Personal Statement (no more than one page indicating why you are interested in participating in the program)
Personal Statement (no more than one page
indicating why you are interested in participating in the program)
My interests in the
United States started when I became a member of the Saudi Educational Mission
from the Year 1968 to 1973. After coming back to Saudi Arabia I joined the
Saudi Arabian Airlines where I kept in dealing with America and the Americans.
One of the first
exposures to the American political system was when I watched the inauguration
ceremony of President Richard Nixon on January 20th 1969. Few years
later I watched the hearings of the Watergate Scandal. I also lived some of the
student protests against the Vietnam War. But at the same time I noticed the
rehabilitation of the Vietnam veterans.
My exposure to the
American civilization continued through working for Saudi Arabian Airlines for
twelve years, and through continuous listening to NPR (National Public Radio)
and my relations with the American Consulate in Jeddah and the US Embassy in
Riyadh.
After some years of
academic work in the field of 'Orientalism', I discovered that we in the
Arab/Muslim World lack real understanding of the West and in particular the
USA. So I began advocating the Study of the West (Both Europe and the USA). I
published many articles in my weekly column in Al-Madinah Newspaper and different
other papers and magazines in which I showed that I am a firm believer that in
order to build strong relationships with the Europe and the USA we should
immediately establish such studies. I was also a guest speaker in live shows of
different satellite channels (i.e. Iqra, Al-Majad. Al-Ikhbaria).In these
programs I strongly advocated the establishment of European and USA studies.
I submitted a monograph to King Faisal Center
for Research and Islamic Study about establishing area studies departments and
research centers at Saudi Universities. In this proposal I tried to explore
this field by acquainting myself with USA studies in different countries from
Japan (I visited for two weeks for this purpose), China, and Hong Kong). To
further my knowledge of this field I had correspondence with University of
London program for the study of USA and the Americas.
King Abdul-Aziz Public
Library has published my book titled "My Trips to America". (2005).
One of the main themes of this book is the vital importance of the Study of
Europe and the USA.
I believe attending such
program will give me a deeper understanding of the American civilization which
I will make great use of as a basis for future courses and seminars or even
research projects for future Saudi Students pursing their graduate work in the
field of American Culture and Civilization
Therefore I believe that
four weeks of seminars and lectures on American civilization can be a great
assist in establishing such program in Saudi Arabia in the very near future.
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