First of all I wish to thank Mohammed for allowing me to interview him and ask him a variety of differing questions. Mohammed is a Saudi national who is attending University in Kansas, USA. For many people in America, Kansas is simply referred to as “one of those flyover states.” Mohammed shares with us what it has meant for him to study as a student in Kansas and how his life has been impacted by his experience.
And to capture the essence of Mohammed and his personality, I have provided his responses exactly as received.
To begin with Mohammed, where are you originally from in the Kingdom? And how would you describe routine life in Saudi? What were your typical activities and hobbies?
- First of all, I would say thank you for having me at this respectful interview. Well, I’m originally from a country that is called Duriaah- its best known as the capital of 1st Saudi Arabia. As well as, it’s reality inside of Riyadh City. So, I’m from Riyadh City as I was born there and have lived most my life. I would describe my life’s routine is I’m not that an energetic person which I spend most my day between work and home to watch TV, relaxe and read a book so on. Also, I love hanging out with my friends. Honesty, since I came to USA, I have started to do much more activities like playing basketball and soccer and singing, but I have such activities before like reading books, writing, travelling and surfing by online.
What led you to pursuing economics and what do you intend to do after you have completed your advanced degree? Will you return to Saudi and if so, what kind of position do you hope to have?
-To be honest with you, I decided to study an economics field for only one reason that is I want to be a professor in a college, since I was little, I wanted to be someone who devotes his life to write books since that I attended to a college I discovered that I like economics very much and I can write and do more on my life about economics issues when I would be a professor. Recently, once I finish my study in USA, I will be back to my country to work in the idle position for me ever which is a professor college.
How did you end up as a student in Kansas? Was it intentional or just happened?
-Well, I wanted to study at school much more famous like in CA, FL but, because I was a beginner in English language and I don’t have any score for GRA either. by the time I came to USA, I decided to attend to Kansas State Uni. But more importantly, the Dept of Economics at Kansas State Uni is one of the best schools in the world, actually, they gave me this great opportunity to study at KSU since as I said I got an admission even I don’t have a score in both TOFEL and GRA. So, I came to KSU and got the required admission then my dream became true!
How long have you been in Kansas? What are your impressions of the life and culture in that part of the United States? How do you feel you are accepted as a Saudi in America’s Homeland? Please share some of your unique and favorite experiences.
I have been studying in Kansas for two years so far. I like here people how they are honest, love to work, opened-mind, people here love to be spontaneous and having a great sense of humor. Yes, I feel most Americans like making friend without stereotyping toward anyone. Every community has people are resists, but depending on my experiences living in USA for a while I can say most Americans are very friendly. I want to share with you a story is a good example for this. I stay for a weak in American home family in Florida for a couple of months ago and that was within activities that my school offered to international student. There was old woman who was very kind to me and owned her house .anyway, while we on our way to go to a party to her relatives and friends, she said to her a lone son, Dave look at the sing on the side of street! Dave and I laughed out. Then Dived said’ what a crazy sign just 17 m for speed. What does only 17 mean for?! ‘But you have to follow this low Dave because the cup will caught you if you try to break it even if a little bit’ said that madam Susy. Since that I realized how Americans love to follow lows even I know them closely.
What have been any challenges that you’ve felt you have had to overcome or stigmas or biases that have had to be corrected because of being a Saudi student in America?
I would say I suffer as a Saudi student from all about a visa student issues. first, the procedure of student visa issue is too long and have lots of complications to the procedure of US immigration in US airports that is included racist measurements and complications, finally, the procedure of renewing a student visa issue which is too long and have complications. This is the biggest challenge that I have had and I always feel down and unfired how this matter could exist without solving or progressing.
What are you most typically asked about as a Saudi student in the USA?
Where, when and who. I didn’t understand this question specifically.
And what about your views and impressions of America? Have you travelled elsewhere in America? What do you see as the most common similarities and differences between Americans and Saudis?
Well, as I said to you before I feel that I belong to America. No words can explain my impressions of what I really feel toward my 2end home. Yes, I have travelled to several states in USA. I am going to go CA in the winter holiday after just a few days J . There are lots of differences and a few similarities behind couture in both it mightn’t there is a big area enough to mention to them with details.
Has it been easy for you to make American friends and other international friends?
Honesty, at beginning when I came to USA it was kind of difficult and that was because I was not much in English. But after having enhanced myself by English and going outside and being involved in school’ activities it became easier. And that what happened to me and I am now coughing up my goals and having lots of close, nice Americans friends.
What do you see as the biggest benefits being a Saudi student who is studying outside of the Kingdom? And how does this experience make you grow as an individual?
