I want to go to America.

"Teacher Amy, what is New York City like? I want very much to go there. I want to go to America and study English."

This innocent question and dream for the future got me thinking. What would happen if a student from Oman picked up and flew out to NYC. What would happen once they got off the plane in their white dishtasha and kuma or their black abaya and shayla? What would people say as they strolled around the city saying "Salaam Aleikum" and getting no response? How would people treat these wonderfully kind and hard working students who happen to be conservative Muslims? Is America going to accept them as Oman accepted me? Will people open their hearts to them? My students have made me feel totally welcome in their world. They are thrilled to meet someone from a different country. They are overjoyed that I am an American. They do not judge me for not wearing a head scarf or covering my body from head to toe. They laugh playfully at my attempts to speak arabic, but will always patiently explain the different letter pronunciation over and over. They accept my religious differences without hesitation.

Oman is one of the most friendly countries I have visited. If you smile at Oman, Oman smiles with you. It honestly is as simple as that. I wonder about America. Why have so many people in our country rejected others who look different or speak different, or follow a different lifestyle. Why do we lump all of Islam into one tiny extremist sector? Why don't we question the images we are fed through media?? In all honesty I had no idea what to expect when I moved here. What would the city be like? Would their be violence everywhere? Now I laugh at my preconceived notions! Violence in Oman?? I feel more safe here than I did walking the streets of Milwaukee, even with a security escort. My minds eye has a different lens. I look forward to returning to the states so I can share my experiences. Perhaps through conversation I can change someone else's preconceived thoughts.