engage in the conversation.
C) I expect Amman to be a "pueblo pequeno, incendio grande." In other words, the city may have a couple of million residents, but everyone knows each other and word travels fast. So, I expect to have my diplomatic skills tested.
D) I expect to feel lonely in the beginning. Ramadan is going to have just begun when I arrive, meaning that everyone should be at home with their families and friends. Since I currently don't have many friends in Jordan, I suspect I will have plenty of time to work on my Arabic and in fact feel lonely in the beginning. I enjoy my time alone, but sometimes too much time alone allows you to rehash certain thoughts too many times.
E) GOOD FOOD and wonderful Shisha!
F) Having heard the mantras and thought quite a bit about managing others, I expect to use Jordan as a test ground for implementing some of the managerial tactics I have learned over the last 8 months and to improve on my leadership skills, especially against an Arab cultural backdrop.
Next time I write, I am sure there will be at least one entertaining adventure to share and hopefully some interesting pictures. Take care...
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Ellen
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tell me more!
I am awaiting my interview for the 2010 placements and would love to know as much as you're willing to share about your experiences with EMDAP.