US immigration law requires foreign students, studying in the US, to renew their visas if they break their studies with a trip back home. Given the lengthy process involved in getting a visa in the first place, this policy has the potential of leaving students stranded back in Saudi Arabia as a new semester begins, leading to interrupted, if not aborted work on degrees.
A group of Saudi students in the US is working to inform other Saudi students of the hazards and to offer advice on how to deal with the problems before they arise. Nevertheless, given the family-oriented lifestyle of Saudis, it often happens that important family events, from deaths to marriages, happen without the student’s being able to attend. The group, according to this Arab News report, would like to see regulations for renewing visas relaxed.
US visa delays ruining education of many
Ibtisam Sheqdar | Arab NewsMAKKAH: A group of Saudi students in the US has launched a campaign to monitor problems faced by them when they return to the Kingdom on short breaks. These students are forced to reapply for visas at the US Embassy in Riyadh, a process that often takes several months if successful.
Organizers of the campaign, entitled “My Visa Threatens My Future,” say they wish to also create awareness about the problems faced by Saudi students in the US who, fearing the lengthy visa process in Saudi Arabia, remain in the US continuously for years to complete their education.
“The campaign does not intend to challenge the standards according to which visas are issued,” said Basil Al-Sadhan, one of the organizers.
“Acquiring visas is a nightmare for many students. The campaign intends to raise awareness about the difficulties faced by students and the negative effect that these difficulties have on their studies,” he said.
He added that the campaign would complement the efforts of the Saudi Embassy as well as the Saudi Cultural Mission in communicating the problems faced by Saudi students to US officials.
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December:29:2008 - 16:03
The Saudi Foreign Ministry should encourage the ulemaa to allow greater levels of cultural activity within the nation.
In many parts of the West, including the USA, as well as in places like Lebanon & Egypt, the perception of KSA is of endless sand dunes, punctuated only by oil and fanatics who incite hatred at every turn of non-believers.
Moreover, there is no belief in most places (including Lebanon, Egypt) that KSA has any cultural life (film, music, literature, painting) worthy of any serious attention whatsoever.
This contributes to a belief that education of Saudis is entirely one-sided, that KSA has nothing to contribute to the world except for petroleum, while the world has everything else that could be desired or needed by Saudis.
Given that belief, it becomes easy for foreign nations to be uncaring about Saudi students.
Until KSA is viewed as a nation with something of importance to the world [rather than merely a huge reservoir of petroleum] it will always be very difficult to have a relationship based on mutualism.
And, to the extent that the ulemaa validate and make legitimate these outside perceptions, then the whole of the nation is artificially held back.
December:30:2008 - 02:23
Its very unfortunate what happens to these students!! I see very bright people applying to our offices that were stranded when they went back to visit in Saudi. Some of them even had their Visa requests rejected.. when they are clearly people who love their majors and would like to keep studying.
I really am torn about them. I see them in the recruitment interviews and its really devastating for them.. We are not sure if we can give them jobs.. or that they will return to study once their visas get sorted out. I really hope this issue gets resolved soon.
December:30:2008 - 04:10
This is very sad. In order for Middle East and US to gain a better understanding of one another, it is imperative that the US open doors to citizens in Middle East, the Saudis in particular. These youngster are our future!!!!
Certainly, this issue needs to addressed. I feel US policy ( student visas) is counterproductive.
I hope the policy changes, giving Saudi students more chances to go home without any troubles.
December:30:2008 - 08:41
@Andrew – the Arab Cultural Festival this year (2009) in Washington, DC will be having a very special exhibit and program which showcases the richness of Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, Saudi singer Mohammed Abdou has also agreed to perform at this event!
Re the Saudi students and their visa difficulties, it is a tough dilemma. I emphasize with them but also recognize the “whys” behind this timely procedure. Also many Saudi students have a tendency to change University’s once arriving in the US without proper notification to the authorities. This also impacts on the Saudi student and his ability to maintain a valid visa.
December:30:2008 - 10:47
Andrew I agree with your comments…
Also AmericanBedu would you not agree that the “average” Saudi views music as a guilty/sinful indulgence? And the “average” Saudi singer is even more sinful. When I say “average” I mean those who have been through the public Saudi educational system and who actually listen to what Imams scream over the loudspeakers.
