For the first time since before the pandemic, seven students were able to participate in a two-week-long trip to Nizwa, Oman. Thanks to the opportunity provided by the Department of Languages, Cultures, & Literatures (LCL), students deepened their connection to the Arabic language and culture.
Janice Biondo, an undergraduate student at LCL, expressed her excitement about the trip, stating, “I wanted to improve my Arabic and experience living in an Arab country and experience the culture, food, and people up close and firsthand. There's no substitute for studying the language in a country where the target language is spoken.”
During their time in Nizwa, students not only attended Arabic classes at the Daaris Institute but also explored the city’s markets, museums, and traditional mountain irrigation systems. Reflecting on her experience, Biondo shared, “I loved having language partners and the cultural events in addition to the class instruction. It really helped us understand the language, culture, and people so much more.”
Adrienne Paternoster, an undergraduate in International Studies, highlighted the impact of the trip on her language learning journey, saying, “After taking three semesters of Arabic, I felt like I needed to fully immerse myself to reach the next level in my language learning journey. Experiencing the language and culture first-hand has confirmed my aspirations of becoming a foreign service officer with a focus on the Arab World.”
Paternoster also shared her observations of Omani society, noting, “Throughout the two weeks, I witnessed what it felt like to live in a high-functioning society: The streets were clean, I felt safe walking around at night, trustworthiness was an innate characteristic shared amongst the town, and the people were simply incredible.”
Associate Professor of Arabic Emma Trentman, who organized the trip to Oman, emphasized the importance of such experiences in enhancing students' confidence in traveling abroad for longer durations. Trentman encouraged all UNM students to study languages and participate in study abroad programs, mentioning the availability of scholarship opportunities to support such endeavors.
Looking ahead, the Department of Languages, Cultures, & Literatures aims to offer more immersive experiences like the recent trip to Oman, now that students can travel safely. The upcoming Provence Summer Abroad trip in May will provide students with the opportunity to travel between Provence, France, and Paris, France, for two-and-a-half weeks, visiting Roman and French sites.
In conclusion, Adrienne Paternoster shared, “I encourage everyone to study abroad. This trip with Dr. Emma Trentman has truly changed my perspective of the world.”
