Learning Arabic: in Oman

In her long path to learn Arabic, she headed towards our lovely country, Oman. She didn't know the real Oman before stepping her first steps on its earth. Samiya AL-Mammari meets Ileana Locker to know more about her perceptions of Omanis and Arabic language.

Ileana Locker, a specialized in comparative languages and linguistics New Yorker student, is spending one semester at SQU to study Arabic. She wanted to study Arabic in an Arabic country and through the study abroad program she came across Oman. About her choosing Oman, she comments, “lots of my friends went to study Arabic in Egypt and Jordan but I wanted something different. I needed a unique experience; I wanted Oman". Moreover; she is desired to discover how adaptable she is on living and studying among Omanis. 

Locker says that she got to hear about Oman for her first time through applying to SIT program. “I really feel embarrassed that I knew nothing about Oman before visiting it. We at the U.S have the idea that Gulf citizens don't work because they have a lot of money. Surely, my perceptions have changed as I get to know how simple, friendly and hospitable Omanis are", Locker adds.

Her first week at SQU was a bit shocking as she didn't expect that students' activities will be mixed-genders.  She states, "I didn’t expect that but I had a good time as I had the chance to meet more people and practice my Arabic.  In fact, it was a bit hard but I get to understand about fifty percent of the conversations."

She finalizes the interview saying "SQU encourages students to achieve their ambitions as it provides them with a verity of majors to choose from; for instance, medicine, Arts and law…" In addition, she is glad that SQU provides professors from various nations as that will be culturally beneficial. Locker wishes that "|there will be more exchange students, not only with Arab students but also with western and Europeans". During the upcoming years Locker hopes that she'll be able to improve her fluency in Arabic and decides between working as a diplomatic or go to social work sector."