FAQ

Academics

Costs

Safety

Logistics

Travel

ACADEMICS:

What is the average size of a program?

AMIDEAST purposely keeps our groups small in order to maximize the faculty/staff to student ratio. In small groups we find that students are able to get to know one another and the community in which they live. Our Oman program will have 9-15 American students.

How can I make sure that I receive academic credit from my university?

Students are responsible for making sure their home institution is willing to grant credit for the program prior to enrolling. Each institution has a different transfer credit process and AMIDEAST staff will provide documentation and other information to help you complete the process at your institution. If your home institution requires a transcript from an institution accredited in the U.S., you may opt to receive a transcript from AMIDEAST’s Institution of Record, Northeastern University, for an additional fee of $350.

What is the academic portion of the program like?

AMIDEAST class sizes are kept small to maximize student learning and your classmates will be among the other students on your AMIDEAST program, from a variety of academic institutions in the United States. Courses will have a work load comparable to rigorous U.S. universities.
During this six-week program, students earn a total of 6 academic credits in two formal 3-credit courses. The first course examines the social history and contemporary culture of Oman, including topics such as Omani society, culture, contemporary history, government, and economy. The second introduces students to Omani Colloquial Arabic. The Arabic course is taught with a strong communicative approach to allow students to effectively work with their Omani peers at the university. In addition to the formal course work, students learn experientially through organized service projects at the university, dormitory life with local students, weekly lectures from members of Omani civil society, and program organized excursions.

Where do classes take place?

All classes take place on the campus of Sohar Unviersity.

What is the service portion of the program like?

Students on the Learn & Serve program in Oman will have the opportunity to work directly with Omani youth in the classroom and during extra-curricular activities, where they will serve as English Language assistants. Students will work with the Sohar University General Foundation Program (GFP). In the GFP Omani students work on the four skills in English (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and on study skills, all in preparation for their integration into formal university study in English medium courses.

AMIDEAST Learn & Serve Oman students will work under the supervision of GFP faculty to assist students with the speaking and listening components of the program and help to run extracurricular activities in a variety of areas, all conducted in English. These activities will be designed by the AMIDEAST Learn & Serve students and serve as a means for Omani students to improve their English in more informal environments.

What is the grading scale?

Courses are graded on a 4.0 scale using the U.S. letter grade system.

How will I receive my course grades?

Students in Oman receive an AMIDEAST Grade Report which indicates letter grades and credit received. One grade report will be sent to your university and one will remain at the AMIDEAST office in Washington, D.C. Alternatively, students can request (for an additional fee) a transcript issued by AMIDEAST’s Institution of Record, Northeastern University, for a $350 fee.

I have not studied Arabic, but would like to participate in the program. Will I encounter any difficulties communicating?

Yes, but not insurmountable difficulties. On the Summer Learn & Serve program you will study colloquial Arabic as a required course and will quickly learn enough to ask and understand the basic questions and responses to routine conversation. As the program progresses, your proficiency will increase and your difficulties will lessen. You will also find that a significant number of Omanis speak enough English to help you if you cannot make yourself understood in Arabic. In addition, while you are on the campus of Sohar University all of the students will know some English who will speak English during official activities.

COSTS:

What does the program fee include?

The program fee covers pre-departure preparation, onsite orientation, tuition, housing, program-organized excursions, supplementary lectures and special events, transport between the Muscat and Sohar University, and medical insurance (including medical evacuation and repatriation, and political and natural disaster evacuation coverage).

What costs are not covered?

Students are responsible for international airfare, local transportation costs (aside from transportation to and from the airport, to Sohar University, and excursions), all meals, textbooks, travel insurance, optional excursions, communication and other personal expenses.

How much spending money will I need?

Although our programs operate in areas of the world where the cost-of-living is significantly less than in the U.S. or Europe, we do suggest that students appropriately budget for spending money during their time abroad. The amount of spending money a student will need depends on spending habits and travel plans. Students are also responsible for phone and internet costs, outside of the AMIDEAST facilities, incurred while on the program, as well as some day-to-day living expenses such as shampoo, if you choose to buy it once in Oman. It is considered very thoughtful to bring small gifts to give to friends you may meet during your time abroad. Please refer to the cost section of the program on the website. There will also be more detailed information provided in your student handbook which will help you estimate the exact amount of spending money you should bring.

How can I access my money?

