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If you are a secondary school student in Oman interested in applying for the YES Program, please click here for more information.

Age Range: 15-17 years of age at program commencement.
Grade Level: Gap year is not recommended.
Host Communities: Students are typically hosted in Muscat. Students will be placed in bilingual and private schools.
Language: The language of instruction is English and Arabic. Host families speak English and Arabic.

Study in MUSCAT, OMAN with YES Abroad
Oman is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Gulf. The geography of Oman varies widely, ranging from mountainous terrain to deserts and lush green oases. Like the geography, the climate also varies by season and location.

The Capital Area of Oman is a combination of the two old cities of Muscat and Matrah and what was, before about 1976, a string of small villages. Matrah is the site of the largest traditional market (suq) in Oman and the main port for the country. Although Muscat’s foundation dates from the 1st century, the town didn’t gain recognition until the 14th and 15th centuries, when it attracted traders. Several of the forts built in these and later centuries are still visible above the harbor of Old Muscat. Muscat means ‘anchorage’, and the sea continues to constitute a major part of the city: it brings people on cruise ships and goods in containers to the historic ports of Old Muscat and Matrah. The corniche (Muscat’s waterfront promenade) is a favorite social site for Omanis as well as for tourists.

Your Host Family
You will live with a host family in Muscat, giving you a chance to form personal relationships with Omanis and participate in family life. Your host families will be carefully screened by AMIDEAST.AMIDEAST will utilize its extensive local networks and home stay placement experience to promote the YES Abroad Program and to identify, screen, and orient appropriate host families, giving special regard to cultural differences, religious sensitivity, diet, and social awareness. Nearly all Omanis are Muslim, so it is almost certain that you will be living with a Muslim family. Omanis speak Arabic in their homes; however, English is widely spoken as well and your host siblings will attend English-medium schools and will, therefore speak English. AMIDEAST makes sure host residences are in a safe neighborhood. In Oman, host families will generally drive their children (and host children) to and from school and other outings. If the family is not available to drive the students, other arrangements will be made for safe, reliable transport. In addition, AMIDEAST checks in regularly with the student and their host family to ensure that both are comfortable with the living situation.

Your High School
Students have, in the past, attended one of three private schools in Oman where the vast majority of the students are Omanis. The main language of instruction at private schools is English, and the schools’ curricula are often a combination of the Ministry of Education’s curriculum as well as elements of the British or American curriculum. Schools are located in safe neighborhoods and have manageable class sizes. Examples of classes that students have taken include: Economics, Social Studies, Geography, English, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Physical Education and Information Technology. Various extra-curricular activities are also available such as music, calligraphy, sports and community service activities.

Enrichment Activities
You will have the opportunity to take part in various activities while in Oman. Some of the activities that students participated in during 2009-10 were:

• Visits to various cities outside the capital such as Nizwa, Salalah and Sur;
• Visits to Oman’s natural attractions including beaches, deserts, caves, forts and souqs;
• Attending local musicals or plays;
• Dinners and receptions held at the US Embassy or AMIDEAST;
• Meetings with YES and Access Microscholarship Alumni;
• Community service opportunities.

The Political & Security Environment
Oman is a stable country that provides a safe environment for exchange students. Following the events during “the Arab Spring” in Egypt and Tunisia there were protests and strikes in Oman. They were centered in the coastal city of Sohar and, while vast majority were peaceful there were some incidents. Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said took steps to accommodate the most pressing issues raised by protestors, including replacing many ministers in his Cabinet and other senior officials. The Sultan remains extremely popular, and at no time did protestors even raise the issue of regime change in Oman. Through AMIDEAST’s intelligence provider iJET, YES Abroad students will receive regular updates about the security situation. AMIDEAST maintains a close relationship with the Regional Security Officer at the Embassy and taps its own sources of information to keep students informed about what is happening in Oman.

Health & Safety
With AMIDEAST’s 60-year presence in the Middle East and North Africa, we are able to draw on strong local connections, and deep understanding of the intercultural, health, safety, and security issues inherent to study in the Arab world. YES Abroad Students are covered by medical as well as Political and Security Evacuation Insurance. Students will also have access to a 24-hour emergency number and our staff members are thoroughly trained to deal with incidents ranging from minor theft to a full-scale evacuation.