Over the years, institutions of higher education in the United States have being ranked among the top and best in the world as a result of their exceptional education curriculum. Nations have been advocating for more of their student to seek education abroad through establishing scholarship programs to assist bright applicants financially as it is a costly affair. Among the countries whose number are India, China and South Korea. Saudi Arabia is also joining this bracket of countries campaigning for their students to apply for universities and colleges in the United States. The efforts were spear headed by former Saudi ruler, King Abdallah who started a scholarship program for Saudi students. The growing number of international students means that the United States has to put in mechanisms and measures to ensure that these foreign students receive proper treatment and equal educational opportunities as their counterparts. In this proposal, I will focus on the issue of the escalating number of Saudi scholars in the United States, the impact that it has had and the improvements or adjustments the hosting government should make in order to ensure that these foreign students get the education they seek.
The Saudi Arabian government commissioned an agency called Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) to oversee programs and policies administered appropriately to its students studying abroad in the United States. The agency was established in 1951 and doubles up as an intermediary between the United Sates institutions and their counterparts in the region. It focuses on issues pertaining education, culture and science. According to statistics from the agency, the number of Saudi students currently enrolled in American colleges and English Language Schools (ESL’s) amount to over 100,000 (Hausheer). In 2013 alone, there was a reported 30% increase in the number of fresh enrollments as compared to the previous year. It is obvious that this massive number of students has a notable effect especially culture wise when they return home (Hausheer). The Saudi Arabian culture is conservative. James Smith, who is the United States ambassador to Saudi Arabia notes that the increasing population of Saudi students in the West would hopefully be large enough to catalyze a positive change to the Nation’s conservative culture. He says that, “they have received a world-class education. As they now come home they will have the opportunity to shape the future development of the Kingdom and the future of the Saudi-American friendship” (Hausheer).
The Saudi Arabian government commissioned an agency called Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) to oversee programs and policies administered appropriately to its students studying abroad in the United States. The agency was established in 1951 and doubles up as an intermediary between the United Sates institutions and their counterparts in the region. It focuses on issues pertaining education, culture and science. According to statistics from the agency, the number of Saudi students currently enrolled in American colleges and English Language Schools (ESL’s) amount to over 100,000 (Hausheer). In 2013 alone, there was a reported 30% increase in the number of fresh enrollments as compared to the previous year. It is obvious that this massive number of students has a notable effect especially culture wise when they return home (Hausheer). The Saudi Arabian culture is conservative. James Smith, who is the United States ambassador to Saudi Arabia notes that the increasing population of Saudi students in the West would hopefully be large enough to catalyze a positive change to the Nation’s conservative culture. He says that, “they have received a world-class education. As they now come home they will have the opportunity to shape the future development of the Kingdom and the future of the Saudi-American friendship” (Hausheer).
Through the agency, Saudi’s national educational and training policies are implemented in a bid to provide qualified individuals with the capability of helping achieve the kingdom’s goals and vision of cultural growth and development. It is mandated with providing the best educational opportunities in the best colleges and universities the United States has to offer. Students are supported both financially and academically so that they can achieve their educational goals. In addition, it ensures that Saudi’s cultural practices and traditions are widespread to other parts of the globe.
More than 6 decades ago, there was an alarming literacy level in Saudi Arabia, with statistics rating it at below 5% (Knickmeyerm). Currently according to research carried out by Ellen Knickmeyerm, the rate has gone up to about 79% as data from CIA world fact book indicates. A third of this population has university degrees. One of the main issues of concern in Saudi Arabia is the extent to which religious conservatives influence the curriculum. The kingdom was ranked 93rd out of 129 participating nations as regards the quality of education index as Knickmeyerm further notes. These religious conservatives tend to concentrate more on theology rather than focusing on math and science subjects. According to Knickmeyerm, the United States began to check foreign nationalities seeking citizenship in its soil after the terror attacks of 9/11. It was claimed that 15 of the 19 hijackers were of Saudi origin. As a result as Knickmeyerm continues to note, the United States put in tough restrictions which kept away most of the Saudi students from entering the country. The United States state department records that by 2004 the number of Saudi students stood at only 1000 (Knickmeyer). After King Abdallah ascended on the throne, he set out to discuss manners through which the United States would waive its restrictions so that Saudi students would be allowed to pursue their education in the country. As only rich kids could afford the expensive tuition required, there was also need to design a strategy that would ensure or assist those who could not afford the tuition fee but were bright enough to study abroad. Thus, the King started the King Abdallah scholarship program. Earlier, it was only privileged children who were able to secure positions to learn at these foreign institutions. The scholarship however seeks to sponsor any bright and promising student in the society. King Abdullah’s intentions were to foster foreign travel and science. The King knew that there was need to modernize the country, which was achievable if they exposed young talented and ambitious students to a different culture (Knickmeyer).
