Saudi Gazette Leaving the comfort and security of your home to travel and study abroad can be overwhelming at first — however, as homesickness, responsibilities and language, custom, or culture barrier creeps in — it becomes unbearable.It takes a while for the students to get accustomed to the environment and people around them. To make the transition period smoother for Saudi students in US or anywhere abroad, a group of Saudi students established a non-profit student organization, dubbed “Saudis in US” (SUS). The former students shared their experiences with Saudi freshers. Shaker Ali, Ghada Al-Ghunaim, and Mishal Al-Anzi, founders of SUS, have designed a website to reach out to Saudi students pursuing their education abroad. “Our mission is to help our Saudi brothers and sisters who have come to the US to study. It is our job to inform the students of the important US laws and the university rules and regulations that he/she may be unaware of,” said a co-founder of SUS. He added, “We encourage students to participate in university events, cultural festivals, and workshops that have social and educational benefits. The most positive influence to have on the lives of the Saudi students is to create a second home for them and and a closely knit community that supports, guides, protects, and stands when in need.” With a membership of over 62,000 students spanning 34 states, SUS is helping many students adjust to the new life abroad. They advise them to take advantage of all the educational tools and services the university has to offer and pushes them to excel in their studies. Healthy recreation is also an important part of student life that is not neglected by the organization, it arranges several entertaining and stress busting activities for students. The SUS also provides assistance in the entire application and registration process along with obtaining a student visa. Upon arrival, a volunteer from the organization meets the prospective students at the airport, welcomes them, and offers temporary accommodation until the students find their own permanent residence. SUS, initially gives the students a brief tour of the area to familiarize them with the local mode of transportation, eating outlets, university, accommodation, counselor, people and most of all language. The organization serves as a strong communication channel between the student and the university during the entire stay of the Saudi student on American soil. Saudi student Hussain Al-Amri experienced a mental block right before his final exams. He was under so much stress that he could not bring himself to open his books. “Every time around my finals, I would keep myself busy with any activity, except studies. I would clean my apartment, cook, shop, chat with friends or relatives back home. “Anything distracted me from preparing for my exams. Luckily, I met a couple of young men who turned out to be members of SUS. Together, we started arranging study groups at the library, outdoors, or at my place. They reminded me to stay focused and helped me stay on track.” SUS send out the latest news and developments that pertain to Saudi students and warns them of any law that may profoundly impact their lives. The most recent statement issued by Al-Ghunaim was that all Saudi student parents in the US need to ensure proper alternative childcare for their children whenever they are at the university, or for any purpose, away from the home. He warns parents that it is against the law in the US to leave children under the age of 12 at home unattended. Unfortunately, there have been several incidences where Saudi student parents ignorant of the law, left their young children unaccompanied at home. The American authorities with the help of the social services then placed their children with foster families. “Saudi families must be extra cautious. I repeatedly tell parents that they should never leave their young children at home without a babysitter or an adult that they trust. Once the social services takes the custody of the child, they will not return him/her to the family, he said. No matter how many tears of regret are shed; even the Saudi embassy, in most cases, will not be able to reverse a court order,” said Al-Ghunaim. __
