America Needs A Lot More Saudi Students

Sat, Apr 12, 2008 at 11:11:51 am PDT

What could possibly go wrong with this? US to Double Visas for Saudi Students.

Al-JOUF, 10 April 2008 — US Ambassador Ford Fraker said in Sakaka that his country aims to double the number of student visas issued to Saudis.

“Currently there are 15,000 Saudi students in the US,” he said during an event on Sunday with local business leaders to an audience at the Al-Jouf Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “We aim to increase their numbers to 30,000 over the next five years.”

Fraker said Saudi Arabia should bolster its English-language programs because it is generally required for Saudis seeking to pursue higher studies in the US.

Fraker also stressed the need for popularizing English teaching programs because it would overcome the language barriers for Saudi students seeking to study in the US easier.

In order to facilitate increased mutual visits, Fraker said he is working to simplify the issue of visas to Saudi businessmen.