A Distinctive Cross-Cultural Experience. Glad I Chose Oman! Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Northwestern College) - abroad from 01/23/2014 to 05/06/2014 with
Northwestern College: Muscat - Spring Semester in Oman
My goal in studying abroad was to live in a cultural context different than my own in order to broaden my perspective, challenge myself to be more independent, and have adventures--big and small. I achieved these things.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
For the most part, students were given enough freedom in topics or paper prompts to research and reflect on things that were of personal interest to us. I appreciated the appropriately challenging yet not overwhelming amount of coursework assigned by our introductory level Arabic instructor. As someone who finds language-learning daunting and entered the semester with no knowledge of Arabic, I was pleasantly surprised. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I always felt that staff members were available when I needed them. As a growing program, the Muscat Semester looks a little different for students each year; this includes staff members, excursion sites, events, and, to a degree, coursework. I felt that administrators were intentional and thoughtful regarding the program and that we students were kept in the loop throughout the semester. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Al Amana Centre's current location is hard to beat. Food, shopping, hiking trails, taxi service, and the waterfront are all within walking distance. Sleeping arrangements are dorm style (roommates) within a house. There is a shared kitchen and shared living space. |
| * Food: |
Students prepared their own breakfast and lunch with staple foods provided by the program. Weeknight dinners were provided--almost exclusively Indian cuisine. Restaurants and food vendors are available when you want something different. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very connected with certain aspects of Omani culture and the people who live there. However, it would have been beneficial to have met more college-aged people while abroad; this is a limitation that the program is working to improve for future students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health concerns while abroad. However, there are multiple hospitals/medical facilities in Muscat, and program staff have contingency plans should issues arise. |
| * Safety: |
Oman is a very safe country, and I don't remember once feeling concerned for my safety. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
The Muscat Semester is a very cost-efficient program, as the amount of money you spend is totally dependent on you. Basic necessities and program excursions are provided--including a spring break trip. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $10 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Shop around before buying souvenirs. You can find similar things at different places and can haggle for lower prices. Regarding currency to exchange: bring newer money. Many places only accept bills from 2007 to present. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Arabic use is encouraged as practice, but I never needed it in order to function in the public sphere. Most people I encountered spoke English. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | No instruction in Arabic. 200-level course in Spanish. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | There are online study programs that allow you to make flashcards to work on vocabulary. Practice by speaking with other people, even when your skills are limited. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Willingness to be flexible is key. As Omani culture is relational and students are able to study abroad by invitation of the country's Ministry, events and opportunities may come up at the last minute. Most of these opportunities are great, but it helps to enter the program with a mindset of adaptability. |
