All of the students, men and women, have bachelor's degrees from Saudi schools in the sciences or business. Their English studies at Humboldt State are financed in full by the Saudi government's "King Abdullah Scholarship Program." It is part of the desert kingdom's continuing effort to develop a knowledge-based economy less dependent on oil.
Following their English immersion, the Saudis will go on to graduate studies at HSU, sister CSU institutions or other universities.
"Our hope is that this initiative will become a long-term relationship with the Saudi cultural mission in Washington, D.C., and with counterpart organizations affiliated with Saudi Arabia's higher education ministry," said Guru Ghosh, Director of HSU's International Center. "This year we're expecting about 31,000 Saudi students in the United States and the ministry wants to keep increasing the numbers."
The program builds on a long history of Saudi students earning their degrees at HSU, dating to the 1970's and 1980's. Saudi alums continue to send their sons and daughters to the Arcata campus.
The Saudis arriving now through July will be trained at Humboldt State's International English Language Institute (IELI). It hosts an academic program structured in five eight-week sessions, plus a month's intercession in the summer. Students attend 21 hours of classes each week in a core curriculum of reading, writing, speaking, listening and grammar. Proficiency is reinforced in social activities and daily life off-campus.
"Many of the Saudis, including young Saudi families, are renting local apartments or taking advantage of home-stays with Humboldt families, who provide a room and kitchen privileges for a small fee," Ghosh said. "Our Saudi guests will become part of the North Coast community in the next year to 15 months, fully acquainting them with American life and culture and reinforcing their English-speaking skills. They will contribute to the local economy with their rentals, and the purchase of furniture and household goods." All of the students are scheduled to be in place by July.
Ghosh added that many of the Saudi students will be experiencing their first overseas venture "and they can look forward to the warm and hospitable welcome our local communities extend to newcomers." IELI support programs are designed to integrate international students into North Coast daily life, enabling them to hone their English skills outside the classroom.
Details are posted at http://www.humboldt.edu./ieli or dial 707/826-3555.