The influence of the September 11, 2001 attacks and related events years later on the expectations and experiences of Saudi undergraduate students studying in the United States.
Open AccessThis study was designed to determine whether or not undergraduate Saudi Arabian students currently studying in the United States still expect and experience negativity more than a decade after the events related to September 11, 2001. The study target population is all undergraduate Saudi students currently studying through the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to the United States (SACM). This is a survey-based study is predominantly quantitative methods approach with a few open-ended qualitative questions to enhance the findings. The goal of this study was to examine and understand the influences of student background characteristics, parental socialization and non-college reference groups, and in-college normative pressure in the context of the events related to September 11, 2001 on prior expectations and later experiences of Saudi undergraduate students studying in the United States. This study also explored the influences of select demographic variables of these on undergraduate Saudi students' expectations and experiences. In addition to descriptive analysis, chi-square analyses explored relationships between group variables and dependent variables. Furthermore, Kruskal-Wallis tests were also conducted to explore potential interactions between the independent variables in the demographics (gender, age, where attended high school, parental education attainment, visa attainment, length of stay, marital status, state studying in, major) and student background characteristics (confidences in: academics, language, finances, and family support) subcategories and the effects these variables have on Saudi undergraduate student experiences and expectations. Weidman's (1989) Undergraduate Socialization Model was used to provide contextual perspective in framing this study in regards to the Saudi students' expectations and experiences. Students were invited to participate through emailed links to the online survey in English or Arabic via their email addresses provided through the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to the United States (SACM). Results of this indicated show that Saudi students reported positive expectations, experiences, and outcomes. Furthermore, the top four qualitative responses concerning recommendations for future Saudi students were: Represent Islam/KSA, Respect Self and Others, Study in Saudi First/English Language; and Focus on Studies/Learn Ethics.
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