In 2005, King Abdullah (then Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia) met with President George W. Bush to re-energize the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP). The goals of the program include increased academic knowledge, mutual understanding, professional development, cultural exchange, and global experience. Ohio, with its many universities and colleges, has been the learning destination of thousands of Saudi students over the years. According to the Saudi Cultural Mission (SACM), Ohio had about 4,000 KASP scholars in 2012. Ohio is the third most common state for the KASP recipients after #1 California and #2 Texas.
At The Ohio State’s University’s American Language Program, we’ve enjoyed the warmth and generosity over a thousand Saudi scholars from the KASP. In conversation, the students are gracious and welcoming. In the classroom, the Saudis are spirited, inquisitive, and vocal. There is never a dull moment in class!
Here’s an animated graph that shows the history of ALP’s student enrollment by country. As the chart depicts, we’ve had a large number of Saudi students since the revitalization of the King Abdullah Scholarship Program in 2005.
Student Population in the American Language Program (Winter 2004 – Spring 2012) :
Last month (September 23), our Saudi students celebrated Saudi National Day at the Ohio Union. It was a cultural exposé of all things Saudi: food, coffee, dress, history, dance, religion, and tourism! I had a wonderful time learning about the history of Saudi Arabia and King Abdullah. At the celebration, I was surprised to learn that Saudi students from all over central Ohio came to campus for the festivities.
Here are a video of some Saudi students performing a traditional native dance and some pictures from the event.
I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank and congratulate our Saudi students for their generous hosting and successful event planning. We are appreciative of the opportunity to have shared this day with you and to have learned more about your fascinating country. I regret not having worn my shemagh.
How firm thy friendship… O-hi-o!
ALP’s Riyadh Alrawkan reading from the Quran at Saudi National Day. September 23, 2013