University options for ARAMCO kids in the region

[TeenMom]

I really appreciate this forum. Its very informative and helpful.
I have 2 kids, one in Gr. 7 & one in Gr. 11 in US. My concern is mainly for my 11th grader.
What options does he have in regards to college education, in the region? I read somewhere on the forum that there are universities in Bahrain and UAE. How good are these and how easy is it to get accepted there. Does anyone know any families that have gone that route for their kids? Or have there been any developments lately in this regards? What costs does ARAMCO cover, in at all? Thanks.

[vpainter]

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Aramco does not pay any college tuition or fees. They do pay for 2 round trip tickets at the end of each semester for the student to come home X8 trips (4 years).

[TeenMom]

Thanks vpainter. I hear things are changing slowly and that there are several expats who are looking for local varsities to send their kids to. I guess its more wishful thinking on my part.

[azraeil]

I know of a friend who sends his daughter for medical school in Bahrain. It's been done before but again, I am not sure about the quality of education etc. It's a difficult choice, just like the one that has to be made when the kids starts 10th grade.

[TeenMom]

Thanks azreili, I appreciate ur response. I've been reading many articles about Dammam Community college, Yammama Univ. and KAUT opening up their doors for foreigners. Do any of u send ur kids here or know any one who does? I'd rather my son goes nearby at least for a couple of years and then transfer to US.

[Hadia]

From a social, aesthetic, language and driving perspective, I wouldn't want my child to have a split college experience starting in KSA. I would send him/her to the US or elsewhere for the whole thing, live near family if that's a concern. Driving here is a fright, and then there's the aspect of trying to make friends, fit in, social life is divided for males and females. I wouldn't ask my kid to have that kind of college experience when compared to what s/he expects of college, based on US schools.

BTW, backing it up a step...Don't underestimate the influence of the Aramco teachers and students on western 9th graders and families when it comes to the issue of whether to send kids out of Kingdom for 10-12th grades (plus presumably, university). While many families do send their kids to high school locally, there is a huge pressure on kids and families to assume the nest will be emptied here at a younger age, well before traditional university age.

For our family, the issue of boarding school differs among our kids, depending on his/her wishes and maturity (as is the case for many families). For university, however, for our family it will be OOK for sure, no matter how much I'd rather keep the nest populated.

[soverydeb]

Our daughter goes to college in the US and we wouldn't have it any other way. With email, skype, vonage and viber, you can't help but stay connected, and she has had a wonderful college experience. Again, it's what will work best for you and your family.

[TeenMom]

Thank you, Hadia & Soverydeb

[Texas]

I spoke to a friend of mine who has been in Dubai for quite sometime and he is from the US, he lives and works in Dubai and both of his kids go to the American University in Dubai (AUD). AUD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees (see www.sacscoc.org).

This would be an option for a closer-by higher education for the kids while still working in Saudi.

[TeenMom]

I spoke to a friend of mine who has been in Dubai for quite sometime and he is from the US, he lives and works in Dubai and both of his kids go to the American University in Dubai (AUD). AUD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees (see http://www.sacscoc.org).

This would be an option for a closer-by higher education for the kids while still working in Saudi.

Hi Texas, Thanks for the info. Yes, I have been checking Universities in UAE. One University that keeps popping up on my google search is King Fahd Univ of Petroleum & Minerals. Its about 15 mins from ARAMCO camp in Dhahran. It has a good reputation. I wonder if any one sends their kids to this one.

[GroveWanderer]

One University that keeps popping up on my google search is King Fahd Univ of Petroleum & Minerals. Its about 15 mins from ARAMCO camp in Dhahran. It has a good reputation. I wonder if any one sends their kids to this one.

I'm pretty sure KFUPM is for Saudi students only.

[TeenMom]

That's what I thought, Grovewanderer. But this is what it says on its website,
"He must be a Saudi citizen, or a residence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia having valid Iqama" AND
"He should have earned the secondary school certificate, or its equivalent from inside or outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" Anybody who knows otherwise? I appreciate the info. Thanks.

[TeenMom]

Also, this is one of their Mission/Vision statements...
Diversity
"Attract and develop employees and students of different nationalities seeking to promote cultural diversity through inclusion of a broad range of people and perspectives."

[Hadia]

Perhaps you could get some direct info by visiting this forum, for people who are new to KFUPM:

http://www.ikfupm.com/forum/forumdispla ... w-to-KFUPM

Some of the previous posts may give you a sense of things from the students' perspective.

You could post some questions there, or maybe get a referral to another site, or find expat students willing to help answer your questions.

[TeenMom]

Thanks Hadia, the link is helpful.