Saudi Women Studying in the United States: Understanding Their Experiences
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University of the Incarnate Word The Athenaeum Theses & Dissertations 5-2016 Saudi Women Studying in the United States: Understanding Their Experiences Trinidad Macias University of the Incarnate Word, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://athenaeum.uiw.edu/uiw_etds Part of the Higher Education Commons, Islamic Studies Commons, and the Women's Studies Commons Recommended Citation Macias, Trinidad, "Saudi Women Studying in the United States: Understanding Their Experiences" (2016). Theses & Dissertations. 33. https://athenaeum.uiw.edu/uiw_etds/33 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by The Athenaeum. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of The Athenaeum. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SAUDI WOMEN STUDYING IN THE UNITED STATES: UNDERSTANDING THEIR EXPERIENCES by TRINIDAD MACIAS A DISSERTATION Presented to the Faculty of the University of the Incarnate Word in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD May 2016 ii © 2016 Trinidad Macias iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you God for all the wonderful mentors you have blessed me with throughout this journey. I would like to thank my committee members; Dr. Ozturgut, Dr. Kimmel, and Dr. Nath. It has been a great honor and privilege to have your support and guidance. Dr. Ozturgut, I am grateful for your guidance, encouragement, and for embodying the characteristics of a transformational educator and leader. It has been such an honor to learn from you throughout the years. Dr. Kimmel, you are a blessing. I am so humbled that you saw potential in me from our first encounter and have mentored me throughout the years. Dr. Nath, it has been amazing to work with you. Thank you for taking a chance on me and supporting this research. I also want to thank the many UIW members who have encouraged and supported me throughout my studies. To my colleagues, thank you for your friendship. To the Saudi women who made this research possible, I am extremely humbled and grateful for your time and for allowing me to hear your stories. Further, I would like to thank my family. Mom, you are my inspiration and I am so glad that you have been able to partake in this journey with me. Dad, thank you for your encouragement and for understanding my constant curiosity. To my sister and my brother, thank you for being some of my biggest supporters and for reminding me that “if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” To my nephews, you may not know it now but you two kept me grounded and reminded me to enjoy the process. Lastly, to my friends that have become an extension of my family, thank you for supporting my ambitions, and bringing joy and laughter to my life. With Thanks, Trinidad Macias iv DEDICATION I dedicate this to my mom and dad. Thank you for all the sacrifices, support, and encouragement you have provided my entire life. With love, Trinidad v SAUDI WOMEN STUDYING IN THE UNITED STATES: UNDERSTANDING THEIR EXPERIENCES Trinidad Macias University of the Incarnate Word, 2016 The number of students from Saudi Arabia studying in the United States is increasing; this study focused on understanding Saudi women studying in the United States. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to address the main research question: What are the perceptions of Saudi women on their experiences as international college students in the United States? In an attempt to understand their experiences, eleven Saudi Arabian women were interviewed. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview format. Analysis of the data was conducted via a four-step process that consisted of transcribing the interviews, reduction, horizontalization, and imaginative variation (Merriam, 2002). Analysis of the data revealed four main themes: religion, family, academics, and transformation. 1. Religion: Each participant had a high regard for Islam and how it shaped their experiences in the United States. Islam remained at the core of their daily lives and affected everything from scheduling for prayer time to wearing the hijab. 2. Family: A high regard for the family emerged as an important cultural aspect. Family is an essential component of the collectivist culture and had an impact on the experiences of the Saudi women, ranging from being a mother to the family that accompanies them. vi 3. Academics: All participants in this study confronted challenges and experiences similar to other international students, such as language barriers and adapting to a new and different system of education. 4. Transformation: Lastly, the women indicated some sort of transformation that emerged because of their experience studying in the United States. For example, they gained self-confidence in their abilities and expressed the desire to be change agents in their communities. The Saudi female student experience is multi-layered and their experiences are often, if not always, tied into their religion. Although each participant told a different story, all participants shared common experiences as Saudi female international students. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: SAUDI ARABIA .....................................................................................................1 Context of the Study .....................................................................................................................3 Geography ................................................................................................................................3 Religion ....................................................................................................................................4 Culture ......................................................................................................................................4 Women in Islam .......................................................................................................................5 King Abdullah Scholarship Program........................................................................................7 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................................8 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................................8 Research Question ........................................................................................................................9 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................................9 Significance of the Study ...........................................................................................................11 Definition of Terms ....................................................................................................................12 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE .................................................................................15 Saudi Arabia Background ..........................................................................................................16 Country description ................................................................................................................16 Saudi relations with the United States ....................................................................................16 Religion and Culture ..................................................................................................................17 Religion ..................................................................................................................................17 Culture ....................................................................................................................................19 Hijab .......................................................................................................................................20 Education ....................................................................................................................................22 viii Education system in Saudi Arabia ..........................................................................................22 Higher education in Saudi Arabia ..........................................................................................23 Women in higher education....................................................................................................24 Women in the workforce ........................................................................................................24 International student studies ...................................................................................................25 Similar studies ........................................................................................................................26 Role of Women ..........................................................................................................................28 Contributing factors to gender separation ..............................................................................29 Western perceptions of Muslims ............................................................................................30 Feminist Theories .......................................................................................................................32 Western philosophies on women ............................................................................................32