America’s democratic system based on a representative body of elected officials has become grotesquely flawed.

When I signed up to study abroad in Jordan, I requested that I be placed in a Muslim home-stay, in order to better-understand Islamic culture and values. But not many of the students here were placed in Muslim families, and I, like most, was placed in a Christian family.

Without a doubt, the most difficult part of my time in Jordan thus far has been learning the language.

Two Muslims, a Jew and a Christian walk into a mosque . . . It sounds like the beginning of a recycled watercooler joke, but this was actually the scenario I was in a few days ago.

I was studying in the living room the other day and the television was on (as it is all day). I usually don’t watch it for two reasons: 1). I can barely understand Arabic, and 2). When the shows are in English, they’re usually not worth watching. But this was an exception.

While it is true that vast swaths of the region are (mostly) uninhabited deserts — much of the eastern part of Jordan would fit this description — these deserts can and do get very cold during certain parts of the year.

Central Michigan Life columnist Nicolas Persons is studying abroad in Amman, Jordan for the spring semester. He’s studying international relations, religion and Arabic — both Modern Standard and Jordanian Colloquial — on the campus of the University of Jordan. He’s living with a Jordanian Christian family, whose home is about five minutes from the university. He’ll be updating this blog frequently throughout the semester (insha allah — God willing) to discuss everyday life in the Kingdom. Ma’ salama (peace be with you)!

Regardless of how you feel about Granholm’s politics and policies, it’s important to tune in and pay attention when the chief executive of our state is addressing her constituents because what she has to say directly affects you; especially as a student earning a degree.