There are 103 countries represented at Park University. I think I can claim to have spoken to people from 80 different countries at Park. That last number might be made up but somehow the figure feels right.

Over the next few weeks, I will try to introduce you to these countries. There is a disclaimer before we begin. Despite living on this planet for more than a quarter of a century, I have only visited two countries: Kenya and the United States. I do not count the two hour layover in the Dubai airport although it was awesome. The introductions derive from what I have learned from conversations with citizens of these countries.

I thought we could start this week by introducing you to our Saudi Arabian students. They are the largest population of Park international students presently.

A few years ago there were hardly any Saudi students at Park. I don’t know what happened to account for this. One reason you should be envious of some Saudi Arabian students is because of their free college tuition. And not just in any college but studying abroad. Not all but most of the Saudi students at Park are sponsored by the Saudi government. The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to the U.S. popularly known by its acronym SACM is responsible for taking care of them. To sweeten the pot,

SACM also provides a living stipend.

If you think Saudi Arabia is a conservative country then you are right. Islam is the official religion.

Indeed the title of the King of Saudi Arabia is the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The two mosques are the Masjid al Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina. Mecca is the holiest city in Islam as it is the site of the Kabba. Muslims all over the world always pray facing Mecca.

The country follows a strict interpretation of Sharia law. So officially drinking is prohibited and relations between the sexes have clearly defined rules. The family is very important in Saudi culture.

Without the family, a person is considered rootless. Even in individualistic America, Saudi students manage to maintain close ties with their family here and in their home country.

Having said this, some Saudi students are the most liberal bunch I have ever met. For instance, many I have met in the United States drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes.

The Arab Spring has largely left the Kingdom unscathed. That does not mean there isn’t any political anxiety. However, that anxiety is borne of a different fear unrelated to events happening in the Middle East.

In England, Prince Charles will become King of England on the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth.

He is the eldest child. In Japan, succession to the Emperor’s Chrysanthemum throne is guaranteed through the male line usually through the eldest child. In Saudi Arabia, things are different.

The present monarch of Saudi Arabia is King Abdullah. He is from the al Saud family.  The al Sauds meaning House of Saud give the kingdom its name. They have ruled it on and off for more than a century. In the modern age, the first King was ibn Saud.

Saudi Arabia has an unconventional succession system to the throne. In a patriarchal society like Saudi Arabia, succession is also reserved for males. Since the modern founding of Saudi Arabia, all the kings have been sons of ibn Saud. Kings in Saudi Arabia usually have a multitude of sons from different wives.

A succession plan has been announced and a royal council has chosen the next king – Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz. Still Saudis are anxious because they are not sure if the succession will hold once all the children of ibn Saud are dead, and succession has to go to the next generation.

Anyway, that was your brief introduction to Saudi Arabia. Next time you see a Saudi Arabian student on campus, take a few minutes to say hello and learn more.