ideas for youth-led community

service projects into concrete

action plans. Also, the participants

learned essential skills on identify-

ing grant opportunities, writing

winning proposals, developing

coherent budgets, honing presen-

tation and public-speaking skills,

and expanding their leadership and

development skills.

Three YES (Kennedy-Lugar Youth

Exchange & Study Program) Alum-

ni, Hassan Al Busaidi, Miad Al

Shidhani and Kulthoom Al Kha-

mayasi, recently participated in

the Near East and Africa Alumni

Enrichment Seminar organized by

the Alumni Affairs Office in Rabat,

Morocco from September 28-30,

2013. The three-day seminar host-

ed more than 35 alumni from

across the Middle-East and North

Africa. The seminar aimed at

providing alumni of U.S. Depart-

ment exchange programs with

enrichment skills and knowledge

beyond what they have learned in

their exchange experiences. This

year’s seminar focused on effec-

tive approaches to transforming

Highlights:

• YES Alumni Go to Morocco

• Edward Murrow Program

• FY 2013 Alumni Outreach

Activities

• IVLP Participant hosted by

Oman T.V.

• International Students Day

• Resources

Murtadha Al Lawati goes on Edward Murrow Program

YES Alumni Participate in the NEA Alumni Enrichment Seminar

partnership between the US Department

of State, the Aspen Institute, and nine

leading US schools of journalism, brings

more than 100 emerging leaders in the

field of journalism from around the world

to the US each year to examine journal-

istic practices in the U.S. Source

Ahlibank’s head of corporate com-

munications, and Oman TV and Hi

FM radio news anchor Murtadha al

Lawati, has been selected for the

‘Edward Murrow Program for

Journalists’ this year. The pro-

gram, which is a public-private

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES

MUSCAT • OMAN

State Alumni Voice A quarterly newsletter published by the U.S. Embassy in Muscat

November, 2013

U.S. Exchange Programs

http://oman.usembassy.gov/

educational-exchange.html

American English Website

http://

americanenglish.state.gov

U.S. Embassy Muscat

http://oman.usembassy.gov/

O n September 26,

Act of Congress, an

acoustic rock music

band, entertained a

200+ audience on the

lawns of the InterConti-

nental Hotel with blue-

grass, new and old

music . The event was

organized by the Em-

bassy of the United

States of America in

Muscat and was free to all as part of

the band’s regional tour to Oman and

other GCC countries.

Act of Congress has a large reper-

toire of historical folk tunes originat-

ing in the United States as well as

contemporary and original music

composed by the group. The band has

played concerts across the world in

recent years as part of US cultural

events, and now Act of Congress

boasts a healthy worldwide fan base.

The band has released

five studio albums with

the most recent effort,

a live recording of the

band’s seminal sold-

out performance at

the Workplay Theatre

in Birmingham, Ala-

bama, released on CD

and DVD last year.

Band members Adam,

Connie, Chris and Tim are phenome-

nal performers and gifted musicians

who have a magnetic energy onstage.

During their visit they also collabo-

rated with the Oman Oud Hobbyist

Association for a jam session.

speaking, and professional resume

and proposals writing. Besides the

workshops, there will be a number

of sports competitions for male

and female alumni, including soc-

cer and basketball matches, bowl-

ing tournaments, and ice-skating.

These activities will be scheduled

over a period of eight months and

alumni of all U.S. Department ex-

The U.S. Embassy represented by

Public Affairs Section will start

this month a series of development

workshops and sports activities as

part of its alumni outreach activi-

ties plan. The workshops will cover

a variety of topics, like problem-

solving and decision making, pro-

ject management, leadership skills,

message development and public-

change programs are invited to

participate. Announcements for

each event will be sent through

email and social media .

