Archeology Internships in Jordan
Our Archeology internship in Petra provides a culturally immersive opportunity for interns to explore Jordan’s most famous archaeological site. This internship is available for a duration of 4 weeks only, since a high level of patience and stamina is required for archaeological activities. Interns will conduct participatory research projects and carry out fieldwork focused on conservation. It’s important to note that such fieldwork requires medium physical work, which can be challenging outdoors, in hot climates.
Internship Highlights:
- Collaborate with experienced professionals and learn about diverse techniques for conservation and excavation.
- Receive hands-on training and coaching from professional archaeologists.
- Experience the beauty and history of Petra and other historic sites of Jordan, like Wadi Rum and Madaba.
Type of host organizations:
- Non-profit
Internship details
Petra attracts thousands of tourists every year, wanting to explore its magnificent tombs, monuments and houses carved into pink sandstone cliffs, which have earned it the nickname the “Rose City”. Archeology interns in Jordan have the opportunity to experience and learn about ongoing conservation and restoration efforts, dedicated to exploring, preserving, and understanding the historical significance of Petra or other historical sites of interest.
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and select meals provided. You can explore remote internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake from home.
Archeology interns in Jordan receive hands-on training and support to learn about different methods for preservation, conservation and excavation, as well as practical skills like documenting an archaeological excavation by entering data; stratigraphy; registering, cleaning and storing archaeological artifacts; assessing the state of conservation of ancient remains; cleaning historical walls using diverse techniques; and preparing historically accurate lime-based mortar and applying it to ancient walls.
Even though our local team in Jordan is based in Amman, and that is where the coordinator will be, the activities conducted in this internship, as well as sleeping arrangements, will take place in other locations which include Petra and Wadi Rum, and not directly in Amman.
These internship activities are normally based in the town of Tell Hesban, a hot spot for accessing the interesting history of the Middle East, spanning thousands of years, from the Bronze Age to the present time. To enhance the cultural immersion of this unique learning experience, interns may also collaborate and interact with members of the Bedouin community that used to live in Petra. Please note that during the months of May and June, additional activities will also be available, to supplement an internship itinerary within this field. In all cases, patience and stamina are required, as archeological activities which take place outdoors can be challenging, especially in hot weather.
Typical Schedule
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The Jordan work week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Fridays and Saturdays available for free time. The hours of work from Sunday to Thursday are approximately from 7:30am to 1:30pm.
Career Benefits
Archeology interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Archaeological excavation.
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Archaeological findings registration and storage.
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Architectural documentation.
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Condition assessment.
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Registering, cleaning and storing archaeological artifacts.
Professional development opportunities:
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Acquire experience with archaeological excavation techniques.
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Understand methods of architectural conservation.
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Document an archaeological excavation.
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Jordan photo gallery
Academic credit available for all internships
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing an internship abroad or remote internship program with Intern Abroad HQ.
Learn about course creditProgram fees
It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$499 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$499 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | $6,284 Equivalent to $224 /day |
- Airport pick-up
- Meals
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- All in-country transportation
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.
- A deposit of $499 (approximately 499) is required to secure your internship
- Balance of your Program Fee is due 60 days before your internship start date.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
- Terms and Conditions apply.
Free-time experiences & tours in Amman
Take your internship to the next level with Intern Abroad HQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Amman! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto an internship program.
Experience a 2-day road trip around South Jordan where you will get to visit Wadi Rum, a protected desert in southern Jordan, and Petra, a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan.
The Ma’in Hot Springs are a series of hot mineral springs and waterfalls, set within a tranquil landscape, located between Madaba and the Dead Sea.
Spend the day exploring Mount Nebo, mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land, and enjoy lunch while visiting the Dead Sea.
Arrival and Orientation
The Jordan work week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Fridays and Saturdays available for free time. Therefore, internship start dates are the second and fourth Saturday of every month. Exceptions may be made to this when start dates are shifted to avoid public holiday disruptions or closed when the program has already reached capacity. Interns may choose to spend a minimum of 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. Airport pick up, accommodation, and selected meals are included in the Program Fee.
The accommodation is covered from the Friday night before the Saturday start date. Please aim to book your flights, to arrive on this date. However, if you are traveling in Jordan prior to commencing the internship, we can alternatively arrange for you to be picked up from a pre-approved meeting point in central Amman.
The typical port of entry is the Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). Pick up from this airport is included in the cost of the internship Program Fee. Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred to the accommodation (located approximately 45 minutes drive from the airport).
The internship orientation is provided on the Saturday. Orientation is hosted in Amman and runs for a full day. Orientation covers important onsite information for your internship experience in Jordan, including general introductions, information about Jordanian customs, rules and expectations, safety guidance, details about travel opportunities, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.
The last night of the accommodation is the Wednesday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Thursday. Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested, and are subject to availability. Return transportation to the airport is not included in the internship program fee but local staff can assist you to make arrangements. Expect to budget US$35 for private transportation (e.g. Uber or taxi).
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.