Establishment of these mechanisms has seen the number of Saudis studying in the country increase drastically. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, the kingdom has been one of the rapidly growing source of foreign students having sent over 66000 students to the United Sates universities in the previous year (Song). The United States administrators saw this as an opportunity to generate revenue in order to survive the tough financial times as a result of the economic crunch (Song). They increased the tuition fees. On the other hand, the concerned parties have noticed the increasing enrollments and majority among them being the Central Washington University in Ellensburg, went ahead to offer Saudi cultural practices as an incentive to make foreign students feel compelled to enlist with them. For example, the Central Washington University in Ellensburg, offered to provide halal food that been prepared in accordance to Islamic culture (Knickmeyer). They did so in order to accommodate the 150 new Saudi applicants joining their institution in the year 2011. This shows the continual increase of the number of Saudis studying in the United States. Currently more than 130000 people have registered for abroad education under the king’s scholarship and the numbers continue to increase (Knickmeyer).
Being a conservative society, Saudi Arabian culture dictates certain prohibitions especially to the women. For example, they are not allowed to drive a vehicle on their own and should also be accompanied by a male companion when travelling. The exposure of their students after travelling abroad tend to broaden their perspective on such issues, as there are no such restrictions imposed in the United States. Thus, these students are able to adapt in a multicultural society and adopt positive traits, which are vital into shaping their culture back at home. Among the major changes that are being campaigned for is the need to moderate the religious extremism in the kingdom. Some religious factions have protested against the permission to allow women travel abroad for further studies, arguing that it is likely to erode their morals and values. However, they have instead proven to develop their intellectual identity, always outperforming their male peers in terms of grades. In addition to this, according to universitylanguage.com, they also get opportunities to partake in activities that would be impossible at home such as working or getting a driver’s license. This exposure also allows them to take on responsibilities that otherwise would have been left for the men back at home. This results to a more dynamic and empowered Saudi woman, who is not confined by strict cultural beliefs (Lennon).
One of the major challenges that the two countries faced is how to maintain connections and networks after the foreigners return home. This can be rectified by building of alumni databases to facilitate communication and networking links after students return home. The Cultural Mission agency is mandated with overseeing this. Secondly, it is important to establish more ESL, The ESL’s help break down culture and language barriers. Through pairing students with foreign exchange partners, dialogues and long lasting friendships are established. Campuses should also establish writing centers with enough and adequate facilities for the Saudi students who often struggle to get satisfactory assistance. Saudi students as a result can hone their writing skills in the universities and colleges (Hausheer).
In conclusion, numbers of Saudi students seeking abroad education in the United States has escalated over a considerable period of time. The two countries have as a result agreed on policies and work together to promote cultural exchange as well as developing intellectual individuals. Once these Saudi students return home, they are committed to develop their kingdom by employing the skills and knowledge acquired in the U.S. In addition, they are able to instigate change regarding some popular cultural beliefs and practices, which are especially campaigned for by religious extremists. It is evident that these numbers will continue increasing drastically as more students from Saudi Arabia choose to pursue their education in the United States.
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Refrences and Citations
"Adjusting to an American Education” Web. 26.Jun.2014 http://www.universitylanguage.com/guides/adjusting-to-american-education-as-a-foreign-student/
This article delves on the challenges that foreign students face while adjusting to life in the United states, The author points out the key challenging areas a foreigner will likely have to deal with while a freshman in an American Institution.
This article is credible an useful as it will help identify the challenges that language barrier for example, pose to Saudi students trying to adapt to the American lifestyle. This article is important in supporting my proposal because it explicates on how Saudi Arabian students cope with life in US schools.
Hausheer, Stefanie. Not the Saudi Arabia You Hear About: The Students Abroad Factor – Hausheer | SUSRIS. (n.d.). Web. 26.Jun.2014 http://susris.com/2014/02/26/not-the-saudi-arabia-you-hear-about-the-students-abroad-factor-hausheer/
In this article, the author tries to illustrate the difference in the Saudi Arabian culture practiced at home and that practiced abroad. She wants to emphasize that the Saudi student abroad is much different as compared to the one that is stuck at home. Being overseas, one is presented with the opportunity of indulging in a multicultural society where he or she picks traits from other individuals through interaction.
The article is important as it helps show that women for example if given the chance are capable of undertaking responsibilities otherwise designated for men. In the united States for example, there lacks certain pervasive practices such as prohibiting women to drive and hence those Saudis studying there enjoy this privilege In return they get to carry out general responsibilities such as going shopping among others.
I will use this source to justify my proposal as Hausheer does a good job in conducting convincing research as pertains the subject matter. It is thus a credible source and it will strengthen my observations that the perpetual increase of foreign students in the United States is a good thing for both nations.
Knickmeyer, Ellen. Saudi Students Flood in as US Reopens Door. The Wall Street Journal, 8
Nov. 2012. Web. 8 June 2014.
Knickmeyer’s article presents a discussion regarding the rise of Saudi students in US institutions of higher learning; particularly after US reopened the door again following constrained relations with Saudi after the September 11 attacks. According to Knickmeyer, the number of Saudi Arabian students attending US schools reduced significantly since 2001 to about 1,000 Saudis only in 2004 who were studying in the US. However, currently as the US reopened doors for Saudi students and as the government of Saudi Arabia started a massive foreign study government-paid program; in 2011 alone, 66,000 students were sent to US universities. The number of Saudi students studying in the US has risen significantly that, Saudi Arabia is the fastest growing source of US foreign students, actually ahead of China. Further, Knickmeyer observes that, in order for the US to accommodate the rising number of Saudi students, initiatives such as the one offered by Central Washington Administrators where they offer halal food to Saudi students prepared under Islamic law have been common in most universities.
