Virginia Tech Arabic Abroad: Oman, The Student Experience

Abstract

The VT Arabic Oman program is an intensive Arabic language program held in Nizwa, Oman. In summer 2018 and summer 2019 the program was hosted by the DHAD Institute which is part of the University of Nizwa. The 5-week program consists of 4 weeks of intensive Arabic language instruction and 1 week of planned excursions to the United Arab Emirates during the Eid Al Fitr holiday. The program also consisted of daily interactions with student language partners and immersive excursions within Oman to learn about Omani life, history, and culture. Students had classes everyday, Sunday through Thursday (the weekend is Friday and Saturday), 4 hours a day and followed by lectures or cultural activities. They had Omani conversational partners 5 days a week, where they practiced speaking Arabic and learned more about Oman history and social, economic and political life in Oman and about Omani and Arab traditions and culture. Please explore this exhibit and read about the students’ experience in Oman, see the trip through their eyes, and experience it via the objects here which are a small sample of what aided them on their journey.