Irreplaceable experience, but the program needs some help Past Review

By (Hope College) - abroad from 01/21/2018 to 05/08/2018 with

Northwestern College: Muscat - Spring Semester in Oman

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Nothing beats going to a foreign country and living in a completely new place. There are not many of study abroad experiences in the Middle East, so it is pretty cool to have a program available. G.K. Chesterton said the point of an open mind is so it can close on something concrete. I'm not sure that we did that.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I really wanted to study abroad in the Middle East and am thankful for my experience, but there are many areas that the program is weak in.

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Excursions
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
  • Student Support
  • Rigor of classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You need to have a good grasp of the current events and history in the Middle East because the program will rarely address politics and history outside of Oman.