Concerning culture I attended a few cultural festivities and there was “food”, “traditional dance” with duff only, and “traditional dress”. Besides that not much else to savor…
Until there is tangible evidence of contributions other than fanatics who crash into tall buildings and who plan other destructive activities, I would 100% agree with Andrew.
Unfortunately even those who come to the US to get an education, never embrace it but leave it with nothing but contempt.
Also, even though the National Human Rights Committe are trying to target children and indoctrinate them with the concept it won’t work until the country’s leaders and big wigs put what they preach into practice…
As far as procedures, I do agree that the American embassy imposes stricter regulations on Saudi students than perhaps other countries. This applies to other issues as well not only student visas based on my personal experience.
December:30:2008 - 11:14
I have to strongly disagree that Saudi students come back from studying in the US with ‘nothing but contempt’. That’s simply not my experience in dealing with Saudis, whether students or former students. Many come back with great appreciation, even love for the US. Some don’t, of course.
Nearly all come back with a greater understanding of the US, the American people, and their culture. Again, they don’t always like what they discover, but their impressions are far removed from the black/white cartoons they had in their minds before they went.
I don’t think there’s a better tool to increase mutual understanding than exchanges, educational or otherwise.
December:30:2008 - 11:30
The contempt is manifold which includes IMO:
1. Asking themselves the question of “Why do I have to go to the US to have value in my own country?”
2. Jealousy when they see what IS in the US and what IS in the K of SA
3. Perhaps they overly indulge while in the US in terms of alcohol, sex whatever else and no to undue the guilt they turn extreme to balance whatever is going on in their minds.
4. Many want to remain in the US but can’t for whatever reasons mostly reasons of what their “Family and neighbors would think of them”.
I believe and would agree that educational exchanges are a great tool but for Saudi people so much more is needed (perhaps psychological counseling) because what they are coming from is extreme dysfunction…
I learned this the hard way as I am sure many others have whether they would like to admit it or not…This is my American perspective on the whole ordeal and after living it for 14 years and watching other people who have lived it as well. Coming back with a better understanding does not also mean a better appreciation.
December:30:2008 - 15:49
American Bedu, thank you for that information.
I hope that the cultural richness presented is not limited to traditional textiles, and similar handicrafts that, although interesting, are unlikely to convince more than a very small audience of the cultural richness of the nation.
Indeed, a real problem is that young Saudis are not convinced of that richness, if the number of American vs. Saudi CDs or DVDs were to be at least probitive of the question.
One must be willing to ask one self, when was the last time a global audience read a French novel or a Japanese novel that elicited global public interest, and when was the last time that a Saudin novel, or short story, or film, or poem, or essay, or television show elicited such global public interest.
We need to develop a broad and popular indigenous cultural life that invites outside interest.
I am concerned that traditional handicrafts are an unlikely substitute for such popular culture.
We remain in the eyes of the world a nation that exports petroleum, fanaticisms invented by the ulemaa, and smugness, but that has nothing (save petroleum) that the world wants.
We can and must do better. Let us hope that we will do so.
December:30:2008 - 17:05
Andrew and everyone else I believe we (not sure where i fit in on the we but anyways) can and must do better…
Is hoping enough?
December:31:2008 - 04:07
The traditional music, songs and handicrafts are indeed a part of Saudi Arabia’s culture and heritage and should be preserved as well as showcased. However concurrently the new emerging cultural trends should be highlighted as well such as the all female Saudi rock band; the female production team that is making documentaries and other notable trends as well which are also becoming part of Saudi culture.
December:31:2008 - 04:51
Sparky, I do personally that Saudis cannot be held under one umbrella espcially the younger generations. I think recently the government discovered after 9/11 the need to be involved with Saudi society opinion. Before people were radicalized according to forigen policy.. first it was the Russians, Iran, Israel.. it took it’s toll building up untill it created the Extremist Islamic terror and global Jihadist movements.
Now the Saudi government discovered the many problems we had on our turf we can see anger and dissent disappate. The younger generations are leaps ahead the government for sure.. but it’s the governement now is seeing that it was rooting for the wrong crowd.
I recently was happy to see the Minister of Labor addressing Labour and recent race based bias they get treated with. It will certianly pave the way into a proper system that protects their rights, even social ones.
I viewed a documentry that acommpanied the Prince of Hail province yesterday on Youtube. It will shed more light about what I am talking about.
December:31:2008 - 09:43
DW: I spent many years working with 16-30 year old Saudi females in classroom settings where open discussion was encouraged. This included various language levels at various institutions. I would agree that the younger generation would like to see change. If anything, I think the anger, frustration and despair is growing rather than dissipating.
