Study Abroad in Oman
Hello, my name is Brendan Sparks. I am currently a Junior at the University of Arkansas double majoring in International Relations and Middle East Studies with a minor in Arabic. I am also taking and learning Swahili and French. I love learning about other cultures and have a particular interest in the Middle East, North Africa, and East Africa. This summer, I received a scholarship that allows me the opportunity to study abroad in Oman which I am extremely grateful for (I have been wanting to visit the Middle East since I was in 4th grade).
This blog will be updated with news, stories, events, and any other information about my study abroad in Oman. The trip is from May 14th 2013-July 6th 2013 through a scholarship from the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center. The schedule for classes include Standard Arabic, Media Arabic, and the Omani dialect.
A bit about me:
Age: 20
Vegan
Hometown: Fife, Washington but currently living in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Favorite music: Just about any type, usually depends on my mood. My favorite bands are AFI, Incubus, Pierce The Veil, and Rise Against. Also I enjoy Warped Tour
Books: The Prophet, 1984, Animal Farm, Crank, Persepolis
Movies: Up, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, The Hunger Games, Avatar, V for Vendetta
Hobbies: Writing, singing, studying new and interesting things.
This blog will be updated with news, stories, events, and any other information about my study abroad in Oman. The trip is from May 14th 2013-July 6th 2013 through a scholarship from the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center. The schedule for classes include Standard Arabic, Media Arabic, and the Omani dialect.
A bit about me:
Age: 20
Vegan
Hometown: Fife, Washington but currently living in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Favorite music: Just about any type, usually depends on my mood. My favorite bands are AFI, Incubus, Pierce The Veil, and Rise Against. Also I enjoy Warped Tour
Books: The Prophet, 1984, Animal Farm, Crank, Persepolis
Movies: Up, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, The Hunger Games, Avatar, V for Vendetta
Hobbies: Writing, singing, studying new and interesting things.
دراستي في عمان
اهلا و سهلا! السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته! انا اسمي برندان و انا طالب في جامعة اركنساس. ادرس ثلاث لغات: العربية و السواحلية و الفرنسية و انا متخصص في العلاقات الدولية و دراسة الشرق الاوسط. في شهر شباط حصلت على منحة لادرس العربية في بلدة منح في عمان. ساستطيع ان اتكلم و اقرا بالعربية بعد ان اتعلم العربية في عمان ان شاء الله
Masomo yangu Oman
Hujambo rafiki wangu! Jina langu Brendan, na mimi ni mwanafunzi katika chuo kikuu cha Arkansas. Ninasoma Kiarabu na Kiswahili na Kifaransa. Nitasafiri na kusoma Oman. Ninapenda kiswahili lakini sijui kusema Kiswahili mengi.
About Oman: Quick Facts
Capital: Muscat
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Population: 3,154,134 (July 2013 est.)
Chief of State: Sultan and Prime Minister Qaboos bin Said Al-Said
Religion: Islam
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, Qaboos bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and he has since ruled as sultan. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, Omanis began staging marches and demonstrations to demand economic benefits, an end to corruption, and greater political rights. In response to protester demands, Qaboos in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Majlis al-Shura and introducing unemployment benefits. In August 2012, the Sultan announced a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the Sultan in 2011, the municipal councils will have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mu.html
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Population: 3,154,134 (July 2013 est.)
Chief of State: Sultan and Prime Minister Qaboos bin Said Al-Said
Religion: Islam
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, Qaboos bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and he has since ruled as sultan. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, Omanis began staging marches and demonstrations to demand economic benefits, an end to corruption, and greater political rights. In response to protester demands, Qaboos in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Majlis al-Shura and introducing unemployment benefits. In August 2012, the Sultan announced a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the Sultan in 2011, the municipal councils will have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mu.html