There are many international and national banks in Oman with ATM services. ATMs in Oman are quite reliable, and the easiest and most convenient way to obtain cash. However, the number of ATMs available in Oman is less than what you would expect at home. You should ask your bank if they charge a fee for international ATM transactions; they may also have other recommendations for accessing your funds overseas. Traveler’s checks provide added security but are not recommended as they are not widely accepted and the exchange rate is much worse. Credit cards, especially Visa and MasterCard, are accepted at major hotels, and at some high-end restaurants, shops and grocery stores. If you plan to use one of these cards (debit or credit) you should notify your card company that you will be in Oman, as they often place security holds on accounts when foreign charges appear unexpectedly. Also, please make sure that you have a 4 digit pin, as some places can’t accommodate longer pin numbers.

Are scholarships available?

AMIDEAST offers scholarship opportunities to students participating in our Education Abroad programs. For more information, including eligibility and application process for AMIDEAST Scholarships as well as links to external scholarship opportunities please visit the scholarships section of our website. The scholarship application deadline is usually the same as the program application deadline.

I am a dual citizen of the U.S. and an Arab country—does this make a difference in my financial aid chances?

Yes, if you happen to be a U.S. citizen, you will be eligible for a larger number of awards as well as U.S. federal financial aid, which can be used for study abroad programs. Sometimes aid is also reserved specifically for non-U.S. citizens. You need to make sure the university is clear about your citizenship in advance so that you receive the correct financial aid information and forms.

SAFETY

How do you analyze the safety and security of the program countries?

Student safety is our number one priority. AMIDEAST has been working in Oman for over 8 years. AMIDEAST maintains a close relationship with U.S. Embassies in the region and you will be required to register with the embassy prior to departure. AMIDEAST staff members constantly monitor the political and security situation in host countries and in other surrounding countries in the region. In order to further enhance our access to up-to-the-minute information in crisis situations, AMIDEAST contracts with a company called iJET: Intelligent Risk Systems. iJET’s mission is to protect international travelers through the use of technology and intelligence. In addition to providing AMIDEAST with risk assessment reports on a regular basis, iJET also gives us the ability to immediately communicate with students and staff in the event of an emergency situation.
All students on AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs are able to access the iJET website for background information on their local community and other places they may be visiting. Detailed information about iJET and the services available will be communicated shortly before your departure for the program country.

What if there is an international security issue while I am on the program?

Should a situation develop that presents a specific security risk, appropriate action, within well-defined emergency response plans, will be taken in consultation with U.S. Embassy and Department of State officials, with whom AMIDEAST maintains a close relationship. On arrival in your host country all students are provided with a cell phone so that AMIDEAST staff can contact you (and you can contact them) at any time in case of an emergency.
All students are covered by political and security evacuation insurance by HTH Worldwide Insurance, which came into play when the students who were in Cairo in January 2011 were evacuated. During the period from the beginning of demonstrations in Cairo on January 25 until the students were evacuated on January 31, AMIDEAST staff were with the students 24/7 and provided a constant communications link both to AMIDEAST Headquarters in Washington and, through staff there, with the students’ families and home institutions. As a result of the combined efforts of AMIDEAST staff in Cairo and Washington and AMIDEAST’s insurance and evacuation partners, the students were never in danger and were safely evacuated on a charter flight to Athens. From there they were able to continue their semester abroad in either Amman or Rabat on AMIDEAST programs.

What if I get sick?

AMIDEAST provides medical insurance for all students on its programs through HTH Worldwide, the leading provider of international health plans to the international education community. Our field staff maintains a list of recommended doctors and medical facilities and will assist you in arranging and paying for appointments. In addition to medical insurance, HTH will provide medical, political, and security evacuation coverage.
Please be sure to register on the HTH website after you receive your medical ID information in your program country (www.hthstudents.com) in order to access online resources such as country reports and translations of over 700 medical terms and phrases. You will be sent additional information about your HTH coverage prior to departure.

LOGISTICS:

Do I need to bring my laptop?

You will have access to the computer labs at Sohar University. Although computers are available, AMIDEAST recommends that students bring a laptop if possible, but this is not a requirement. You may want to consider purchasing laptop insurance in case of damage or theft. Please note that Mac support is limited in Oman.

Will I have regular access to the internet?

Internet speed in Oman is slower than you are used to in the U.S. because bandwidth is not as great. You should be prepared for this. Downloads can take a very long time as a result. In addition, the entire network experiences intermittent outages. This is normal, so you should adjust your expectations accordingly.

Will I be able to use Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) in my daily life in Sohar?

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is not used for daily life interactions in any Arab country; it is only used in formal settings such as interviews and speeches. You may use MSA when looking at electronic and print media, and books. While everyone will understand you when you speak MSA, they will likely respond to you in colloquial Arabic.

How should I plan to dress?

