The Opportunity in the development of the relationship between Saudi students and the University of St. Thomas (UST).

A walk around the campus of the University of Saint Thomas could be a bit surprising. In the Midwestern state of Minnesota, it may be unusual to see such a diverse student population. Not only does the University of Saint Thomas (UST) appeal to students from all over the country, but it also draws students from around the world. Equally surprising is that the largest demographic of international students at UST, a Catholic institution, is from Saudi Arabia, considered the heart of the Muslim religion. These two groups of deeply religious students not only tolerate each other they actually create a thriving, multicultural environment on campus. Saudi students are able to fully immerse themselves in the student life at UST. There is an official school-authorized Saudi club on campus, and there is an English school that shares space with UST to prepare students for the rigorous university classes. Nevertheless, the ability to do something is not the same as actually doing it. Although Saudi students consider UST to be their campus the same way that other students do, many of them struggle with transition, isolation, and even ostracism. Although most of the students are succeeding academically, their integration into normal life both on campus and off is failing. What can be done? Or, more specifically, what should be done and by whom? Since the majority of a Saudi students time is spent in school-related activities, UST should assume the majority of the responsibility of helping them transition smoothly into their new lives. It is first important to understand why and how so many Saudi students arrived in St. Paul, Minnesota. Beginning in 1999, due to cooperation based on mutual interests, the

United States agreed to receive Saudi students into the United States for the primary purpose of pursuing higher education. Since that time, the number of Saudi students began to increase in the United States. They receive tuition money, funds for room and board, clothing, medical care, one round trip plane ticket to visit Saudi Arabia each year, and other benefits from their government, according to Sonya Schryer (Saudi Arabian Americans, 2012). This has enabled even the non-wealthy students of the country to pursue a high-quality education. The goal of this generous scholarship program is to equip Saudi nationals with the proper knowledge and experience to return to their country and contribute to its economic growth in future years. In the 2010/2011 academic year, it was estimated that there were 22,704 Saudi students in the United States. This number increased over 50% in 2011/2012 to 34,139 (Institute of International Education). Partly due to the large number of accredited Universities in Minnesota (there are at least six in and around the Twin Cities), Minnesota has become a popular place for international students. Additionally, its drastic change of climate and terrain appeals to students sense of adventure. UST, in particular, draws Saudi students because it is small, offers excellent programs in fields of interest, and has an English language school nearby which easily moves graduates into college classes. Unlike the University of Minnesota, which enrolled over 50,000 students for the 2012-2013 school year, the University of St. Thomas is located on a small campus of about 10,000 students - a fifth of the size. This makes a difference for an international student, especially a Saudi student. A smaller campus is easier to get around; small class sizes mean more individualized attention from professors; and new faces become easier to recognize. Furthermore, UST is reputed for offering extensive courses in relevant areas

of study for Saudi students, who are encouraged to pursue degrees in fields of engineering, technology, and other economic sciences. Even the faith culture on campus can appeal to Saudi students who relate well to structured academic environments with a religious focus. Although they dont agree on all of the same points of religion, Saudi students can appreciate many similarities between the two practices. Because UST is a religious school, it requires its students to agree to a Code of Conduct. This agreement means that students promise to behave according to the rules of their religion. These behavior rules also provide some feelings of security for Saudi students on UST campus. Though there are many unique aspects of UST that make Saudi students decide to attend, there are also several things about the University that make Saudis wish to transfer to a different University soon after they enroll. What is it that makes Saudis so uncomfortable at UST? The truth is, not all of the reasons are the fault of UST. However, the University could provide most of the solutions to the students problems. Anyone who has ever lived abroad will admit that culture shock can be one of the most difficult things to overcome. Culture shock is the experience of being completely immersed in a new culture including new climate, language, laws, traditions, foods, and relationships. This experience can be overwhelming, especially for students who have never experienced independent travel before. Most Saudi students who come to study in the United States have never lived away from their families for more than a few weeks. Their environment in Saudi Arabia is familiar to them and predictable. On the other hand, when they arrive in St. Paul (particularly in the winter months), everything is unfamiliar and unpredictable.

