“Work and play is my idea of summer. Work hard but make sure it pays off. So a cruise with friends abroad and summer jobs to make money,” said 24-year-old Saad Hamrani. “I want to make enough for an aviation course and do an art course abroad; you should utilize summer to the max,” he added. Students will be given a long summer holiday that starts by the end of this month and will be extended to Ramadan. "I love this long break and thank God for Ramadan. All my friends come to Saudi Arabia, even if they are abroad; the festive nature is incomparable," said high school student Maha Badr.

Maha Nasser, a mother of two, said "I am trying to enroll my children in summer activities. It is not easy finding summer camps here, but the kids need a change and more freedom in things they cannot pursue during school days." She said most mothers share her dilemma, as they have very few options and do not want their children to sit idle and waste time in futility. "I would rather see them doing something productive. I send my girl for Qur'an classes, karate, and some artwork. We need more sports centers, because I would love to take my little girl somewhere we can both enjoy a good time or work out."

Women, who lack outdoor sports activities and opportunities, are particularly eager to travel. Jameela Masood, a 24-year-old business management student living in Jeddah, expressed her dismay at the void of cultural and knowledgeable activities to choose from. "I want to learn an instrument, but there are no music schools and art schools. I wish there were public libraries and art centers for girls." She says she will spend the summer as most of her friends do: "Eating, sleeping and watching TV." Other young women have plans to travel across the Kingdom and enjoy the local culture. "I am going to travel to Makkah, Madinah, Taif, and maybe Riyadh. We want to catch up with family and also have more time to pray. Usually work and school keep us busy, so this long break will give us lost time back. Of course, shopping and relaxing at the beach is going to be top priority for all my friends," said 19-year-old Jumanah Maneesh.

Young men are planning to indulge in sports and outdoor activities like football, snorkeling, and sand drifting, but also intend to go for desert safaris, play video games and watch TV. "I am going to take my friends for a road trip. We are planning to go up north, maybe even drive to Bahrain. We have a beach house, so we will also be chilling with video games by the pool, play more football, take our yacht out and just relax," said Hassan Faris.

Mohammed Ibrahim plans to learn a new language, get a summer job and travel like most young men during the course of summer. "I will definitely not waste my time, so I will get a job and make enough money to go abroad and get a change."