2013/2014 Alumni Outreach Activities

Oman TV Hosts Dr. Amira to Speak about Drug Issues in OMAN

U.S. Embassy Organizes A Musical Concert At Intercontinental

Page 2 State Alumni Voice

International

Visitor Leadership

Alumna Dr. Amira

Al Raidaan, Speaks

about “Drug

Issues” in Oman

of Al Hayyat Drug Association

which promotes awareness among

Omani youth of drugs and their

dangers. The TV interview shed

light on Oman’s efforts in combat-

ing drugs and how youth can bene-

fit from existing institutions like Al

Masrra Hospital to help them over-

come drug abuse and assist others

struggling with drug addiction.

Dr. Amira Al Raidaan, a recent

alumna of the State Department

single country International Visitor

Leadership Program (IVLP) on

combating drugs, was hosted by

Oman TV on October 5, 2013 to talk

about drug issues and how they

are affecting Omani youth. Dr.

Amira works at the “Masrrah”

Hospital and is also the president

Dr. Amira Al Raidaan during the T.V.

interview

Join the Alumni

workshops, learn

new skills, and

connect with fellow

alumni of all

different exchange

programs.

Page 3 State Alumni Voice

“Read more about

other exchange

programs and

opportunities”

Visit: http://

oman.usembassy.go

v/educational-

exchange.html

An international education builds and sustains a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world that benefits

everyone. International students enrich classrooms, campuses and communities in ways that endure long after

students return to their home countries. International students share experiences that connect students, schol-

ars and emerging leaders around the world, enabling them to collaborate and tackle today’s challenges like work-

force development, climate change, and ...global health. The U.S. is the top destination for international students,

hosting a record 764,495 foreign students in the 2011-12 academic year.

Connect with over 100 U.S. educational institutions during International Students Day. This virtual college fair is FREE and

open to everyone. Register at http://goo.gl/QEYuSf Twitter - www.twitter.com/#!/USEmbMuscatInstagram -

www.instagram.com/USEmbassyMuscat

CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK on NOVEMBER 13

Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation

The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation

(AFCP) supports the preservation of cultural sites,

cultural objects, and forms of traditional cultural

expression in more than 100 developing countries

around the world. Deadline: 31/12/2013.

Contact: Batool Baqer at: BaqerBM@state.gov

See more at: http://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-

SUSI for Scholars

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars are six weeks summer

intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide foreign university faculty

and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The ultimate goal

of these Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance

the quality of teaching about the United States in academic insti-

tutions abroad. Deadline: 31/01/2014 Contact: Batool Baqer at: BaqerBM@state.gov

See more at: http://exchanges.state.gov/susi

Exchange Programs Deadlines and Upcoming Events

“Join us today,

Nov 13, 2013 to

celebrate the

International

Students Day”

Where: AMIDEAST

Office.

When: 2-5 p.m.

RESOURCES:

www.ejUSA.state.gov Overcoming Barriers to Equal Education

Pop Culture Versus Real America

English Teaching Forum

Celebrate! Holidays in the U.S.A.

Sing Out Loud: Chil-dren’s Songs

In the Loop: American Idioms Book

Shaping the Way We Teach English

The new website responds to alumni requests for a faster, more modern,

interactive, and accessible website. It features enhancements of your

favorite content including a $33 billion grants database, job opportuni-ties, an e-library of more than 20,000 publications, and alumni news and

events. It also offers exciting new features including a project collabora-tion space as well as tools for you to more easily connect and engage

with your peers. Additionally, the new site features pages that are viewa-ble by the public so that we can work with you to share your achieve-

ments with a global audience.

Visit: https://alumni.state.gov/

International Exchange Alumni Website State Alumni Voice

State Alumni Voice is a quarterly newsletter published by the Public

Affairs Office at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat and aims to connect to

Omani alumni of U.S. exchange programs. The newsletter features alum-

ni news by highlighting alumni recent events and activities as well as

U.S. Embassy outreach programs. It is also a platform for alumni to

share their success stories through their exchange programs and

spread the word about them. The newsletter also provides alumni with

updated information, resources, job and training opportunities and up-

coming events and programs deadlines.

Keep in touch and send us your suggestions for alumni events, inquiries, success stories, and pro-

posals. Contact Alumni Coordinator, Sami Al Kharusi at: AL-KharusiSS@state.gov

U.S Embassy Social Media Links: