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

• Salma Benhaida, Kent State University
• Eshraq Alkhabbaz, University of Northern Iowa
• Karen Bauer, EducationUSA MENA

Best Practices for Integrating Arab Women into U.S Universities

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

 Language (Arabic)  Religion  Culture/Traditions  History  Tie to family unit  Not all Arabs are Muslim  Clothing  Culture/Traditions

• (Sub-Culture)

*Influence of media

SIMILARITIES DIFFERENCES

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: The best people are those that help

• thers

Prophet Mohammed, Peace be Upon Him  Founder of Arabs for Altruism  245 volunteers from schools

throughout Boston area

 EducationUSA CCC Student  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

• f 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

How can your university create the right environment for Arab women to thrive?

 Dfsd

Best Practices-Kent State University

Arab women at KSU…

an integral part of our wonderfully diverse 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