The Grand Mosque

On Wednesday (6/24), we visited the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat.  No one in the group had ever been to a mosque before and we were all excited.  It was very hot outside- close to 110 degrees Fahrenheit but it wasn't bothersome. 

The Sultan Qaboos Mosque was built about thirty five years ago but has a timeless beauty that was stunning.  I honestly have no words to try to begin to describe it.  From the glimmering chandeliers hanging from the ceilings to the intricate carpet on the floor, the whole experience was breathtaking. 

 

 

 After we had seen the mosque, several women talked to us about the mosque and Islam and answered the questions that we had about Islam.  Throughout my stay here in Oman, most people have been very respectful and open towards other religions and willing to explain their beliefs and points of view to us.  I was not expecting as much openness as I have found, but I certainly appreciate it. 

After leaving the Mosque, we went to the US Embassy (US soil again.. Yay!) for a security briefing.  Many things in Oman run behind schedule, and per Omani tradition, we were late getting back to school.  As a result, they canceled afternoon classes and gave us a few hours to relax, a nice change. 

The day at the Grand Mosque was probably the best day of the trip so far.   I love seeing more of Oman than what I see on my commute every day, and the beauty of the Mosque is not something that I will soon forget.           

First Week in Oman

This post is also written a week prior to publishing because I do not currently have internet access at my host family's house, but that should change in the next few days. 
Also, there still aren't pictures.

Sorry

I have survived my first week in Oman. 

It’s not as hot as I thought it would be.  Temperatures have ranged between 99 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit but I really enjoy the heat.  It’s a nice change from the Wisconsin cold.

When I came to Oman, I didn't know what to expect.  I still don't know how to describe this country.  Muscat, where we are living, is only 35 years old, but has this ancient feel and it’s so glamorous.  The whole city is framed by the mountains and the ocean in the background and I love it.  I love this city. 

On Saturday night we flew into Doha, Qatar and it was one of the most beautiful experiences.  The city was all lit up and flying into it was surreal.   We spent a little while in the Doha airport but it wasn't long before the plane took off again for Muscat.  The flight was about an hour and a half, and I spent the time trying to study while being ridiculously excited. Flying into Muscat was beautiful also; my first glimpse of the city will be something I never forget.  I think that was the moment that we all fell in love with Muscat; the plane was dead silent.  We got to Oman around 10:30 pm and it was around 100 degrees.  I loved it, although my hair didn't.  We went through customs and immigration and then were finally out of airports, after a very long 32 hours of traveling.  That night we went to our hotel, which was incredibly impressive.  Exhausted, we all slept very well that night. 

On Sunday we had our first day of classes.  The first few weeks that I am in Oman are part of the holy month of Ramadan, so that alters some parts of the experience.  Muslims fast from sunup to sundown and it is illegal for anyone to eat or drink in public during those hours, so I have to be careful about making sure to obey the laws.  Sunday morning was spent during orientation about Ramadan and Islam and then we had our first class in Omani Colloquial Arabic in the afternoon.  Omani Colloquial is the language that Omanis use to communicate and is considered to be a dialect of Modern Standard Arabic, the language that I am here to learn.  It is important to be able to speak Colloquial to be able to communicate in Oman, however.  Learning Arabic is not easy.   Our instructors are really nice though and I am looking forward to the challenge.  During the evening, we got to meet our host families.  I am rooming with another NSLI-Y student.  We were nervous about living with a host family, but once we met them we were much happier and more comfortable.  Our host dad speaks English very well and is quite open and tries very hard to include us as part of the family.  Our older host sister goes to university in England so she speaks English very well and can help us to communicate because we speak very little Arabic.  The whole family has done a good job of including us and trying to treat us just like family. 

On Monday we had Omani Colloquial Arabic in the morning and MSA in the afternoon.  We then moved in with our host family and had our first Iftar.  Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast for Muslims and is generally around 7 pm.  Overall, the food here has been really good, albeit really different and spicy.  Kiwi lime juice might be my new favorite thing. 

There are so many differences here; so many things that I have to think about here that I don't have to think about in the United States.  So many things.       

