FAQs

This page will be used to facilitate information about the Oman Practicum for University of Oregon students invited to participate. As you have questions, please check the website first and then if you don’t see the question you’re asking – send me an email.

1. What are the working dates of the practicum?
   -You need to plan to arrive on the evening of Sunday, 22 March so that you can attend our first meeting at 07:00 on 23 March over breakfast. We will work Monday through Friday. Please plan to stay through Friday, 27 March and you can book a flight out as early as Saturday, 28 March. However, if you would like to participate in the optional field trip you should plan to book a flight out on Sunday, 29 March. I encourage you all to arrive early (see question #5 below).
2. What is the budget? How much money should I take?
   -I can only give a rough but conservative estimate. You will be responsible for making your own reservations (airfare, visa) except for lodging and the tours. The “fee” is to cover smaller group expenses like transportation to and from the campus or supplies that we might need and will be returned to you if not used.
   RT Flight (+/-$2000)
   Lodging-shared room ($600)
   Food ($300)
   Visa ($50)
   Taxi ($100)
   City Day-Tour ($50)
   Optional Day Trip ($100)
   Misc. ($50)
   Fee ($250)**

   TOTAL COST ($3500)

    

3. Where are we going to stay?
   -Well, we have two options and I’d like to discuss it as a group next week because we need to agree on one place collectively. Option #1 is to reserve a few houses on a “ranch” near the school (http://www.creoequestrian.com/creo/). Option #2 is to rent a block of rooms at a local hotel (similar to Remas Hotel Suites).
4. What are the GuTech students like?
   -We will be working with about 40 students. They speak English and most of them are men (90% of the school is male). They do not enroll for the spring term until next week so we don’t know the exact number but I’ll update you as possible.
5. Can I arrive earlier than Sunday, 22 March?
   -Yes! I encourage you to arrive as early as your schedule and budget allow. This will help with jet lag and allow you to rest a bit after your finals before we start an intense week. However, circumstances may not allow you to arrive early and that is okay too. Should you choose to arrive early, you will need to make your own housing arrangements and plan your own activities. I suggest you stay in a historic part of town (I’ve stayed at the Tulip Hotel) and it was pleasant. If you have a few days and are adventurous, try for a flight down to Salalah – it is a beautiful city with underappreciated historic architecture. If you just have a couple of days explore Ras-Al-Khaiman (RAK) – it is part of Oman but actually on the tip of the UAE. RAK is known for amazing boat rides in the fjords on the straight of Hormuz. If you just have a day then you could explore the city or purchase a guest pass at one of the 6-star luxury resorts on the beach and soak up some sun.
6. What are your travel arrangements?
   -I haven’t received my ticket yet but I think I’ll arrive around Wednesday, 18 March or Thursday, 19 March. I will be staying a few weeks afterward to teach the rest of the practicum workshop. I will most likely stay at the faculty housing on the GUTech campus. I will be on all of the excursion trips.
7. Where do I go to get my visa?
   -https://evisa.rop.gov.om/
   -Make sure to apply for a tourist visa!
8. What about  COVID-19? How does this affect our trip?
   -Ultimately, you should assess your personal situation and determine if the risk is appropriate for you. If you decide that it is not appropriate, please contact Lyndsey immediately.
   -The German Technical University in Oman is continuing business operations and will hold the program. We have discussed ways to minimize our risk and sanitation standards.
   -The University of Oregon Health and Safety Risk Management Board met and reviewed study abroad opportunities. They are canceling study abroad programs to South Korea and China at this time, but programs to Europe remain open. The Oman program is not an official study abroad through the GEO program so they cannot “rule” on the program but noted that it is a low risk as of their last meeting 2/28/20.
   -The risk of exposure to COVID-19 is possible due to the long duration of international travel as well as from cases in Oman.