Orientation

Upon arrival in Oman, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program students participate in an orientation designed to introduce them to Omani culture and daily life and familiarize them with the logistics of the program. Students will stay in the capital of Oman, Muscat, for the first portion of orientation before moving to Sohar University. During orientation topics such as safety and health, cultural adjustment, program regulations, participant responsibilities and other essential information are will be discussed. During the on-site orientation students also meet the faculty and become familiar with the university environment.

Sohar University

Sohar University lies on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, 224 kilometers west of the capital Muscat, and approximately 200 kilometers south-east from Dubai. Sohar University is the first and largest private university in Oman and was established in 1997. The university is home to approximately 5,000 students during the academic year and approximately 700 during summer sessions. 

The University has embarked on an ambitious expansion of the existing campus, which is located about 5-6 kilometers from the downtown area of Sohar. The downtown area can be easily reached by taxi (cost around 500 baisa or $1.30 for a one way trip), or via a free university shuttle which operates twice a week.

To learn more about Sohar University visit their webpage: www.soharuni.edu.om

Accommodation and Meals

Students enrolled in the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Oman live in dormitories at Sohar University either on campus (females) or off-campus (males). AMIDEAST students will be paired with an Omani roommate and will share a bathroom with the other residents of the dorm. The dorms have secure entrances and doors close at 10pm. Female students reside in university owened and operated residence halls on the campus of Sohar University. Male students will live in university apartment‐style housing off campus with Omani male students no more than 15 minutes walking distance from the main campus. Male students will have access to a free shuttle between the university and their accommodations.

Meals are not included with the Learn & Serve program fees and students are responsible for all meal costs. There are several dining options available near Sohar University including a cafeteria on campus, a nearby grocery store, and several local restaurants in walking distance. In the female dorms, there are refrigerators and microwaves and male accommodations have limited kitchen facilities.

During Ramadan the university cafeteria will not be open during daylight hours as Omanis will be fasting from sunrise to sunset. The cafeteria will re-open in the evenings from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm. During Ramadan, students will buy food from the nearby grocery stores (within walking distance), restaurants (Yemeni and Turkish fare), or from the large shopping center in the down town area (accessible via a twice weekly university shuttle).  Students should expect to spend approximately 1-3 OMR ($2.60-$7.80) per meal during their time in Oman. The anticipated cost to the students for their meals for six weeks is approximately US$400.

Service Work

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.