Social issues confronting Saudi students undertaking international study: An exploratory investigation

Abstract

This paper explores some of the difficulties encountered by Saudi students in adjusting to living and studying in another country. It focuses on the process of 'acculturation': how the students modify their own cultural beliefs and behaviours in response to contact with one or more other cultures. Currently, more than 130,000 Saudi students are studying at universities outside the country. An exploratory study was undertaken with Saudi students studying in the United kingdom. The methodology involved a focus group session, a questionnaire, interviews and a validation session. Ten major issues were identified that suggest that Saudi students studying outside their own country experience significant acculturation difficulties.