The objective of this study is the examination of Saudi Arabian international students and their adjustment to the culture of the U.S. The international students from Saudi Arabia who attend colleges in the United States are attempting to assimilate into a culture that is very different from their own and with few supports to make this transition. While there have been studies adding knowledge to this area of study, the research is still lacking in quantity of studies conducted and due to lack of data gathered for analysis of the acculturation of Saudi Arabian students in U.S. universities. This study concludes that there is a great deal more research needed in this area of inquiry therefore, recommended is that more study be focused on this area of research.
Acculturation of International Students in the United States
The objective of this study is the examination of Saudi Arabian international students and their adjustment to the culture of the U.S.
According to the work of Razek and Coyner (2011) the number of students from Saudi Arabia that study in the U.S. "quintupled from 3,035 students in 2005 to 15,910 students I 2010 due to a fully funded Saudi government scholarship. As students originating in a cultural background differing from the prevailing principles of their higher education institutions, Saudi students face several challenges." (Razek and Coyner, 2011) The experiences of Saudi Arabian students in the U.S. can be differentiated by their "experience, religious and political factors." (Razek and Coyner, 2011, p.44)
Literature Review
Barriers faced by Saudi Arabian students include "linguistic barriers" and challenges related to transition to their foreign educational institution including challenges in locating accommodations and day-to-day life necessities and acquisition of academic skills and learning techniques as well as "familiarizing and engaging themselves with college social aspects." (Razek and Coyner, 2011, p.44) Important factors reported in the work of Kemp (2006) in easing the adjustment of international students and providing support so that students can realize optimal development nd experience positive learning outcomes are factors including a friendly climate on campus, as well as welcoming of students which serves to effectively eliminate" fear, oppression, and stereotype threats…"( Razek and Coyner, 2011, p.44)
Saudi Arabia is reported to rank extremely high in the "collectivistic category as demonstrating adherence to traditional customs and social values. Therefore, individuals from collectivist societies are expected to demonstrate high collectivistic behaviors that shape their conceptualization of the relationship with others both within their own group and outside of their group." (Razek and Coyner, 2011, p.44) This is reported to have an influence on the "understanding, feelings, and reactions" of Saudi students towards their existence in the U.S. The Saudi student's possession of an orientation that is not cohesive with societal values is reported as being such that represents the individual risk factor. IN fact, stated is that there are students from the collectivistic culture that are likely to be lacking in the area of requisite skills to make new friends outside of their group." (Razek and Coyner, 2011, p.44)
Saudi Arabia ranks high in the collectivistic category in the area of adherence to customs and traditions and their associated social values. Specifically reported is that the type of individual and differentials between their background and the society they live in can results in various influences on individuals who have dependent type personalities and most specifically in such behaviors as "social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and various types of depression." (Razek and Coyner, 2011, p.44)
The work of Shaw (2009) reports "Success strategies the Saudi participants developed included goal setting, time management, study skills, study groups, taking advantage of campus resources, hard work, and persistence." (p.1) Shaw additionally reports" the successful Saudi students who participated in this research are resilient, and they have developed intercultural competence. Resilience and intercultural competence are foundational qualities that enabled the participants to bridge the gap between Saudi Arabia and the United States, settle comfortably in a new environment, adjust to rapid-fire changes and challenges, and develop the strategies to successfully work on reaching their academic goals." (2009, p.3)
The present study involved interviews with female Saudi Arabian students who were asked as to what the most difficult thing to adjust to in the culture of the United States and answers given include the difficulty in understanding the language and in the eating habits of the United States. When questioned concerning their religious obligations answers provided including that they practiced their prayer at home since there was a shortage of local mosques.
The adjustment to the culture of the United States is reported as hard for international students due to the various cultures from which international students come and the fact that the U.S. culture is a combination of various different cultures resulting in confusion for international students.
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