As a young boy growing up in the United States, I had little knowledge about the Middle East or more specifically Saudi Arabia. However, I did have images in my mind of great oil wealth and camels wandering across vast deserts. It is comical sometimes revisiting previous notions of a place or people, when they seemed so foreign at the time, compared to our impression years later after experiencing the culture and developing friendships with the people. It is only human nature to perceive a place or culture based on filtered information through media and film, which is often sensationalized to fit an ongoing stereotype or in some cases a political agenda.
My parents’ generation in America had limited opportunities for foreign travel. It typically came in the form of military service, with a chance for an assignment overseas. However, things have changed drastically in recent decades, as communication has advanced through the Internet and our ability to connect with people on the other side of the world for little or no cost, we are able to access resources and talents of people worldwide at a level inconceivable even 20 years ago. As Thomas Friedman famously coined the phrase through his titled book “The World is Flat” in 2005, we are seeing the world playing field balancing itself into a more defined global community.
This newly developed global community has provided an immense opportunity for cultural exchange, whether it is through study abroad programs for our students or affordable foreign travel to visit and experience a new country or region of the world. It has increased our ability for commerce and trade among nations, which in my opinion play a major role in limiting the likelihood of large-scale war among powers today compared to previous historical periods, due to the connective force of trade and globalization. For example, if global powers such as the United States and China were to engage in a military conflict, it would likely have a tremendous negative effect to the economies of both nations, thus providing an incentive to both countries to avoid military conflict despite occasional dispute and rhetoric.
The events of 9/11 initiated a very negative viewpoint of the Arab world in the eyes of many Americans and inaccurately influenced the perception of Islam. I was a college student during this time in the US and it was a very confusing and traumatic experience for most, as we were trying to grasp why something like this had been inflicted upon our country. The world was indeed becoming a much smaller place and the ability of individuals or a small group to influence the minds of many was becoming increasingly apparent. However, we have a great opportunity now for individuals to make a positive impact and influence the minds of many as well. It was reported in the Arab News that there were 111,000 Saudi students studying in the US in 2014, and excellent programs such as the King Abdullah Scholarship Program have made a tremendous impact on educating young Saudis and have provided a great opportunity for cultural exchange, closing the gap of perceptions between the West and the Arab world. The advancement of technology will and has allowed these experiences and relationships to foster through modern day communications.
My first experience in the Middle East occurred four years ago and since then I have traveled extensively throughout the region, and spent a considerable amount of time in Saudi Arabia. I am often asked, by family and friends, back home about this part of the world, as they are curious due to the way it is often portrayed through the media. I have been impressed by the welcoming nature of the people in Saudi Arabia, and tell those back home that despite what may appear on the news or in movies, most people around the world are the same. We have the same needs and hopes, as most desire a peaceful and prosperous future for their children, a stable living environment for themselves and typically stay clear of the global political drama of the day. It is indeed becoming a much smaller and more connected world, and as such things and people which once seemed foreign may one day become more familiar. We can only hope that will create more good and less conflict in the world.
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This is a special article written by an American who wished to express his views about Saudi Arabia.