Check what’s required to visit Jordan
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Accommodation and WiFi
Our Archeology internships in Jordan have a varied itinerary for each of the 4 weeks of the program, as it takes place in several locations including Petra, Wadi Rum, and Madaba. Please note some of the accommodations used during this time below:
- La Maison Hotel, Petra - Uniquely located in Wadi Musa, a 5-minute walk from the Jordanian world wonder, the Red Rose City of Petra. This accommodation is used for the Saturday night of your first week, before moving onto the Sela Dig house on Sunday. You can expect to share a hotel room with one or two more interns of the same gender.
- Sela Dig House, Petra - This will serve as your main accommodation for the majority of your internship, while you are working at the dig center in Petra. The house is simple with basic amenities. It has three twin bedrooms, so you can expect to share one of these rooms with other interns of the same gender. The house also has one bathroom, kitchen, a common area, and a garden. It is conveniently located only five minutes from the dig center.
- Rahayeb Camp, Wadi Rum - Rahayeb Desert Camp is a Bedouin-style oasis nestled within the Wadi Rum Protected Area, surrounded by sand dunes and majestic mountains. This will be the accommodation on Friday of the third week, when interns go on the tour of Wadi Rum. Interns stay in deluxe tents, each housing two or three interns of the same gender. Each tent has a private ensuite bathroom and air conditioning.
- Salome Hotel, Madaba - This is the accommodation in Madaba, used on the Thursday night of your 4-week program, before you depart on Friday. The hotel is a 10–minute walk from the city center and only a 30-minute drive from Amman. You can expect to share a hotel room with one or two more interns of the same gender.
Bedrooms in all of these accommodations are shared. Bathrooms are shared and toilets can be accessed by diverse genders. Note that the toilets may be equipped with a bidet shower, which is common use in Jordan. Water is used instead of, or together with, toilet paper, for hygiene purposes. Given that most toilets in Jordan do not always contain toilet paper, all interns are advised to ensure they prepare to source their own throughout their time spent in Jordan. It can be purchased in-country, very affordably, at an estimated cost of US$4-8 per month.
Air conditioning and/or fans are available. The summer season runs from late May through early October. July is typically the hottest month, with an average high of 88°F / 31°C (and low of 66°F / 19°C). If you are sensitive to the heat, you may consider joining this program during cooler months.
All of these accommodations have basic WiFi. To keep connected when out and about, you can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone. The local team can assist you with this.
Meals
Internships in Jordan include daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, served at your accommodation.
Staples of the diet usually include rice, potatoes, cauliflower, cucumber, yogurt, meat (such as lamb or chicken), olives, flatbread, and liberal use of traditional herbs and spices. Breakfast and dinners tend to be smaller portions with mixed platters including falafel, dips, bread, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables. Lunch is the bigger meal of the three, and can include a range of meats, breads, rice dishes, salads and vegetables.
Tap water is not drinkable; however; bottled water is readily available to purchase. Interns should budget approximately US$10-15 per week for this.
If there are special snacks you like to have (or meals/treats above and beyond what is provided), please budget for them and take care of your own preferences independently. A weekly budget of approximately US$50 should be generous for covering extra snacks, treats, and drinks (as a supplement to what’s already going to be included for you). However, consider that your weekly spending budget will be determined by your own personal spending habits and lifestyle choices, so please take this into consideration and plan accordingly.
Note that gluten free products and alternatives (such as gluten free breads, cereals, cookies, etc) can sometimes be difficult to source in Jordan (and you may not find certain brands that you’re used to).
Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar) is observed by Muslims around the world. The holiday of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal (the next lunar month). Eid celebrates the end of this fasting period. The approximate dates for 2025 are beginning the evening of March 1st and ending between March 31st - April 2nd.
During this holy month, there is a focus on prayer, reflection and community, in addition to fasting. Many adult muslims will abstain from eating and drinking, from sunrise to sunset. These rules do not apply to visitors or non-Muslims and you can eat and drink as normal. Interns are still provided meal services through the program. However, note that local eateries which cater to locals won’t be open during the day. International chain restaurants, hotel restaurants, and other eateries that market to tourists will remain available. Please be considerate of those who are fasting and avoid eating and drinking in public, during fasting hours, or in front of others at either the placement or accommodation.
Essential country information
| Capital | Amman |
| Population | 11.15 million |
| Languages | Arabic |
| Currency | Jordanian Dinar (JOD) |
| Time zone | UTC+03:00 |
Weather and climate:
The climate in Jordan varies greatly. The internship program is primarily situated in the capital city of Amman and surrounding areas, where a hot-summer Mediterranean climate can be expected. However, toward the eastern and southern regions, the climate becomes semi-arid.
The summer season runs from late May through early October. July is typically the hottest month, with an average high of 88°F / 31°C (and low of 66°F / 19°C). If you are sensitive to the heat, you may consider joining this program during cooler months.
The cooler months are from early December through till early March. January is the coldest month, when temperatures range between 39°F / 4°C and 52°F / 11°C (expect snow in January for a day or two!) It does not rain much in Jordan and the chance of rain varies throughout the year. Normally, the wetter months are throughout the winter period, late November through late March.
