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theses

Students seeking higher education outside their country of origin is a growing phenomenon. The United States is the largest host nation but has been losing market share as other countries increase their efforts to recruit international students. Surprisingly, after several years of decline, the rate of growth in students from Saudi Arabia has surpassed the rate of growth for all foreign students choosing higher education institutions (HEIs) in the United States since 2006. The history of international education in the United States and the current state of education in the Middle East provided background for an analysis of the political factors that resulted in the change. This dissertation also assessed the mechanisms of choice and motivations of Saudis students that led to attending an HEI in the United States. Student choice theory, expectancy theory, economic theories including human capital theory and comparative advantage, students as consumers, and social constructs such as intergroup contact and diffusion of innovation theory were used to design semi-structured interviews among various stakeholder and an online survey of Saudi students to learn how and why they chose the HEI they currently attended. Saudi students were influenced in their decision to study in the United States by the availability of scholarships from the Saudi government and by the implementation of the SEVIP visa system that facilitated their choice of country. In addition, Saudi students were asked about their experiences at HEIs in the United States and their attitudes toward the United States, western social and political norms and possible modernization of Saudi society. These results were compared to survey data from students who remained in Saudi Arabia for higher education. The comparison shows that Saudi students in the U.S. have a more favorable opinion of the United States than before studying here, increased approval for greater gender equality and western values such as respect for human rights and women's education and employment. This research contains recommendations for HEIs that want to recruit Saudi students and improve their integration into the campus community.

ETD_7483

Ph.D.

Includes bibliographical references

by Margaret E. La Scala

doi:10.7282/T3NZ89ZZ

ETD doctoral

The author owns the copyright to this work.