Faiza Rizvi Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — They may be living thousands of miles away from their motherland, but their hearts stay connected to their country. Unlike many international students who gradually tend to forget their culture living away from country, Saudi students at the University of Colorado Boulder in the state of Colorado, keep their patriotism alive. They have formed the Saudi Students' Association (SSA), which actively conducts events, including a football league for the Saudi community in Colorado. At the annual International Festival organized by the University of Colorado which was held earlier this month, international student groups were asked to showcase their culture by setting up booths, performing on stage, distributing food samples or conducting other interactive cultural activities. Out of 42 countries that participated, the booth which represented Saudi Arabia emerged as the proud winner. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Hatem Farag, president of Saudi Students' Association, said it was a matter of pride for the Saudi students. He explained that gathering volunteers in advance to organize events is not always easy and usually four to six members agree to volunteer. “However, things were different for the International Festival since we were getting an opportunity to represent our home country. I had about 24 volunteers who were extremely eager to project the actual image of Saudi Arabia before international students and they were brimming with great ideas about how we should present our culture at the festival,” he added. He explained that everyone worked really hard and their booth was unique because it was interactive. It also included a "photo corner" where visitors could dress up in traditional Saudi clothes and get their photos taken, while sipping "gahwa" (Arabian coffee) and enjoying the display of traditional Saudi artifacts. Students also showcased the development of Saudi Arabia through an impressive time line display. “I believe that the reason behind this enthusiasm is their love and appreciation toward their country,” said Farag. Maram Al-Houti, an active volunteer at the festival, said, “We wanted to focus on Saudi Arabia's development, and how these changes are causing a positive impact on Saudis.” She explained that they even had healthy discussions with American students about the changing role of women in Saudi Arabia by giving them various examples of successful Saudi women. “We also shared our experiences and the difference of culture that we experienced in America. We focused on the fact that even though we are studying in a different environment, we still haven't forgotten our customs and traditions.”