A simple task such as getting an apartment or finding a homestay family is overwhelming for most Saudi students since they have never had to do such things before. Truthfully, the best place for a student to live is with a family. In a homestay situation, the student can provide an additional source of income to a family while the family can provide a warm, hospitable environment in which to practice conversational English while also sharing traditional lifestyles of people in the United States. If students are in a safe and study-friendly environment, they are much more likely to succeed in their studies with the support and encouragement of a family. Additionally, it can bring a familiarity (since almost all Saudis live at home until they get married) of living in a family setting. It can keep students out of trouble and they could have many of their basic needs met without stress of paying electricity bills or buying groceries. Unfortunately, there is not a good system of finding such families for students. Although ELS, the English school that is connected to UST, does have a homestay program, many students dont use it because it is very expensive and impractical as most of the homestay families live several miles from the English school and the University. The time that students spend traveling back and forth from their homestay families (often using public transportation) uses valuable study and practice time. Another difficult transition for Saudi students is the different structure and expectations of classes in the United States. The general requirements in a class in the United States are much more general than in Saudi Arabia. For example, a student who wants to get a bachelors degree in engineering would not expect to take classes in literature, religion, or philosophy. However, at UST, all undergraduate students are required to take prerequisite courses such as these no matter what degree program they

have chosen. In Saudi Arabia, there is not usually much emphasis on creative writing. Essays, especially reflective or argumentative essays, are not common in high school. This is one of the biggest challenges for Saudi students when they are learning English. After they enroll in University classes, they assume that they will begin to study things that relate to their specific interests. Students feel frustrated that they have to take courses that arent important to their major or their future careers. They dont understand that these courses can help them become more well-rounded students. Isolation is new experience for Saudi students in the United States. As explained earlier, most students come from large family environments, which act as a unit for each individual family member. Saudi Arabia is built on these family units. They are strong and carry a lot of influence over peoples decisions. For example, if a Saudi is trying to decide what car to buy, many members of the family even uncles and cousins would help the Saudi with the process, from choosing the car to getting the license and insurance. This family cooperation relieves many of the pressures of daily life. In contrast, when Saudi students come to study at UST, they are usually completely on their own. Some of them have cousins or friends who try to help them, but the reality is that each of them is overwhelmed, too. All of them are trying to figure out how to organize their lives to fit into their new surroundings. Therefore, students feel very homesick and often struggle with depression, weight loss or weight gain, and anxiety. Lastly, although Martin Luther King, Jr. made an impact on the way that the United States tolerates other races, Arabs in particular, Saudi Arabs often experience racism and exclusion from general community life in St. Paul. Despite the vast number of international students around the Twin Cities, Saudi students stand out as a minority

group. Many generalizations are made about them by landlords, professors, and even other students. At UST, Saudi students feel that they are not treated in the same way as other students. They are suspected of things like cheating and being lazy. Just as in every country, every student is unique and should be treated without prejudice. Other UST students, too, exclude Saudis and act uncomfortable around them if they are placed in class groups or assigned as study partners with them. Students say insensitive things about Saudi Arabia as a country and its customs and beliefs. This ostracism makes Saudis feel embarrassed and defensive, which forces them to cluster more with their own nationality. This is bad for a students education as it prevents them from having a true experience of class participation and student interaction. Having analyzed some of the most common hindrances in Saudi students pursuit of education at UST, the natural response is, what can be done about this? The University of St. Thomas has a unique opportunity. By having so many Saudi students studying at the University, the education programs could be credited for having major impact on future economic success in Saudi Arabia. UST should address some of these issues and offer solutions to them in order to make Saudi students transition into campus life easier. First, UST should create a housing program for international students. This should include options to both live in apartment or dorm-type housing as well as homestay options. Ideally, students should be encouraged to live with families that are near the campus. This would provide the most benefits to the students. UST should reach out to families in the neighborhoods around the campus through mailings and community

outreach. Nearby churches would also be a good resources for finding families, since UST is a Catholic institution. UST could keep a master list of available families and set up interviews between students and the families to make sure that they are going to be a fit for each other. The families should get the majority of the fee, but UST could take a ten percent payment from each student that is successfully placed in a home. UST should also communicate with apartment buildings near campus and work with the landlords to provide flexible leasing options. Currently, most apartments require that tenants sign a lease for one year, but this is very inconvenient for students. Rather, the apartment buildings should have agreements with UST, which would provide exclusive placement of students in their apartments in exchange for flexible lease options. Second, international students (both undergraduate and graduate level) should have a separate, required orientation that explains the vision of the school and what their goals are in fostering well-education students. Because of the different cultures and educational backgrounds that Saudi students are coming from, UST should not assume that the students understand the benefit of classes like philosophy. UST should hold a special orientation for international students to explain their liberal arts view of education and why it will benefit students no matter what degree program they have chosen. They should also provide some background information and assistance to students about the culture of the school and how to relate with teachers and students since, again, the cultures are different. Saudi students might feel uncomfortable in their religion classes because they are not Catholic. UST should encourage international students to express their views and participate in all of their classes to increase their understanding and their GPA.