The article by Knickmeyer has firstly focused on the effect of US relations with Saudi Arabia following the September 11 attacks. This historical evaluation is indeed significant in understanding the nature of relations especially when there are security issues between two countries. More significantly, however, Knickmeyer has noted how the US worked on its foreign policy and reopened doors for more Saudi students join US schools. Notably, the US improved its foreign policy because of the financial crunch and it is true to identify in the article that Saudi students are indeed saviors of the US economy. It is also important for Knickmeyer to note that since 2005 the Saudi government has done a lot in supporting education. According to Knickmeyer since King Addullah took over, his administration emphasized on scientific education and as a result opened Saudi foreign policy to education exposure as an essential way of transforming Saudi and combating extremism.
This article is important in supporting my proposal because it elucidates on how Saudi Arabian students manage life in US schools. For example, Knickmeyer noted that “dressed in caps and gowns, the college students packing a graduation ceremony in suburban Washington, D.C., acted like excited graduates anywhere in the United States” (n.p). This indicates how easily they were subservient to foreign culture where possible and could easily blend to enhance their socialization.
Lennon, Alexander T. The Epicenter of Crisis: The New Middle East. Massachusetts: MIT Press,
2007. Print.
Lennon's study postulates that the preconceived global crisis that many analysts have documented has its epicenter in the Middle East. According to Lennon, the arc of the global crisis is believed to stretch from the Balkans through the Middle East into Southeast Asia. This global cauldron of potential ethnic conflict, civil war, failed states, rogue states, proliferation, and terrorism contains many of the security challenges that accelerated globalization presents today. Lennon argues that analysts envision the center of this crisis to be six contiguous states that are Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. These are the countries where Islam and the way it influences the world has been most dramatically changing since the September 11 attacks. Saudi Arabia is home to Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad and the holiest city in Islam. It is also the wahhabi branch of Sunni Islam and 15 of the 19 September 11 hijackers. In implication then, the US has focused significantly in improving its relations with Saudi Arabia as a way of combating terrorism.
Notably, in the book Lennon argues that after the September 11 attacks, Saudi student visa applications fell by 80 percent. The book offers a foundation for understanding foreign relations in the face of terrorism, and the extent to which education and intercultural bids are part of the wider picture in combating terrorism. In Lennon’s indication that, there was a dramatic decrease in the number of Saudi students studying in the US over the last few years, one has to think on what facilitated the massive rise seen today. Although the book has covered a variety of subjects regarding the Middle East crisis, it equally has insight on Saudi Arabia’s cultural mission rooted in its education and foreign policy.
I intend to use the book extensively because it has covered numerous topics concerning Saudi Arabia’s cultural mission in the face of the Middle East as well as the global crisis. The study notes that the oil reserves in Saudi Arabia are decreasing significantly, and there is need to turn into modern science in order for the country to proliferate technologically and foster all tenets of development. Moreover, historical knowledge provided in the book concerning the global crisis is necessary in understanding US relations with Saudi Arabia.
Song, Jason. More Saudi Arabians Studying in the US. Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2013. Web.
8 June 2014.
The article by Song presents a critical analysis of the rising number of Saudi students in the US, arguing that a study abroad scholarship program started by Saudi government has fueled the increase. Song indicates that the number of Saudi students in the US increased to 44,566 in 2012, projecting a 30% rise from 2011. Moreover, according to Song, the Saudi Arabian government is working robustly to increase the level of education in the country, for modernization and future capacity building. For instance, the kind of discrimination that was observed in female education is now fading away, as many women are studying now in the country. Further, the notion that only children from wealthy families could afford international education in Saudi Arabia is also changing since the scholarship programs target capable students from various backgrounds. Song also notes the experience of Saudi students in the US. For example, a student known as Alattas studying cognitive science in Berkeley says “I like that US is very diverse and multicultural and that people are not afraid to identify themselves” (n.p).
Since the article is most recent as it was written in November 2013, the information contained is fundamental in supporting my proposal that there is a current increase of the number of Saudi students studying abroad. The experience of Saudi students that Song focuses on is also important in identifying how Saudi students fit in a multicultural environment. In explaining the Saudi Arabian cultural mission, Saudi students in multicultural US schools provide rich cultural integration experiences that help in shaping the premises of my paper. For example, Song observes the sentiments of Saudi women students in US and in one instance, a woman responded, “back at home, I am used to getting a driver, here you have to do everything on your own” (n.p).
The article will be useful in supporting my paper because it not only focuses on the rising number of Saudi students in the US, but also about their cultural experiences and the manner in which they learn to accept modernity. I will use the article by extracting some of the statistics carried and weighing them on the wider picture of the Saudi Arabian cultural mission. The intent of utilizing the experiences of Saudi students in the US is to support the propensity at which Saudi people readily absorb culture while retaining their positive values even in foreign lands.