International Advising Summit Awab Al-Rawe University of Oregon

Supporting Arab Student Populations on US campuses Reflecting on personal and professional relationships And experiences * Share studies and data Have a discussion on best practices and resources

Background Early Life and Family Education Move to the US

Work Experience Iraq Syria University of Oregon Refugee Resettlement Program Lane County

Middle East

Oregon

Arab Student Population International Students Immigrant Populations Refugee Populations

Data on International Arab Students in the US Arab students constituted nearly 10 percent of total enrollments of international students (economic contribution= $3 billion/year) 90,000 total students. 50% undergraduate / 34% graduate / 23% non-degree. 67% of Arab students come from Saudi Arabia.

General Info International students from Arab countries are generally supported through government sponsorships. The vast majority of Arab students are Muslims. Most Arab students are expected/required to study specific topics.

Challenges Language. Culture. Systems. Financial.

Immigrants Populations An immigrant is someone who chooses to resettle to another country. Documented and undocumented Driven by economic/ social factors as opposed to security (refugees)

Immigrant Population Arab immigrants are “better educated and more wealthy than the average American” (Wingfield, 2011, p.254

Immigrant Data

Population Density

Comparison Arabs are nearly twice as likely as the typical U.S. resident to possess a college degree — 41 percent to 24 percent. Seventeen percent of Arab Americans have a post-graduate degree, which is nearly twice the American average (9%). The average income of Arab Americans is 22% higher than the U.S. national average.

Arab Americans- Challenges Arab American students perceive their native born American counterparts as “undisciplined” (Zehr, 2008, p. 5). Middle Eastern students are forced to choose to associate themselves with Arab culture and thus be judged as un-American, or to associate with American culture and be forced to abandon their culture. Regardless of the choices Arab Americans make, they quickly find that they do not fully fit either persona (Suleiman, 2000, p.9) Harassment

Arab Refugees A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war, or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so.

Arab Refugees? The vast majority are Iraqis and Syrians. Limited resources are available for public education initially. Challenges to enroll in universities: Financial Educational Cultural Lack of awareness

What Arab Refugees Do After Resettlement Education? Employment How do they make an income?

Suggestions for Support Active student groups involvement. Reviewing academic materials and teaching. Provide supporting staff with relevant experiences.

Questions? Comments?