Beyond the Desert: My Summer Exchange Experience in Saudi Arabia

Ms Fu Hei, Year 4 Student from the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (History) in 2025/26

When people talk about Saudi Arabia, they often picture vast deserts and conservative religion. However, my summer exchange there completely reshaped that image, revealing a land rich in warmth and cultural vitality.

The Summer Arabia Programme provided a chance for us to visit Saudi Arabia and learn the Arabic language. The Arabic classes were a gateway to this new world since I had never been there before. Our lessons went far beyond textbook recitation, but the teachers brought the language to life using vibrant hand-drawn pictures and the captivating rhythms of local music, making every lesson engaging and enjoyable.

Beyond the classroom, the school organised trips to two different cities: Taif and Jeddah, each offering a new adventure. We savoured freshly grilled fish at a local fish market, felt the thrill of riding off-road vehicles over sand, enjoyed a relaxing yacht trip, and immersed ourselves in the nation's heritage at art museums.

The greatest warmth, however, came from the people. When I tried to talk to local students using the Arabic phrases I had learned, their faces would light up with surprise and delight. They praised my efforts, eagerly took photos with me, and shared stories about their culture. We girls even had a conversation with a female teacher about marriage in Islam, something we had not learned in our classes back in Hong Kong. Once, an Uber driver, noticing we were foreigners, enthusiastically pointed out local landmarks and even generously offered us fresh figs from his own bag!

In conclusion, this exchange in Saudi Arabia left a deep impression on me. In addition to learning a new language, I broadened my horizons, broke down stereotypes, and gained a deeper understanding of this country that I had only known about through textbooks and the news.

 

 

 

 

Al Rahmah Mosque in the evening

 

 

 

 

A traditional wedding dress

 

 

 

 

Historic Jeddah