To be honest I am not familiar with racial issues. I am more familiar with women’s issues because that is what I have firsthand experience with.
AmericanBedu: I think it would be great if the Saudi Girl rock band were showcased but culture still dictates that they should remain behind the veil. At least their song should be showcased. I love that song!
December:31:2008 - 10:04
Sparky, I do understand what you are saying.. but I see the Saudi youth change by the day. I am personally very interested in them.. especially in Arts, I am not a fan of literature though, I see it more often than I should and it didn’t get us anywhere on its own. I hope soon enough to start a blog about Arts relating mostly to artists from the Arab community. I hope though I can access my blog dashboard to start..
You will see those who are frustrated, you will see those who lead with change. What I am talking about is the big wheel of change is getting momentum, by many hands from within and outside Saudi Arabia.. even though its starting with little insignificant changes.. if you see past them you will see change. I know what you mean about the frustration the Saudi women meet.. but if you see them Saudi women who voiced their frustration on that day.. you might find them speaking on Channel one news about a topic that Saudis steered from before.. Saudi society is starting to speak up instead of bowing the head down to tradition and authority.
December:31:2008 - 10:56
DW I am very impressed with the local female artists. I attended an art exhibition in 2008 at the museum. The showcase was “painted ceramic” and it was all very beautiful. I was very impressed with the work and the manner in which it was displayed. Princess Adela was handing out medals and certificates of appreciation. However, I sensed that the artists were mostly mid to upper class people due to the people I knew and the people who knew them. I would like to see lower income individuals becoming more involved in the arts and literature.
I would absolutely agree that one of the biggest changes is that people are speaking up instead of bowing their heads to tradition and authority and I am very pleased with that. I remember a time a number of years ago where I got into trouble for discussing certain topics (mainly women driving) with students but it never stopped me.
Nothing is insignificant, every little bit counts. Please post your blog link here whenever it is up and running God Willing.
Best wishes to you and your efforts
Btw, ever since getting Satellite a number of years ago I avoided channel one like the plague. I thought I was go bananas if I had to watch one more episode of Little House on the Prairie!
December:31:2008 - 11:53
One of the nice things about living in the EP, even 20 years ago, was that you weren’t limited to Saudi Channels 1 or 2. Bahrain and Kuwait TV came in just fine. And if the weather conditions were right, you could pull in the UAE, Iraq, and even Iran. And then, of course, there was the ARAMCO channel…
December:31:2008 - 11:56
You were one of the lucky ones who could maintain your sanity.
What is EP?
December:31:2008 - 12:20
Eastern Province = EP
December:31:2008 - 17:51
I’ve seen that documentary on the governourof Hail on television, it was very good.
The Accolade is getting worldwide acclaim! With only one song!
December:31:2008 - 18:27
John I still remember Aramco Channel, Its unfortunate that it was axed to cut costs (along with a lot of employee services like the medical care facilities.)
I own a lot of dept to Channel 3, without its interesting programming that had me attached to it’s screen from 3pm to 11pm I wouldn’t have had advanced in English at such a young age then.. 5th grade and I was already challenging one of my Sudanese friends into spelling new words while I was sitting at the back in the English classes swapping video games.
Sparky, I do hope I get my blog up, but it’s really hard at the moment since I keep getting connection errors trying to log in. I am still new at this so I hope I can manage to plan ahead first some content to keep the blog going for a few weeks. Thanks for the support, I also hope it turns out well.
The issue of lower class is that Art doesn’t make a living.. so they lose interest after passing school. I was studying at a private school where the teacher taught me how to draw portraits and how to use wood and wielding equipment to draw.. it was a great period of my life but after I moved to government school there wasn’t such approach to Art class.. if there was any at all.
Channel one really redefined its self of late.. it took a more controversial role in broadcasting Shoura debates and covering more cultural and humanitarian efforts. Unfortunately I am saturated with Satellite TV and fed up with it.. I don’t view TV anymore from the old tube. Why do so if you can watch what you want on demand through the Internet.
Afake, I personally loved the governor of Hail documentary.. I think it should be watched by Saudis more! It really brings to light a view that could help the Saudis understand each other more.
December:31:2008 - 18:42
DW, I loved it and taped it!!!
John: *****HAPPY NEW YEAR*****
*o/*