Oman Political Culture and Development Program
Language Requirements
No language prerequisite, but some students arrive with prior Arabic experience. Students will be placed into a required Arabic language class based on their level of competency.Northwestern Requirements
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.Program Requirements
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, but the average applicant has a GPA of 3.5.
- Students must have completed at least one year of college-level coursework at time of application.
Academic Specialties
The program is best suited for students who are "self-starting and motivated" and deeply interested in understanding the complexity of Middle East issues and gaining some familiarity with spoken Arabic.Course Type
The program awards up to 16 undergraduate credits:- Intensive Language Study: Arabic (6 credits / 90 class hours)
- Political Culture and Development Seminar (4 credits / 60 class hours)
- Field Study Seminar (2 credits / 30 class hours)
- Independent Study Project (4 credits / 120 class hours)
Additional Information
Planned Excursions:
Sites in Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
About Muscat:
Muscat is a good setting to learn about Arab culture within a dynamic nation that exhibits both its traditional aspects and its interaction with globalizing economic and political forces.
Housing
Home stays and/or dormitories:- SIT program students live in home stays during their 6-8 weeks in Muscat. Such family arrangements are unique for the Middle East, where cultural norms make these opportunities for foreigners to glimpse private family life up close on an extended basis unusual.
- During the ten day "Village Stay" the women in the program are housed with families but the realities of the more conservative rural environment prevent the males from living with families who instead live in dormitories.
Program Costs
Fall 2009: $23,922
- This includes the estimated cost of tuition, room, board, books, transportation, personal expenses and SAAF. The sample costs provided are for the fall term; for other terms and for the most current cost, contact the sponsoring organization.
Application Requirements
Prior to receiving an application, all Northwestern students must complete the following steps:- Complete the mandatory Study Abroad 101 Quiz on Blackboard. Call 847-467-6400 or e-mail studyabroad@northwestern.edu (include your name and netID) to register for this quiz.
- After receiving a score of 90% or above, students can pick up the Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad at the Study Abroad Office. This application it is not available online.
- SIT program application, available on the SIT web site. This application is generally due May 15th for fall semester programs, and November 1st for spring semester programs, however consult the SIT web site for the most recent deadlines.
- Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad
