Scholarships help young fulfill parents’ dreams

The Saudi government is footing the bill for the academic pursuits of more than 148,000 Saudi students studying abroad, the Ministry of Higher Education, in a recent report, revealed.
These students will be majoring in different disciplines which are required in the Saudi labor market.
Studying away from home, family and friends is not easy for these students, but they are aware that they are on a mission — to acquire a degree that will help them rise with the nation and the labor market when they return.
Parents say the scholarships have helped their sons and daughters in being independent and learn life skills.
“I am very proud of my sons who moved to the US to pursue higher studies. I have seen their progress with my own eyes. I have seen them learning money management, pay rent and learn responsibilities that will help them in their future,” says Najlaa Zakaria, a housewife.
“My sons were very dependent on us for everything but being away helped them learn how to cook, clean, pay bills and above all, focus on their studies,” she added.
Saudi students say studying abroad made them appreciate their home country even more.
“It is not easy being away from your family, and living in a country that does not even speak your language. I have learned how to survive and searched for the best way to continue with my studies in the easiest way possible,” Hani Khas, marketing student in Malaysia said, adding: “Being away helped me meet people from different backgrounds, meet other Saudis who also helped me with my studies and taught me many things about the city and shared with me Ramadan and Eid celebrations.”
A number of Saudi students found part-time jobs that will help them when they return and look for jobs in the Kingdom.
“I know that Saudi Arabia is a very competitive market, so I decided to find an internship in one of the local banks here in London. It will help me learn more and add value in my CV,” says Mansour Abdulrahman, a banking student in London.
“I also found a part-time job in one of the banks for the summer vacation. I am sure this will make my CV very attractive for any bank that I will apply for in the Kingdom. I did that because I know many students are studying the same major and it might be hard to find a job when I finish,” he added.