Studying out of the broad has lots of benefits I can now touch it. You can take advantages of it for examples, First, learning a different language and became flouncy to speak it. Second, learning a different culture to be opened-mind and this helps one to respect and understand the other cultures that live in around the world. Third, culture exchanging that it can help to deep the band of friendship. Fourth, studying at a different education system. I’ve got to say that studying out of the broad is considered to me to be under struggling. It will help one to be tough enough to make progresses to one’s self. I’ve kept an Arabic proverb it’s suitable for this matter. ‘You’ll never get the top of successful until tasting the patience’ I feel this with studying out of broad. It has been taking me on the ride of worthy and massive experiences of my life.
Now that you have experienced “both sides of the fence” what do you see as the bigger cultural divides between Saudi Arabia and America? And how can these divides be resolved?
Both cultures KSA and USA belong to a different culture so, some of thoughts sound acceptable, but some are unacceptable to another. I would say respecting and understanding both culture that behind them would work to strengthen the band of the friendship for both. I don’t have recently an example for this but as I said respecting and understudying are the keys to live to love each others.
What advice do you give for any other Saudi students wishing to study in the USA? And what do you think about American students going to Saudi, such as to study for advance degrees as KAUST?
I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said USA is considered to be the direction or in Arabic ‘ keblah’ for education, freedom, and dignity life. I would tell other Saudi students that you will find the real opportunity to study and to build yourself by a number of activities at school, accepting your opinion and others. As for American student who want to study in KSA. I would say as Saudi I love to hear there are in Saudi Arabia friends from USA. I suggest to them to discover KSA’ culture closely- it’s worth to, it’s also a great opportunity to make friend between the nice two countries and learning Arabic language.
What are you missing most about Saudi that you do not have in the USA? And by the same token, what are you enjoying of the USA that you do not have the opportunity to do so in Saudi Arabia?
Actually, lots of things in both! I’ve missed my father, brothers and sisters a lot to be with them talk to them or make a trip with them. I miss also Arabic foods oh man! I can’t help missing it. In USA, there is everything I will miss in KSA, all advantages that I have had in USA like freedom, the life is organized, going to World Disney every winter on holiday!
Have your views on segregation, women and driving changed at all since being in the USA? Why or Why not?
I would say I will be with the free speaking ever whether or not a woman wants to work, study something like that with segregation. I am the man who accepts her desire immediately, but as a person I am also who strongly against the segregation life between a woman and a man. I will be always with a woman’ rights to be equal with a man so an American woman does on her life, but with taking the different between the cultures on consideration. I feel regretted for Saudi woman’s position I have to work to change the reality to gain all her rights that she has them already in Islam’s rules.
And I also must ask as you are a Saudi male, what are your perceptions and views of the American women and their lifestyles as compared to the Saudi women? Which is better (lifestyle and culture wise) and why or why not? Which traditions from each do you think should be picked up by the other?
-I would say that an American woman’s perfect related to equality rights but I hate that she sometimes expose to sexual extortion from of courses a man – I don’t mean that sexual extortion is as violence or assault. I am not about this case because these case we can solve it by build our laws or something, but I mean this can happen because an American woman is a lone as you know in USA life .Every one when became a adult, one’s life got alone till deciding to make relationship. While an American women had better to life as a wife or with relationship, but this mostly cannot happen because a male like me if he gets a sex every time why should he get to relationship? Of course sex relationship is totally a personality issue depend on a person and relationship should equal love too, but I believe an American woman expose the sexual extortion because she wants not be alone due to a woman naturally is much weaker than a man to be alone. So, I believe that a woman after she graduated from college she mostly wants at once to be got in relationship, but that cannot always happen and that gives us an explanation for why there’re lots of an American woman being alone?!
And in closing, are there any additional comments or a message you’d like to add?
No, I just want to say that I was glad to share with you my opinions about several issues related to USA and KSA. Merry Christmas to you!
Thank you Mohammed and wishing you all the best!
Thank you for having me. Always my pleasure!
Filed under: America, culture, Entertainment, Freedoms, friendship, Interview, Just for fun, Saudi Arabia, Saudi blogs, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi education, Saudi Living, Sports, travel, Uncategorized Tagged: | America, blogging, culture, culture shock, customs, heritage, KSA, places, Riyadh, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel
That was such a nice interview, thank you! I am glad that Mohammed has the chance to live and study in the USA. Travel and being exposed to other people’s cultures has a wonderful equalizing effect…in other words it makes us deal in reality rather than the abstract and getting to know a people or culture enriches our view of the world and of our place in it. I think it forces us to question our values and cultural norms and to either reinforce them or adjust them.
Due to my father’s job I was fortunate enough to travel all over the world and visit many places. I don’t believe I would be the same person I am today if I had no had the opportunity from a very young age~about 12 until well into adulthood to travel and meet so many different people from all walks of life. It brought home one thing to me…no matter who the people are: Chinese, Japanese, French, Brazilian etc. despite culture we are all the same in our most basic wants, desires and needs and our innate humanity links us all.