Omani society remains fairly conservative, thus a certain degree of modesty is recommended. While in Sohar women should note that certain types of dress will increase the chance of unwanted attention, such as tank tops, above-the-knee skirts and excessively tight fitting clothing. Summer is extremely hot in Oman, and we recommend wearing light-weight cotton shirts and tops for men and women. When visiting mosques or more conservative parts of the country, women should wear pants, floor-length skirts, and full length sleeve tops. Please bring comfortable walking shoes, as you will walk a great deal on excursions – and the streets of Oman are not the cleanest. Flip-flops are not recommended, unless at the beach. Dressing respectfully demonstrates adaptability and will help minimize unwanted attention, especially for women. A packing list is located in the student handbook which is sent to participants prior to departure.

Will I have a phone?

Upon arrival, all students are supplied with a mobile phone, local number, and a small number of minutes for calling. These are pay-as-you-go phones, so when the initial allocation of minutes runs out you will have to buy a top-up card either from the mobile provider at a company store or from one of the many kiosks and small stores that sell them. The phone, along with the charger, must be returned to AMIDEAST at the end of your term. Most participants prefer to text each other and use Skype for international calls as calls can be relatively expensive to make on the pay-as-you-go phones. It is not recommended that you keep your US cell phone with you, as international phone charges tend to be surprisingly expensive.

What pre-departure information will I receive?

Students receive communication from AMIDEAST Washington, D.C. staff regarding courses, housing, insurance, packing, flights, visas and what to expect upon arrival. AMIDEAST staff is available to answer program and country specific questions and ensure students are prepared prior to departure for their host country. You should feel free to contact the Washington office with any questions you may have leading up to your program.

Will I have much interaction with local students through AMIDEAST?

During the program, students will live in shared dorms with Omani students, as well as acting as English Language assistants the Omani students participating in General Foundation Program (GFP). There will be plenty of interaction with local students as you help them improve their English, while you get a chance to practice your Arabic and interact with Omani students.

Will I have access to a library?

No. Please bring anything you wish to read with you.

Who is eligible to apply for an AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program?

Eligible applicants for AMIDEAST Programs

Are enrolled at an accredited college or university and have completed at least one year of post-secondary study.
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale); however, applications will be considered holistically.
Are physically and emotionally prepared to spend 6 weeks in Oman.
Are willing to adapt to a new, potentially challenging environment.

What is the application process like?

Students begin the application process on AMIDEAST’s online application system. Students must submit a completed application online and the following additional documents to AMIDEAST headquarters in Washington, D.C:

Official Transcript(s) for all college(s) or university(ies) attended
Two Letters of Recommendation
Study Abroad Advisor Form

After all documents are received, applications will be considered. The Admissions Committee reviews each application individually and AMIDEAST staff inform students of their application status within two weeks of receipt of all supporting documents.
Applications are accepted and considered on a rolling basis until the program is filled. We urge you to complete your application as soon as possible. Upcoming deadlines include March 15, 2013 for Summer 2013. Despite the open nature of our application process, we urge you to complete your application as soon as possible in order to ensure space for you on your preferred program as our admissions are decided on a rolling basis.

Where can I connect with other potential and past AMIDEAST study abroad students?

In order to gain a better sense of our programs we encourage you to visit our Facebook page: Study Abroad in the Arab World and our blog; Mosaic
If you are interested in hearing first hand from students who have studied abroad with AMIDEAST previously, please email edabroad@amideast.org and we can put you in touch with some of those students.

TRAVEL:

Will I need a visa to enter the country?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need to obtain a visa before departing the U.S. You will obtain a tourist visa upon entering Oman at the airport. Visas costs 30 Omani Rials and are valid for one month. Once in country, AMIDEAST staff will help you renew their visa for the additional 2 weeks of the program at an additional cost. You will need a U.S. passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your departure date. Further information about this process is included in the student handbook you will receive prior to your departure.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should contact the Omani embassy in your country of citizenship to inquire about visa requirements. AMIDEAST staff in Washington may be able to assist you if you encounter difficulties, but will need to know immediately if that is the case as sometimes it takes more than a month for an Omani visa to be issued from a consulate in the U.S.

How will I get from the airport to the program?

An AMIDEAST staff member will be at the Muscat International Airport holding an AMIDEAST sign to meet students arriving on the designated arrival day. It is essential that you provide us with flight details so we know when you will arrive and on which airline. If you arrive before the designated arrival day, you are responsible for your own transportation and accommodations until the program begins. Pre-departure emails sent in the time leading up to your email will give you more information regarding required arrival times and dates.

Can my family visit me during the program?

AMIDEAST strongly discourages visits from family and friends during its programs and recommends that such visits be postponed until the end of the program. We have found that visits during our programs have the potential to have a negative impact on a student's experience. It is fairly common for friends and family to arrange visits once the program has finished. At the end of the program students have more time to spend with visitors and will be well accustomed to the country in which they are studying and able to serve as guides and cultural interpreters for their visiting family and friends.

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