| Description |
This program will provide participants an opportunity to discover Oman, a rich and diverse Middle Eastern nation, and engage in a vibrant dialogue about Islam, Arab culture, and—more specifically—Omani culture. Participants will spend time in the cities of Muscat, Nizwa and Sur. Program discussions and activities will focus on Christianity and Islam, the modernization of Oman, cultural and religious diversity in Oman, and Western cultural influences on Omani culture, among other items. In addition, participants will be given ample opportunities to engage and observe Omani culture through various excursions and activities. The program will work closely with Michael Bos, director of the Al Amana Centre in Muscat, which is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. |
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| Location |
The program will take place in the cities of Muscat, Nizwa and Sur in Oman. Oman is located in the Middle East and occupies the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to the west, Yemen to the south, the Straight of Hormuz to the north and the Arabian Sea to the east. Muscat, located in the region of Muscat, is the capital of Oman and is also Oman’s financial and trade center. Sur, located in the Al Shariqiya region, is approximately 190 miles from Muscat and is an ancient port and maritime town. Nizwa is in the A’Dakhliyah region and is known as the “Pearl of Islam” due to its important contribution in bringing Islam to Oman. |
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| Faculty leader |
Dr. Scott Monsma, assistant professor of sociology at Northwestern College, will be leading this course. Dr. Monsma teaches cultural anthropology and ethnography courses at NWC, in addition to other sociology courses. He visited Oman during the fall of 2002 and led a group of five students to Oman in 2004-05 over Christmas break as part of the first study program to Oman. He took a group of 10 students to Oman over Christmas break in 2006-07. Prior to leading programs to Oman, Dr. Monsma co-led the first summer study abroad program to Taiwan in the summer of 2000. Dr. Monsma has been at Northwestern College since 1999 and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. |
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| Course and credit |
The program is comprised of two courses: Gen 316, Cross-Cultural Preparation, for two credits, and Gen 350, Topics in Cross-Cultural Studies in Oman, also for two credits. Both courses will be taught by Dr. Scott Monsma. All participants must take both courses for a total of 4 credits, which will count toward Northwestern’s cross-cultural general education requirement. Summer study abroad courses cannot be taken for audit. Participants will register for Gen 316 during spring semester 2008 and for Gen 350 during fall semester 2008, although the actual Gen 350 course will happen while on-site in Oman during the 2008-09 Christmas break. Tuition for these courses will be counted toward a participant’s regular semester loads. Regular credit overload policies will apply. |
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| Program structure |
During the fall semester, students will participate in Gen 316, Cross-Cultural Preparation. Several texts will be assigned, and the class format will be a combination of discussions, lectures, guest lecturers and films. Various logistical details of the on-site portion of the program will also be discussed. While in Oman, participants will travel and stay as a group in Muscat, Nizwa and Sur. Participants will have the opportunity to observe and engage the culture through various activities, guest lecturers, day trips and assignments. Group discussion/debriefing time will also play a prominent role in the course. See the faculty leader for a complete syllabus. |
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| Transportation |
Current plans have participants flying as a group into Muscat. In-country transportation will be provided. |
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| Housing and meals |
While in Oman, students will stay as a group in housing arranged for them. Most meals, if not all, will be covered by the program. |
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| Excursions and day trips |
This program takes place in three different cities in Oman. Thus, participants will have numerous opportunities to see a variety of places and engage and encounter the culture. Specific plans include visiting local souqs or marketplaces, mosques and other places of worship, an oil exhibition center and local museums. |
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| Passport and visa |
For U.S. citizens, both a visa and a passport are required for entry into Oman. Information on how to obtain a passport is available from your faculty leader, the summer study abroad office, or the state department website at http://travel.state.gov. Please see the faculty leader about visa requirements. |
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| Vaccinations and health information |
Traveler’s diarrhea and malaria pose potential health threats for people traveling to Oman. It is recommended that all regular immunizations be up-to-date. Faculty leaders may require some vaccinations. See the Center for Disease Control website (http://www.cdc.gov) for more information and complete details. |
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| Eligibility |
All NWC students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or with consent of the faculty leader are eligible to apply. This program is also available to non-NWC students on a space-available basis. |
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| Application |
The 2008–09 Oman application consists of the two-page application form, two recommendations (one from a faculty member, one from a resident director), and a (student copy) transcript. |
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| Application deadline is April 3, 2008 |
Early application is encouraged, as there is limited space on this program. A minimum enrollment is needed in order for the program to run. After the deadline, call for space-availability information. |
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| Program fee |
Tentatively, the program fee will be $3,800 per student. The final fee will depend on the actual number of participants and confirmed prices for airfare, exchange rates, etc. A better estimate of cost will be provided in August. Every effort is being made to keep the cost at a minimum. The program fee will include airfare, in-country transportation, housing, meals or meal stipend, international insurance (medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, basic health), visa fees, orientation, program activities, and excursion and entry fees. Participants will need to cover books, passport and pictures, international phone cards, and individual travel and spending money, among other items. Tuition is not included in the program fee; tuition for these courses will count toward a student’s regular-semester load. Regular credit overload policies will apply. Northwestern College summer study abroad programs are academic, educational, credit-bearing experiences—not mission projects. Study abroad programs are for-credit opportunities that focus on broadening a student’s worldview through immersion in—and academic exploration of—a different culture. Therefore, the Northwestern College summer study abroad office does not sponsor nor coordinate fundraising activities to help participants cover the cost of the program fees. Payment of the program fees remains the responsibility of the participant. |
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| Deposit and financial aid |
Upon acceptance into the program, a $250 deposit will be required to hold a participant’s slot (participants will be notified of the exact payment deadline in the acceptance letter). A second deposit equal to the airfare amount will be required sometime in August. Both deposits will be applied to the final program fee. Financial aid, in the form of loans, may be available. Contact the NWC financial aid office for more information. |
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| Payment deadline |
After determination of the final program fee, on or around Aug. 22, the SSAO will send out billings. Deadline for payment is Dec. 1. Participants will be provided with the payment, cancellation and refund policies upon acceptance into the program. |
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Summer study abroad