OBY – I am glad you enjoyed the interview and I am also happy Mohammed is making the most of his time in the US as a student.
I so agree with you that travel really does broaden an individual in so many ways. Like you I started traveling young as a child on family vacations and in not long at all got hit with the uncurable travel bug!
OBY thank you that interview has been gained by your admire.. i am glad about that ..
Carol, i am really doing a great time in USA.. i just came back today to Kansas form LA.. Waw! Kansas is covered by the snow ,,, wonderful !
Just curious, Mohammed, are you at Kansas State University, or at University of Kansas? I am assuming KSU. I used to attend up until a few years ago. I miss that place alot. Appreciate it while you can, cause I can tell you, your going to miss it. (hey, and stay out of aggieville :p)
@Mohammed USA,
I think among your experiences you are now going to experience a real Kansas winter. It can get quite cold so be sure you have a warm down coat!
How did you enjoy LA?
wait, never mind. I actually went back to the picture.. and I KNOW who you are :p
hehe, even your nickname and why I didnt reconize you originally :p
I’m actually a graduate student at the University of Kansas, where, although I am an Orthodox Jew, I have a lot of Arab friends (because I learned Arabic as an undergraduate). Most of them are Saudi (I don’t know why there are more Saudis here than Arabs of other nationalities). I do not know Mohammad, although I might know some a9di8ahu, if, in fact, he is at KU and not KSU. And no, my name is not actually Ziva–I use my grandmother’s name on the internet to hide my identity
I’d have to say thanks to Carol for facilitating the interview and also to Mohammed for sharing his thoughts.
I have quite a few Saudi friends, most of whom are international students. I have always been strongly against people who take advantage of people, especially international students because local business men know that they don’t know any better or will comply to whatever because the international student doesn’t want to make any trouble or get into trouble and this is usually mostly because there is a language and cultural barrier. I’m a language teacher here in New Zealand, I see this happening all the time. I have students both Saudi, Brazilian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian etc coming to me for help on about various matters from help getting their bond money back to simply being a friend to listen to their problems and helping them find solutions to them.
It gladdens my heart to hear of a student having a wonderful time overseas and experiencing the advantages of his/her position and making the most of it! Studying overseas really does open not just your mind but gives you a deeper understanding of how your culture is different to your host country and learning how to co-exist with them without compromising your religious and cultural beliefs. Being an international student also helps strengthen your character and helps you realise just how much you can achieve for yourself on your own.
Mohammed – you are right in that having an understanding and respect of other cultures makes a world of a difference! I wish you all the best in your studies =)
the princes girl- thank you for Ur commenting and i am from KSU as i said during the interview…my nickname is the nickname that i have used here for a couple of weeks before i did the interview.. and yeb i will have missed the place a lot when i move out to another place….:)
Carol- i did just wonderful moments there- i am totally exhausted now and in KS its so so cold thank you carol for your concern….
Ziva, i am glad you have know some thing about the interview but i dont understand what did u mean by a9di8ahu ? again i am studying at KSU ( WILD CAT)
Just a simple girl – i do thank you for you too.
Asalamu Alaikum Mohammed- I maintain a reference blog for non-Saudi/Saudi marriages and often get asked by non-Saudi women about marrying a Saudi student while abroad. Did you or any of your fellow Saudi collegians ever have to sign a document/contract from the Saudi government stating you agreed not to marry a non-Saudi while studying on a scholarship in a foreign country?
islamicarticles, hi walekom slam …for me i ever never sign for something like that …did u do that and why i should if there is a new measurement like this …this is unfired
Mohammed- I’m an American and my Saudi husband never studied in the US. You aren’t studying on a Saudi scholarship?
no i have actually a scholarship form my work its not form that King Abdulalh program … what is going on? as far i know its illegal getting married non- Saudi women unless to get permission from the Saudi ministry foreign….i don’t know about this measurement before..i should ask for that
Mohammed- I understand now. Your scholarship is through your work and not the Saudi government (or King Abdullah program.) This is what I needed to know, that if a Saudi student is studying under a government/King Abdullah scholarship, they are probably the ones who have to sign the document not to marry non-Saudis while abroad. And yes its still illegal for a non-Saudi to get married to a non-Saudi without permission first. Thanks for clarifying!
Not to go off post since this article is Mohammad’s sharing, it probably is wise to briefly recap on Saudi/non-Saudi marriages:
there are restricted professions and employers which do not allow marriages between Saudi/non-Saudis
Saudi males (whether student or not) according to Saudi regulations are to be at least 35 years of age before able to seek approval to marry a non-Saudi (many exceptions to this one but not easy)
For any interested since this topic comes up often, here is an earlier post which explains some of the complex marriage restrictions and regulations when a marriage is desired between a Saudi and a non-Saudi:
http://americanbedu.com/2008/05/28/what-you-need-to-know-about-saudi-students-outside-the-kingdom/
and the tip of the iceberg on my own story and experience:
http://americanbedu.com/2009/12/25/4775/
Great interview. I’m happy to read about Mohammed’s experiences in America, and I’m glad he has had a favorable time thus far. Thank you for your willingness to share about your life in the USA.
