Oman: Political Culture and Economic Development in the Gulf

Homestays

"Living with a host family gave me a chance to truly experience Oman, rather than just visit it. My hosts treated me like a daughter and included me in all family activities - from weddings and parties to hospital visits and funerals, and everything in between. The homestay provided insights and experiences that have shaped my perspective on both the country and region as a whole, and I was able to better appreciate my time in the Middle East as a result."

Stephanie Brockman, Yale University

Experience daily life with Omani families in urban and rural areas.

Students live with two different Omani families during the semester. Omani families typically include large numbers of children and grandchildren of different ages, who, if they don't live in the house, visit frequently. In Oman, the homestay is essential not only to help students understand local traditions and religious practices, but also to access opportunities both inside and outside the family. Homestays facilitate full participation in the private sphere of Omani life to which foreigners typically do not have access.

SIT Omani homestay families often introduce students to valuable research contacts for their Independent Study Project and play an important part in the student's introduction to Oman's cultural and ethnic diversity, and Arabic language learning and practice.

Muscat (7 weeks)
Except during excursions and the orientation period, students live with an Omani host family for the duration of their time in Muscat, and, in most cases, remain in that homestay during the ISP period. Homestay families are located across the city, but typically are within a short commute of the SIT program center. SIT provides transportation to and from class and other SIT activities.

Homestay accommodations in Muscat vary among families, but most are middle to upper class. Like the Omani residents of Muscat, host families are very diverse, and students are likely to hear any combination of Arabic, English, Swahili, and Hindi in their home.

Rural homestay in Nizwa (1 week)
Students also live with Omanis in the interior of the country in the Nizwa area. Female students typically live with families, while male students usually stay in private housing with Omani students from two local colleges. In Nizwa, Arabic predominates.

Standards of living in the interior are typically simpler than in Muscat, and lifestyles are dramatically different. During this time, students will be able to polish their Arabic, experience gender segregated living, and make lasting friendships with their peers at local colleges.

Other accommodations during the program include two or three star hotels, and one “desert camp.”