Saudi Male Perceptions of Study in the United States: An Analysis of King Abdullah Scholarship

167 Pages·2016·1.08 MB·English

Western Kentucky University
TopSCHOLAR®
Dissertations Graduate School
12-2013
Saudi Male Perceptions of Study in the United
States: An Analysis of King Abdullah Scholarship
Program Participants
Terry Ryan Hall
Western Kentucky University, [email protected]
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Hall, Terry Ryan, "Saudi Male Perceptions of Study in the United States: An Analysis of King Abdullah Scholarship Program
Participants" (2013).Dissertations.Paper 50.
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SAUDI MALE PERCEPTIONS OF STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES: AN
ANALYSIS OF KING ABDULLAH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.

A Dissertation
Presented to
The Faculty of the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Education

By
T. Ryan Hall

December 2013

I dedicate this dissertation to my wife, Emily Hall. Her selflessness and indomitable
spirit are an inspiration. Her unwavering love and support lead me places I could never
reach alone.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I could have never completed this journey on my own, and I owe nearly everyone
in my life a debt of gratitude for the patience they showed as I set aside a substantial part
of my life for study.
I am exceedingly thankful to my dissertation chairperson, Dr. Barbara Burch. Her
guidance and ability to always ask the right questions have been invaluable. Her genuine
interest in my ideas and belief in my ability leave me humbled.
I am also thankful to my committee members, Dr. Alex Poole, and Dr. Ric
Keaster for their support, encouragement, direction, and ability to endure my sometimes
unorthodox ways. I thank my entire committee for their contributions to my education
and growth.
To my coworkers across ESLI, thank you for the camaraderie, conversation, and
consideration. Thank you to Gary Bartholomew for having faith in me to do big things
and facilitating my successes in so many ways. Thank you to Kathy Jewell for doing so
many things to teach me and make my life better. Thank you to Lori Osburn for always
believing in me and giving me an “attaboy.” I thank Dawn Winters for her friendship, for
always being someone you can count on and for her steadfast willingness to share ideas.
I also thank my family for a lifetime of love and understanding. My parents,
Terry and Sherri Hall, who sacrificed for me many times in life and are a part of
everything I do. I thank my brother, Dustin Hall, who has always been a person who
understands. Finally, I thank Brad Ping for being like a brother.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... vii

ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... ix

I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1

Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1

Background ............................................................................................................ 7

Importance of the Study ......................................................................................... 9

Purpose and Scope of the Study........................................................................... 10

Definition of Terms.............................................................................................. 10

Assumptions ......................................................................................................... 13

Research Questions .............................................................................................. 13

Significance.......................................................................................................... 14

Summary of Chapters .......................................................................................... 14

II. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ..................................................................... 16

Introduction .......................................................................................................... 16

Overview of Saudi Arabia ................................................................................... 17

Religion ..................................................................................................... 20

Gender Issues ............................................................................................ 23

Saudi Scholarship History and Goals .................................................................. 25

International Students in the United States .......................................................... 29

International Student Adjustment ........................................................................ 35

International Student Motivations........................................................................ 38

Saudi Students ...................................................................................................... 39
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Academic Culture and Interactions with KASP .................................................. 43

U-Curve Theory and Shock ................................................................................. 46

Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 48

III. METHODOLODY .............................................................................................. 50

Introduction .......................................................................................................... 50

Research Design................................................................................................... 50

Role of the Researcher ......................................................................................... 53

Population and Sample ........................................................................................ 55

Research Questions .............................................................................................. 56

Instrument Development ...................................................................................... 57

Procedures ............................................................................................................ 58

Data Analysis ....................................................................................................... 59

Ethical Considerations ......................................................................................... 61

Summary .............................................................................................................. 62

IV. FINDINGS ........................................................................................................... 64

Introduction .......................................................................................................... 64

Patterns and Themes ............................................................................................ 68

Summary ............................................................................................................ 101

V. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................. 105

Introduction ......................................................................................................... 105

Discussion of Patterns and Themes .................................................................... 107

Summary ............................................................................................................. 124

Recommendations ............................................................................................... 126
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Conclusions ......................................................................................................... 131

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 133

APPENDIX A: Interview Questions Mapped to Research Questions........................... 142

APPENDIX B: Letter to Study Participants .................................................................. 146

APPENDIX C: Consent Form ....................................................................................... 149

APPENDIX D: Summary Outline ................................................................................. 152

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Saudi Student Enrollments in the United States. .............................................. 28
Table 2. U.S. International Student Enrollment. ............................................................. 30
Table 3. International Student Enrollment and Financial Contributions. ....................... 32
Table 4. Top 25 Places of Origin of International Students 2010/11-2011/12 ............... 34

Table 5. Research Question Alignment to Patterns and Themes .................................... 67

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