He said, though the time to fix an appointment is about 10 days (it was over 100 days three years ago), the Saudi students need to plan ahead. He added the embassy is also issuing five-year visas.
“If you plan to apply 60 days before traveling, the chances of you getting the visa are 90 percent. There is no reason to wait till the last minute,” he said.
The ambassador, who hosted a reception at his residence here for the American participants in the 3rd International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education (IECHE 2012), described it as one of the world-class events he ever attended.
“Certainly we believe that the US education system is among the best in the world, but I am not in a competition with any other country because there are values from others,” he said.
The following is the text of the interview:
Arab News: A large number of quality global universities are now in Riyadh. What would you like to say about this?
James B. Smith: Well, first thing, I would say is my admiration for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Abdullah and for Dr. Khalid Al-Anqari, and his leadership at the Ministry of the Higher Education.
This has been a three-year evolution and I had the privilege to watch each of those three events. It is becoming bigger every year.
This year we have 69 universities and 130 representatives of those universities at the show. We tripled our number in those three years. As the Ministry of Higher Education makes the event bigger, we come along in a part of that group. I am so excited about it.”
AN: Some diplomats described the event as world-class event?
Smith: Well, it is the biggest event I've ever been too and I think it is becoming a world-class, because not only representatives from universities and colleges all around the world have come here, there are workshops every day that help provide information for college applicants and also give insight for faculties and universities here. And it is helping as a bridge between universities around the world. So yes, I think it has become a world-class event.
AN: I sensed competition between the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States at the show in terms of number of participants. Do you feel the same?
Smith: I don't see it as competition; I think each country is offering opportunities that they have. Certainly we believe that US education system is among the best in the world, but we are not in competition with any other country because there are values from others. I lived in 40 countries and traveled around the world. I have the passion for the rest of the world. I don't see it as competition. I am impressed by the presence of those universities from around the world. It is normal.
AN: I met a number of young Saudis and asked them if they go abroad for higher studies what would be their choice? Their answer was the United States.
Smith: Well, first of all we have a lot of different universities, of which 2,000 universities have been accredited by the Saudi Cultural Affairs in Saudi Embassy in Washington. When they allow more groups to go to each university, they begin merging in the culture of the university.
The organization of our curriculum is structured so students tend not to get lost. There is a long tradition with Americans and Saudis here. When you go to the US, most students on returning develop family relations. I met a young man yesterday and he is living with a family there. So there is something that Saudi culture is similar to American culture. We welcome people so there is a long-standing affection in relationship between the cultures.
AN: An American academician who was here recently lectured on challenges that Saudi students face when they go to America? Do you think that Saudis students are still the same as before?
Smith: No matter what country, you are going to a different culture. It is not easy even for American students going to American universities because of three reasons. First, you are independent and you got to make your decision; you are not living at home anymore, you don't have that safety now. Secondly, academic workload is very challenging, and three you've going to strike a balance between personal appearance and academic affairs. Most young men when they go to college have to use washing machines. So college is hard for anyone
Now if you take someone from another culture they got those four issues that they have to deal with. American university is embracing the idea of bringing Saudi students and giving them introduction making sure that they get assimilated. So they know whom to ask what question and where to go if they got a problem and keep them from getting having problems solving them early especially in small schools we have… but let them face it. When you go to college, they see challenging experience no matter who you are.
AN: We come to the final question about the visa procedures? Is it the same as before?
Smith: The average time you get for the appointment is about ten days. Three years ago it was over a 100 days. The approval rate for Saudis is 94 percent, that's the highest approval rate for any country in the world. I think the visa problem has been resolved. What I ask is that you plan ahead because if you plan 60 days before traveling your chance is 90 percent of getting the visa and you are getting a five years visa anyway. There is no reason to wait till the last minute.
