Difficulties of Saudi Arabian Female Students Studying English Abroad

Abstract

Research on the difficulties of international students has dramatically increased in the last few years. However, there has been very little research on the difficulties of Saudi Arabian females studying abroad. The purpose of the present study is to identify difficulties of Saudi female students studying abroad. The findings clearly indicate that interaction with and the presence of male students in classes is the greatest difficulty for Saudi female students studying abroad. It also shows that family sources are the preferred method used by students to seek assistance to overcome the anxiety of studying with male students in foreign countries. Further research is needed for identifying and suggesting the remedies to overcome the difficulties faced by females coming from conservative backgrounds while studying in western countries. I have used the results of interviews and a questionnaire conducted on Saudi female students who have experience of studying in a foreign country.