Tuesday was more class but during the evening Mer and I went to a mall with our host family.  It is comforting to know that wherever I may go, there will still be a Forever 21 and a Toys R Us.  At the Toys R Us, I found a stuffed camel and took a selfie because we were told to avoid camels because of the MERS risk and I really wanted a picture with a camel. 

It's late on Wednesday now.  I've been on program only a week, but it feels like so much longer.  A week ago I was just flying into Washington D.C. and meeting my group.  Since then, I've been in D.C., Frankfurt, Doha, Oman; met my host family, moved 8000 miles away, attempted to communicate in a language of which I understand none, and been happy.  I like it here. 

 

PDO and Flights to Oman

This post is backposted because I do not have internet at my host family's house at the moment. 
Hopefully more recent posts will be coming shortly.
Also, I apologize for the lack of pictures because my phone and laptop are not being very compatible.  Photos will be coming soon hopefully.

First of all, I would like to apologize for the quality of this post as I am  very jetlagged.  

On Wednesday morning, I said goodbye to Wisconsin and boarded the first of my flights headed to Oman.  I flew from Madison to Chicago, where I  met up with another NSLI-Y girl headed for Oman with me.  Unfortunately, the flight that Emily and I were on was delayed several times for logistical reasons.  Thus, Emily and I ended up being the last ones to arrive at Pre-Departure Orientation in Washington D.C. by quite a long stretch.  After we arrived, PDO started with the typical 'get to know you' activities so all of us would be comfortable with each other.  Because there are only ten other students going to Oman, it feels like we will be a reasonably close knit group. 

PDO lasted until Friday morning.  There were lots of sessions that were designed to help teach us how to face the challenges we will encounter in Oman, such as how to adjust to a new culture, how to learn a language, the social and cultural norms of Omani society, and a very helpful session all relating to Islam.   We also had the opportunity on Friday morning to go visit the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center in D.C., where we were told more about practices surrounding Ramadan and also more about the history and culture of Oman in general. 

My favorite part of PDO was Thursday night when we had the opportunity to go see the White House.  No matter how many times I am in Washington D.C., it never really feels real until I see the White House.  The trip to the White House also included a trip to CVS which resulted in some people putting plastic bags on their heads and dancing in the flash flood.

PDO was pretty great. 

On Friday afternoon, we left to catch our flight from Dulles International Airport to Frankfurt, Germany.  We landed in Germany at 8 a.m., which was 1 a.m. for my body clock.  The hour of sleep that I got did not feel like it should be morning.  Staying awaked during the five hour layover in Frankfurt was a challenge, but I managed.  Now we are on our last leg of the flight between Frankfurt and Doha, Qatar.  I believe that we just flew over Iran and are over the Arabian Peninsula.  After the seven hour flight from Frankfurt to Doha, we have another 2 hour flight to Muscat.  I will be really glad to not be sitting in a plane anymore. 

It still feels weird that this is actually happening.  I keep thinking that I'm going to wake up in my own bed tomorrow, but I'm not.   Instead, I will be meeting my host family on Sunday and becoming part of their family.

This is all very weird and I am very tired. 

 

EmmaLeah Hardin

One Day Left in Wisconsin

Hello!
In twenty four hours, my journey to the Middle East will begin.  It still doesn't seem quite real to me.
This summer nine other students and I will be studying abroad for seven weeks in Muscat, Oman through the NSLI-Y Program sponsored by the United States Department of State.  I am incredibly honored to be able to have this opportunity to pursue my international interests and be able to study Arabic. 
I leave tomorrow and fly from Madison to Chicago and then to Washington D.C. for pre-departure orientation.  PDO lasts two days, and on Friday evening we fly to Frankfurt, Germany and have a five hour layover before flying to Muscat, Oman. While in Oman, we have five hours of Arabic classes every day as well as other cultural and language activities.
Yesterday I received my host family information.  Originally, we were only going to stay with host families for the week of Eid (the holy week marking the end of Ramadan), but now we will be staying with them for the entire seven weeks. I am sharing a room with another NSLI-Y student, and our host family consists of a mom and dad, 2 younger brothers, 1 younger sister, and 1 older sister.  I am nervous about living with a host family the entire time, but I think it will turn out to be a great part of the experience.
This summer will be challenging and exciting, and it will all become real very soon.