I had to smile when you seemed surprised that some people like following laws here. At least the old women in FL do, right?
Enjoy the snow!
Mohammed, I enjoyed your interview. I used to live in Manhattan. It’s a nice area, but watch out for tornadoes in the summer! The Muslim families that lived there when I was there in the early 90′s were really nice.
Anisah, Kansas Girl transplanted to Michigan
Mohammed I am so glad you like it in the USA. For me, I find it very valuable to have someone study for another country in the USA as some never get to meet a foreigner. I hope your studies remain enjoyable and please take look arounf the USA, it is so large.
—Jacee
susanne430, Anisah and Jacee, thank you so much for your comments. I’m so happy to hear from you .
This was a lkovely interview, it’s very nice to learn more about Mohammed USA. I hope you will be successfull at your studies!
Enjoy the snow!
thank you so much Aafke.
Mohammad,
I am an international student advisor in Philadelphia (you know the girl who signs your I20!) and I got onto this blog to better understand my Saudi students who are growing in number day by day… I find the Saudi men to be very friendly, funny, outgoing, laid back (sometimes TOO laid back.. like keep an appointment with me will you guys?!?)
But I find it is a very different experience with Saudi women who are reserved to the point of being a little cold (to me.. just my experience). and really HARD to get to know… why is this??? I wish so much that my Saudi ladies who work so hard in their studies crack a smile, let me in a little… anyone tell me why this is?
hahahah !
Jenna– u seem to be very cheerful and cooperative with international students so that why Saudi guys like to meet you in my guessing.
By the way, the international student adviser in my school is one of my friend- she is very cooperative . thank you for Ur comment and like you i am looking forward to knowing from Saudi ladies with they don’t have a good enough sense of humor or smile during the work…you got me! wanna know from them too!
Mohammed,
Thanks for sharing the details of your time here. It is good that you are overall happy here.
I hear of your experience and I am mostly happy. At the same time, I am sad. In a perfect world, students from all nations could study in each other’s countries. But we don’t live in a perfect world. While I long to go to Saudi and study there, we both know my experience would probably not be as wholesome and fun as the one you have enjoyed in my country. I would be safe in Saudi, I’m sure. I’d meet really sweet individuals and families. I don’t doubt that. But I’d always have a cloud over my head. I’M SURE OF IT. Because, I’m a woman. I know many Saudi males at the university level. And just like you, they have so much fun, traveling all around this great country. Getting the chance to really meet a range of Americans, from different backgrounds.
Sure I could get a spot in a university in Riyadh, but I wouldn’t be allowed to get a driver’s license upon my arrival, rent a car on my own, or buy one, drive myself and my friends all around the Kingdom, meet all types of people (men and women) and hang out with them at coffee shops and chat, swim at the beach in my MODEST ONE PIECE swimsuit, etc. Without the ability to do these things, which I am so used to, my life would not be full or truly happy.
You seem very grateful for your wonderful experience studying here. If so, please, when you return to Saudi, do me the favor of fighting for women’s rights. So maybe one day, an American woman can venture to your home country to study and have just as wonderful a time as you’ve had in hers. Insallah, progress will be made.
With Peace + Love,
Culturewatch
Hi Culturewatch,
i think you’re talking about a women case because i don’t see any problem with guys and there lots of guys form America and Europe in western and eastern KSA especially there are student… But you are right ! i have been thinking of this issue from time to time..i really want a Saudi women practice their right first . i will definitely fight for a woman’s right ..but let’s say as you said progress will be made.
recently, you can go to KAUST..its in a city looks like a western-style ..u can do whatever you want .i would work there if i came back to my country
oh i forgot to say thank you so much Culturewatch love you
this is a really nice interview. especially since Mohammed was raised in KSA and came to the States for Uni….and i love that he is for equall rights for women…but also see’s the maybe not so positive aspects of a liberal society. ( mohammed, women can be victimized weather she is free as a bird, or caged)
i appreciated the honesty….and love that he will have great memories of the states!
Angie, thank you dor much for ur words and ur right that women can be can be victimized weather she is free as a bird, or caged…
Mohammad: I meant “his friends,” although I might have messed up the numbers. أصدقائه
Alright.. i understand now….even though i am studying at Wildcat, i have lots of Saudi and Arab friends at Jayhawks
thank you Ziva for ur comment ..
القط البري دائما في الطليعه هههههههه