It’s up-and-coming, which means you can avoid hordes of tourists: Oman is a relatively new tourist destination and an even newer destination for students of Arabic. Experience something a bit different on your Year Abroad!
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Natural beauty; a paradise for the outdoorsy person: Wadis, mountains, beaches, desert… If you love hiking, swimming or great photo opportunities then Oman is the place for you! Just make sure to take care of yourself in the sun…
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Great gastronomy: Dine in fancy restaurants overlooking the sea in Al-Qurum, or chow down on local food at the souq that won’t burn a hole in your pocket (and also probably overlooking the sea…).
Heaps of hospitality and generosity: Omanis are known for their friendly nature and you will probably get a fair share of invites for coffee and dates (the fruit, not a romantic proposition- but you might get those too…) at people’s houses. Chatting with an Omani is also a great way of improving your Arabic as they love to hear foreigners speaking their language. You are bound to get a few (hundred) mashaallah!s during your taxi rides alone.
Rich in culture and traditions: Oman is a conservative country where tradition is valued. A day won’t go by without you seeing a sea of white dishdashas, the traditional clothing worn by men. Make sure to go to the Muscat Festival to witness the Omani culture first hand- from Bedouin crafts to tasty treats.
Close enough to the Emirates if you need a break: party and shop in Dubai, relax on a beach in Fujairah, visit Ferrari world in Abu Dhabi…
Safe and peaceful: Omanis are proud of the security within their country, and rightly so. Oman’s foreign policy is based on making and keeping friends, and keeping out of neighbouring conflict (think Yemen). The general level of crime is also reassuringly low.
Breathtaking architecture: The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is just one stunning piece of Islamic architecture found in Oman, and the country also boasts picturesque Portuguese forts dating back to the 16th century.
Heaps of hospitality and generosity: Omanis are known for their friendly nature and you will probably get a fair share of invites for coffee and dates (the fruit, not a romantic proposition- but you might get those too…) at people’s houses. Chatting with an Omani is also a great way of improving your Arabic as they love to hear foreigners speaking their language. You are bound to get a few (hundred) mashaallah!s during your taxi rides alone.
Rich in culture and traditions: Oman is a conservative country where tradition is valued. A day won’t go by without you seeing a sea of white dishdashas, the traditional clothing worn by men. Make sure to go to the Muscat Festival to witness the Omani culture first hand- from Bedouin crafts to tasty treats.
Close enough to the Emirates if you need a break: party and shop in Dubai, relax on a beach in Fujairah, visit Ferrari world in Abu Dhabi…
Safe and peaceful: Omanis are proud of the security within their country, and rightly so. Oman’s foreign policy is based on making and keeping friends, and keeping out of neighbouring conflict (think Yemen). The general level of crime is also reassuringly low.
Breathtaking architecture: The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is just one stunning piece of Islamic architecture found in Oman, and the country also boasts picturesque Portuguese forts dating back to the 16th century.
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| If you have any queries about doing a Year Abroad in Oman, don’t hesitate to email me at charlotte.darrell@durham.ac.uk. |  | Written by Charlotte Darrell |
