Saudi Students in the USA: Community, Campuses, and Daily Life

Finding your community on campus

Most US universities with a meaningful international population have a Saudi Student Club or Saudi Student Association, often connected to SACM. These groups organize welcome events for new arrivals, share housing and course advice, and mark Saudi and Islamic holidays together on campus. Ask your university's international student office whether a Saudi student group exists before you arrive, and connect with it early since it is usually the fastest way to meet people who understand what you are adjusting to.

SACM itself runs orientation programs for newly arrived Saudi students and stays involved through your program, including health insurance enrollment and general student support, according to sacm.org . If you are on a SACM-affiliated scholarship, your SACM advisor is a direct contact for problems that come up during your studies, not only at the start.

Where Saudi students tend to concentrate

Saudi students attend universities across the US, from large public research universities to smaller specialized programs, often shaped by which schools accept SACM-sponsored students and which fields the scholarship program prioritizes, historically engineering, business, medicine, and the sciences. The exact current numbers and top host states shift from year to year. The Institute of International Education publishes an annual Saudi Arabia country profile in its Open Doors report with the latest enrollment figures and leading fields of study, worth checking before you assume where the largest Saudi communities are this year.

Food and faith in daily life

Halal food access varies sharply by location. Large cities and college towns with an established Muslim or Middle Eastern community usually have halal grocery stores and restaurants nearby. Smaller towns often have limited options. You might end up cooking most of your own meals or ordering halal meat online. Check what is available near your specific campus before you arrive, since student groups and current students are the best source for this, more than official university pages.

Many US campuses have a multifaith prayer space or a student-run Muslim Students Association that organizes Friday prayers and Islamic holiday events. Ask your international student office about prayer space and dietary options during orientation. Connect with the Muslim Students Association if your campus has one, since it usually overlaps with the Saudi student community.

Planning around Ramadan and Eid

The US academic calendar does not adjust for Ramadan or Eid, so classes, exams, and deadlines continue on the normal schedule. Talk to your professors ahead of time if fasting affects your schedule. Many instructors adjust minor deadlines or exam timing with advance notice, but this is not guaranteed and depends on the individual instructor and your university's policy. Saudi student associations often organize group iftars during Ramadan, a practical way to keep the routine of breaking your fast with others even while classes continue.

Practical adjustments international students mention most

• Weather and distances: many US campuses are spread out and car-dependent, unlike dense Saudi cities, so factor in transportation when you pick housing.

• Academic style: US classes often factor class participation and group work into your final grade, in addition to exam scores. That feels different from a more exam-focused system for many new arrivals.

• Banking and phone setup: opening a US bank account and getting a phone plan usually needs your passport, I-20, and a US address. Arrange this in your first week.

• Health insurance: your university likely requires you to enroll in a specific plan or show proof of comparable coverage. Confirm this before your program starts, especially if SACM manages your insurance.

Weather across US regions

US weather varies by region far more than many new students expect. Winters in the Northeast and Midwest bring freezing temperatures and snow, while the South and parts of California stay mild year-round. Check the typical climate for your specific campus location before you pack or buy a winter coat, rather than assuming US weather is one thing everywhere.

Time zones and staying in touch

Saudi Arabia is roughly 7 to 11 hours ahead of the continental US, depending on the time zone and time of year, which affects when you can call family or join a video call. Agree on a regular call schedule with family early, since spontaneous calls get harder once your class and work schedule fills in. Group chats with other Saudi students on campus, often organized through the Saudi Student Club, are a common way to stay updated on community events and news from home.

Getting involved beyond the Saudi community

Joining clubs and activities outside the Saudi student group helps you build a wider network and improve your English faster. Career fairs, academic clubs tied to your major, and volunteer groups are open to international students and often lead to internship connections. Balance time with the Saudi community and time with the wider campus. Both matter for your college experience and for your resume after graduation.