Comments on: From USA to KSA – A Saudi Woman’s Journey

By: Saudi Arabia: Can’t Get Enough of the Mahrem System « American Bedu

Saudi Arabia: Can’t Get Enough of the Mahrem System « American Bedu — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:11:20 +0000

[...] http://americanbedu.com/2008/03/26/from-usa-to-ksa-a-saudi-womans-journey/ [...]

By: delhi4cats

delhi4cats — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:50:56 +0000

At the request of the individual interviewed, a sanitized copy of her stipend has been inserted into the post.

By: AbuSinan

AbuSinan — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:20:11 +0000

Interesting post and comments Carol.

One thing I wondered about was how low this person thought that the stipend was for students here in the USA. My wife was on the scholarship, so was my youngest sister in law and another of my sister in laws is still on the scholarship.

For a single female, it is now about $1,300 a month. For a male with a family is should be pushing $3,000 a month, wife with children somewhere about $1,800. So a husband and wife, both on the scholarship, with a family, it should come to about $4,800 a month, tax free.

I dont know if the wife gets the higher “mehram” rate of the scholarship because her mehram is here or if that is covered under what the husband gets. Women with a mehram get an extra $1,000 a month, but that might be moot if that mehram is her husband as maybe the money goes to him? But, if she does get the “Mehram” money, the stipend then goes to about $2,800 a month for her too, cash free, bringing it to some $5,600-5,800 a month, tax free.

With tax and other deductions inluded, I think that would be about the same as making $6,500 a month, which works out to about $70,000 a year. If the “mehram” money still comes to the married woman it then becomes closer to $7,500 a month.

That is very good money, especially when one thinks all one has to do for it is go to school. $55,000 cash, tax free a year is more than enough to go to school here and support a family.

I guess it all depends on what standard of living people are used to. I have known many Saudis here on the scholarship and the majority of them still get help from back home, the stipend is more spending money than it is for daily bills.

That is why you see so many young Saudi students at local malls here driving $80,000 cars. Their stipend pays for it!

Anyway, I think the scholarship is a great thing. Like your reader, it brings many Saudis to the US who otherwise wouldnt be here and helps teach them that America is NOT the great shaytan.

By: Aafke

Aafke — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:35:37 +0000

Bedu, blushing of pleasure here. Will defenitely post a collection of good incense recipes and how to make them. sometime in the future.

By: Cairogal

Cairogal — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:28:28 +0000

Great post! Not all international students are so open to the experience. When I read this I think, “That’s how it’s meant to be!” I’d be interested in a follow-up interview after your friend has been back in Saudi for a year. I’m curious what sort of reverse culture shock she might experience (been through it myself).

By: creeping

creeping — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:26:52 +0000

Ah back to sharia law…the next time she comes to America she’ll feel much more at home as sharia based laws are ever encroaching on American democracy. I wonder why she took the bus while here and didn’t learn to drive…I know finances right…did you catch that piece about US taxpayer dollars paying for her children? WTF

It would have been nice to learn of the actual punishments that her hubby and family prescribe when they believe women have disobeyed or gone astray.

This blog covers it – http://dawningspeaks.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/princess-a-shocking-expose-of-misogyny-within-saudi-arabia/

By: marianna68

marianna68 — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:37:09 +0000

I loved reading this lady’s answers to Carol’s questions and my heart does go out to her in many ways. I hope she and hubby can still have their quality time together….I hope she can still find a way to be spontaneous to where her spirit is still free….I hope she keeps in contact with you Carol and that she is happy wherever her heart resides.

By: delhi4cats

delhi4cats — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:10:25 +0000

Aafke, you’re great and I also want to tell YOU how much I enjoy reading your blog…especially your latest post on incense!

By: Aafke

Aafke — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:00:44 +0000

To whom it may concern:
It’s great to keep a blog, it’s so easy, and you meet people, and you’re not really a hopeless geek. And you get to whine as much as you like, when nobody in your immediate surroundings wants to hear you. And you can be rude, or anything you like. Except on other peoples blogs: then you have to try to keep polite. And you can talk about your kids to other mums, And other people might be able to learn a lot from your blog. And it is fun to choose a nice look for your blog, and you can change it for fun, and you’ll get feedback from your new friends, and you’l learn a lot from other peoples blogs, and it is really cool and hip right now, and if you do miss the real world, (the one oustide KSA) you will not be completely out of touch.

So yeah, A blog is not really a bad idea.

Except when you’re AWOL from work like I am now. Better get back and do my accounts.

By: delhi4cats

delhi4cats — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:28:30 +0000

Thanks, Aafke. I can guarantee that she follows this blog so I’ll look forward to hearing from her in regards to your query….perhaps she may even start her own blog here with enough encouragement!