Best Practices for Integrating Arab Women into U.S Universities Salma - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Best Practices for Integrating Arab Women into U.S Universities Salma Benhaida, Kent State University  Eshraq Alkhabbaz, University of Northern Iowa  Karen Bauer, EducationUSA MENA 

Agenda  Goals and Icebreaker  MENA Women: Cultural Differences & Similarities  Challenges Arab women face at U.S. universities  Recommendations  Q&A

Goal  Learn more about Arab women  Be able to identify their needs  Involve them on campus  Provide accommodations  Create a safe space  Mobilize resources

Ice Breaker- In Her Shoes!!! ONE WORD Think of one word that comes to mind on how an Arab woman might be feeling as she prepares to depart to the United States for her studies.

Similarities & Differences Among MENA Women SIMILARITIES DIFFERENCES  Language (Arabic)  Not all Arabs are Muslim  Religion  Clothing  Culture/Traditions  Culture/Traditions  History -(Sub-Culture)  Tie to family unit *Influence of media

Challenges Arab Women face at U.S. Universities  Language  Family responsibilities - Childcare  Mixed classes (Males and Females)  Food - Halal  Feel isolated, socializing, public events  Driving (Saudi Specific)

Examples in The Field  Before departing – Karen  Brining in the whole campus community – Salma  Inclusive activities for Saudi women - Eshraq

Prior to Departing to the U.S. Make an investment, with the family  -Immediate family -Extended Family Understand Constraints  -Safety and distance -Timeframe Single or Married - Mahraim  Pre-departure Orientations  Visa Process  Pre-departure Orientation for Jizan Medical Students U.S. Embassy – Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Sara AlFaiz-Boston University ‘15 Arabs for Altruism MOTTO:  Founder of Arabs for Altruism The best people  245 volunteers from schools are those that help throughout Boston area others  EducationUSA CCC Student Prophet Mohammed, Peace be Upon Him  Triple major

Best Practices- Kent State University  Recognize who your on-campus allies are (environmental scan)  Get buy-in from other offices and departments  Inclusion of Arab women is not the sole responsibility of the international office  Mobilize existing resources  It takes a village!

Best Practices- Kent State University Women Center Academic Departments Student Services Units

Best Practices- Kent State University  Dfsd How can your university create the right environment for Arab women to thrive?

Best Practices- Kent State University an integral part of our wonderfully diverse Arab women at KSU… university community!

Inclusive Activities for Saudi Women  Saudi women’s group  Saudi-American women ONLY gathering  Girls’ Night Out – WRC  Campus wide activities  Leadership opportunities

Junior/Senior High School Visit

Arabic Immersion Room

Saudi Ethnic Dinner at UNI

Recommendations  Focus on family - Kids friendly childcare  Women only event  Halal food & No alcohol  Campus Resources  Guest speakers – Shared experience  Opportunities to share culture  Create dialogue with U.S. students and campus community at large

Questions & Answers Salma Benhaida Kent State University Assistant Director , International Recruitment and Admission sbenhaid@kent.edu www.kent.edu Eshraq Alkhabbaz University of Northern Iowa International Student Recruiter-Middle East eshraq.alkhabbaz@uni.edu http://uni.edu/intladm Karen Bauer EducationUSA Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Institute for International Education, Department of State bauerkm@state.gov http://educationusa.state.gov