Study in the USA Saudi Arabia
Study in the USA from Saudi Arabia is a traditional destination for parents and their children. Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern country located on the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. The country also has access to the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Its total area is 2,149,690 km2, and its total population is 38,401,000 residents. The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh.
Most people in Saudi Arabia are Arab, specifically of the Najdi and Hejazi tribes. There are also significant numbers of South Asian, Southeast Asian, and African migrant workers living in the country. Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, and it is the primary language spoken by most of the population. However, due to the significant number of foreign workers living in the country, other languages, such as English, Urdu, and Tagalog, are also commonly spoken.
Saudi Arabia is known for being the birthplace of Islam and the site of the two holiest places, Mecca and Medina. Aside from Islamic sites, the country has several other attractions for tourists. The Red Sea coast is a popular destination for beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts, with several luxury resorts and hotels. The Al-Ula region in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia is also a popular tourist destination, thanks to its stunning rock formations and ancient ruins, including the Nabatean city of Hegra, which was recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Saudi Arabia is a major global oil producer and exporter, with the oil industry being the main driver of the country’s economy. The government has launched its Vision 2030 plan, which aims to transform the country’s economy and society, but many Saudi Arabians continue to emigrate overseas. Today, over 96,000 people of Saudi origin live in the USA. They prefer to reside in California, Washington DC, Florida, and Ohio.
Many Saudi Arabians living in the USA are highly educated, with a significant proportion holding advanced degrees in fields such as engineering, medicine, and business. The Saudi Arabian government has also established several cultural and educational initiatives in the USA, such as the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in California and the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Texas, to promote cultural exchange and education between the two countries.
Saudi Arabian students make up a large proportion of the international student population in the USA. Each year, over 10,000 students from Saudi Arabia choose to pursue programs of study in the USA. Saudi students are attracted to the diverse range of places of study in the USA, as well as the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through internships and research opportunities.
Language Proficiency Tests, SAT, ACT, and GRE Requirements
When applying to study in the USA are required to take language proficiency tests and standardized exams, depending on the intended academic program and level of study.
Students from Saudi Arabia who wish to study in the USA at high schools must take the TOEFL or IELTS to demonstrate their English language proficiency. Some schools may also offer alternative language proficiency tests, or they may waive test requirements for students who have completed prior English language coursework or demonstrated proficiency in other ways.
For undergraduate programs of study in the USA, students from Saudi Arabia are required to take either the TOEFL or IELTS exam to prove their English proficiency. In addition, most colleges and universities require students to submit scores from either the SAT or ACT exams as part of their application.
Graduate programs of study in the USA require students from Saudi Arabia to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Many graduate programs of study in the USA also require students to submit scores from the GRE, which is a standardized test that measures the verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills of international students.
Secondary Boarding Schools to Study in the USA
Secondary boarding schools are a popular option for students from Saudi Arabia who wish to study in the USA. These schools offer a comprehensive academic curriculum combined with a supportive and structured environment that helps international students develop important skills such as independence, time management, and self-discipline.
Boarding schools offer rigorous programs of study in the USA that prepares students for admission to the top colleges worldwide. They also have a wide range of extracurricular activities, such as sports, arts, and community service.
Boarding schools typically provide a range of support services to help international students adjust to their programs of study in the USA. These services may include English language support, tutoring, counseling, and cultural orientation. Among the high-quality boarding schools to study in the USA for students from Saudi Arabia are EF Academy, Lake Tahoe School, Grand River Academy, Montverde Academy, and North Broward School.
Post-Secondary Schools to Study in the USA from Saudi Arabia
Students from Saudi Arabia who wish to study in the USA tend to pursue post-secondary programs in business administration, engineering, computer science, medicine, and English literature. Thus, it is worth discovering the most popular types of schools to study in the USA for students from Saudi Arabia.
Community colleges are two-year institutions that offer associate degree programs as well as vocational and technical training for international students. These colleges are more affordable for students from Saudi Arabia, as they offer lower tuition rates than four-year universities. Some examples of affordable community colleges to study in the USA include Houston Community College, Santa Monica College, and Miami Dade College.
The next place of study in the USA is state universities. They are four-year public institutions that offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Students from Saudi Arabia prefer to study in the USA at the University of Texas, California State University, and the University of North Carolina.
One more place of study in the USA is private universities. They are four-year institutions that often have smaller class sizes and more personalized attention for international students. However, they are more expensive than state universities. Students from Saudi Arabia choose to study in the USA at Brigham Young University, Berea College, and Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.
Technical and vocational schools are also popular places to study in the USA. They offer specialized training in fields such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades. These schools often offer shorter programs and more hands-on training than traditional universities. Students from Saudi Arabia decide to study in the USA at ITT Technical Institute, Lincoln Technical Institute, and Arizona Automotive Institute.
Average Tuition Fees for International Students from Saudi Arabia
Considering the option to study in the USA, it is crucial to examine the tuition costs for each education level. For example, boarding schools can charge between $21,000 and $55,000 per year. Undergraduate and graduate students from Saudi Arabia can expect to pay between $25,000 and $65,000 per year, depending on the institution and field of study in the USA. Tuition fees for community colleges range from $9,000 to $19,000 per year.
Further Immigration after the Study in the USA from Saudi Arabia
After completing their programs of study in the USA, students from Saudi Arabia may choose to find a job in the country. The most common option for international students is Optional Practical Training (OPT). This program allows recent international graduates to work in the USA for up to a year. Students who have earned degrees in certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension. During their OPT period, international students can gain practical work experience in their field of study and potentially transition to a work visa or other immigration status.
The second option is the H-1B visa, a temporary work visa for skilled foreign workers. Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in a specialized field and must be sponsored by an American employer. The next option is the EB-2 visa, a permanent residency visa for individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in their field.
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