There has been an outpouring of sadness and grief on social media sites from students who have benefited from King Abdullah’s overseas scholarship program.

Entering its 10th year, there are currently over 200,000 Saudi students spread across the United States, several European countries, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, countries of the Gulf, India, Turkey and many more.

Zohoor Asiri, a final-year medical student at the University of Debrecen in Hungary, said she was shocked when she heard of the king’s passing. “My adult and university life started with the help of the program and my horizons were broadened by this amazing act of kindness for his people,” she said.

“He was a father figure to us all and his generosity touched us in many ways. Our hearts ache over this loss and we will continue to pray for him. Because of this opportunity, I am stronger, more self-reliant and ready to bring back all I’ve learned to my beloved Saudi. This was the dream our father Abdullah had for all the children of the Kingdom. He will never be forgotten,” said Asiri.

Anas Al-Ayesh, 25, a recent master’s graduate from California State University-Northridge, was one of many who benefited from his time abroad. “I just graduated majoring in manufacturing systems engineering. This is what I’ve always wanted and strived for and now that the king has passed, I am more determined to go back home and help build my country in the way that King Abdullah has envisioned.”

“I received my bachelor’s from the University of Minnesota and now my master’s from Cal State with ease. I would never have dreamed of achieving this if not for King Abdullah’s program; it gave me a chance to prosper, he gave me that chance. He will truly be missed,” said Al-Ayesh.

Duaa Banaja, a student at Boston University School of Medicine, has been expressing her grief and sorrow on her various social network accounts. She has just recently transferred from Los Angeles to continue her master’s studies.

Her mission is to complete her education and implement what she learned. She is one of 125,000 Saudi students attending various universities in the United States. “It is a loss not only to me personally, but to the whole nation. I am one of the many fortunate who will live the dream our king has dreamt for us, a prosperous country filled with educated pupils. His vision will live forever.”

The King Abdullah Scholarship Program was launched in 2005 to educate young Saudis at the best education institutions across the world, to ensure that they provide the skills needed by Saudi industries.