EDUCATION FAIR PROMOTES STUDY IN U.S.

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000536

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI (TROBERTS) ECA/PE/V/R
NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY, PAGNEW)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL KPAO PREL MU
SUBJECT: EDUCATION FAIR PROMOTES STUDY IN U.S.



1. Summary: Embassy Muscat and U.S. Educational Group organized
an educational fair to correct misperceptions about pursuing
higher education in the United States and to inform Omani
students of the high quality undergraduate and graduate programs
that U.S. universities provide. Fourteen U.S. universities were
represented at the fair, which attracted more than 200 students
and their parents. Prior to the beginning of the fair, the
Embassy published an op-ed article under the Ambassador's byline,
welcoming Omani students to the U.S. and dispelling
misperceptions about studying in the United States. End Summary.
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Marketing American Higher Education
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2. Embassy Muscat, in collaboration with the U.S. Educational
Group (USEG),a U.S.-based organization committed to assisting
young men and women from the Arab world in pursuing international
higher education, arranged an education fair in Muscat from
February 26 to 27. Fourteen U.S. universities participated in
the fair, including Saint Louis University, University of
California at Irvine, Ohio University, and Purdue University.
More than 200 students and their parents attended the fair during
which the universities outlined admission procedures, financial
aid options, and course offerings. The Embassy's educational
advisor and university representatives also visited select high
schools to advise students and faculty of educational
opportunities in the U.S.

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America Welcomes Students
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3. The number of Omani students studying in the U.S. dropped
substantially following the attacks of September 11, 2001. The
number has risen since then, but remains below pre-September 11
levels. The fair was part of the Embassy's strategy to conduct
outreach with young Omanis and increase the number of students
opting to study in the U.S. by addressing the misperceptions that
the U.S. no longer welcomes Arab students and that U.S. visa
procedures are cumbersome and require long delays.


4. The educational advisor explained student visa procedures,
pointing out that the vast majority of Omani students wishing to
study in the U.S. obtain their visas in one day. University
representatives assured students that Arab students are welcome
on their campuses and highlighted the respect for religious and
cultural differences that exists at colleges and universities
throughout the United States.

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Omani Feedback
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5. The Omanis who attended the education fair praised the Embassy
and the universities for organizing the event. One parent told
the PAO, "My son has always wanted to study in America, but after
9/11 I was concerned that something bad might happen to him
there. This fair and the letter from your ambassador published
in the paper the other day is causing me to reconsider." Another
parent commented, "I heard that it was almost impossible to get a
visa to visit the States. It just goes to show that you should
not rely on what others tell you. It is best to go directly to
the source." These comments suggest that Omanis are gradually
coming to understand that many of their perceptions of the U.S.
are mistaken.

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Getting the Word Out
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6. Prior to the beginning of the educational fair, local
newspapers published the ambassador's op-ed piece entitled,
"America's Open Arms." The op-ed reflected our commitment to
encourage more Omani students to study in the U.S. and our firm
conviction that foreign students enrich American society and help
to build bridges of