Factors affecting the re-entry experiences of returning Saudi international students after studying abroad

الملخص EN

The main purpose of this research is to answer the following research question: How do some important factors such as gender, age, marital status, period of study abroad, contact with heritage culture while studying abroad and religion affect the re-entry experiences of Saudi returnees? The total number of participants in the study was 21 Saudi returnees, consisting male (n=13, 61.90 per cent) and female participants (n=8, 38.09 per cent)returning from studying in the U.

S.

U.

K.

and Australia.

By conducting semi-structured individual interviews with the participants.

The findings showed that female Saudi returnees experienced greater challenges than males due to gender imbalances in the culture in Saudi Arabia.

Concerning the age factor, participants responded variously.

Furthermore, the findings revealed that most participants deemed that single Saudi returnees meet more challenges than the married ones.

Also, the results indicated that the longer an individual is staying abroad, the greater challenges experienced upon returning home.

Additionally, it was found that keeping contact with the heritage culture, either via annual visits or using social media, has facilitated the re-entry process for the participants.

Finally, most of the participants were completely certain that positive impacts of the religion for their re-entry override the undesirable effects.

Consequently, they became more aware of the essence of practising the religious teachings, helping them to easily re-adapt.

Implications of the findings and directions for future research are provided.