Talal Abdullah Al-Maliki Al-Madinah Saudi writer Abdullah Mohammed Bayhan recently wrote in Al-Watan newspaper an article titled: “Do not blame scholarship students when they return frustrated.” He said a number of Saudi students who are sent to study abroad on scholarships often return to their country bored and disoriented. Many other writers readily agreed with him, which I do not find strange or surprising. However, writing such articles will make male and female scholarship students who read these articles frustrated and hesitant to return home, especially when the writers draw a bright picture of the countries to where the students were sent and a bleak picture about our country. When I was sent abroad to do my post graduate studies, there was no social media. The only available means of communications was a radio program titled “Greetings and Salam” presented by famous host Badr Mohammed Kuraim. Having said this, I would like to state the following: Firstly — all students on scholarships were sent abroad for a clear objective, which was to acquire new skills and be armed with academic learning which their country needs. They are expected to transfer knowledge and technology to their home country. Secondly — the government does not send students on scholarships for tourism or entertainment. Therefore, they should not waste their time, prolong their years of study or delay their return home with lame excuses. Thirdly — scholarship students are human beings who can influence others and also be affected by others. We have all gone through the phase of what is called the “culture shock” that is a common feature during the first weeks or months of being abroad. The presence of older students and the cultural attachés around us have enabled most of us to overcome this phase. However, some remain under the influence of the culture shock until they return to the Kingdom, but these are rare cases that should be studied. Fourthly — the Kingdom is in dire need of the knowledge and expertise gained by these students during their stay abroad. If our conditions, which are usually criticized by many writers, are good, we would not have needed to send these students abroad. Fifthly — the reason behind the discipline, accuracy and good behavior reflected by many scholarship students on return goes back to the respect of law and order that they have picked up in their countries of study. The majority of society members there are mostly law-abiding citizens. They have learned to be disciplined citizens for a long time. Sixthly — if we want our society to be like societies in the West with regards to respect of law and order, we should analyze the ills or our society and cure them. We should be part of the tools for change. Seventh — instead of criticizing the traffic policeman, Saudi Arabian Airlines staff or the director of any government department, our scholarship students should work immediately on return to develop their society. They may face a lot of difficulties but they should be patient and persistent. Lastly — our country is replete with treasures, the greatest of which are its men and women, so we should not blame them for any shortcomings, otherwise, we will be turning the diamond back to coal.