Third, UST must be sensitive to international students lack of support. Mentorship programs should be created which link one international student with a UST student who could be a resource for any questions or situations that come up, such as purchasing a car or making a dentist appointment. UST has a lot of volunteer opportunities for students such as serving the homeless and tutoring school-age children. Another way for students to serve the community would be help their fellow classmates. International students must learn how to adapt very quickly. Saudi students, especially, might not know all that they need to do to prepare for the cold winter months in Minnesota. UST student mentors could be available to help international students as they adjust to their new lives. Fourth, education about international students at UST should extend to professors and non-Saudi students. They should be educated on why culture and traditions are important, and they should be encouraged to learn more about international students by interacting with them both in class and outside of class. Most of the prejudice against Saudis comes from some ignorance about their country or their religion. If professors and non-Saudi students at UST learn about things like the relationship of Saudi Arabia with the United States (before 9/11) and also the similarities between their own Catholic religion and the Saudi religion of Islam, the ostracism would decrease. UST receives full tuition for each Saudi student from the government of Saudi Arabia. Not only are they receiving financial benefits from Saudi students, but they are also benefitting from Saudis unique contributions to the academic life on campus. Their culture and worldviews provide an additional education outside of the classroom. UST should take more responsibility in taking care of the international students by providing additional resources for them. By making them more comfortable in their new

environment, Saudi students will be more likely to continue their studies at UST and recommend the campus to other international students looking for a good education and environment in the United States. Lastly, in order to retain international students and recruit new students in the years to come, UST needs a strong action plan to implement the following support systems. UST currently provides a writing center where employees review a students work and provide suggestions to improve grammatical errors. In addition, the center should help international students understand the concept of the language and review all papers, presentations and projects in order to give suggestions of places to improve the context. UST could also incorporate full-time graduate students into various undergraduate extra-curricular activities so they can have the same on campus experiences as undergrad students, such as clubs, access to exercise facilities and even student worker employment in the international campus office. Providing opportunities to visit organizations in the Twin Cities to allow them to get a taste of how US businesses work will offer networking opportunities for these students. In addition to the graduate program curriculum, UST could offer a training program on various topics: understanding local government, learning new computer programs, presentation skills, language, writing and conversation. The classes would be short in length and duration, giving the students opportunity to participate. These classes would be very attractive for international students so they feel more connected to the school and the community. What opportunity will UST have from investing in these programs? It will increase where UST is ranked overall for international student enrollment. UST will attract more international students and be recognized by the Institute of International

Education. In a November 20th, 2012 article by Kelly Engebretson from the UST newsroom, she reported there were 12,735 international students studying in Minnesota in the 2011-2012 academic year and Minnesota ranked 19th in the nation for its total number of foreign students. Of those 12,000 plus international students in Minnesota, only 99 (out of 182) students from Saudi Arabia attend UST. These numbers are low compared to 5,661 at UofM, 1,250 at St. Cloud State University and even 770 at UofMMankato. By increasing the international student population, there will be more opportunity to maintain relationships with businesses around the world with those who graduate from UST. Having a diverse student body will increase the competition and motivate students to work hard. The financial advantage is important to keep in mind. According to USA Todays November 12, 2012 issue, international students and their dependents contributed $22.7 billion to the U.S. economy last year in tuition, fees and living expenses. Increasing support for international students can be a financial win for UST. In closing, the next time you walk around campus at UST and see an international student in class, in the computer lab, or even in the student center, take the opportunity to engage in conversation. It could be a learning opportunity for you and for that student.

Sources: http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Saudi-Arabian-Americans.html http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/02/24/6014237-after-911-us-gave-morevisas-to-saudi-students?lite http://www.oir.umn.edu/student/enrollment/term/1129/current/12474 http://www.stthomas.edu/policies/undergraduate/disciplinaryrights/nonacademic/ http://search.proquest.com/docview/1151370943 http://www.saudiembassy.net/press-releases/press12011101.aspx http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/record-number-of-saudi-students-nowstudying-in-the-us-134842878.html http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-1990078.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304830704577492450467667154.html http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14743889/ns/us_news-education/t/us-schools-competesaudi-students/