A group of 12 students from Saudi Arabia are at University of Lynchburg for a week to learn about community engagement and American culture.
The students are here under the auspices of Legacy International, a Bedford, Virginia-based organization dedicated to promoting peace by fostering a worldwide culture of participation with practical, community-based solutions to problems.
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The University of Lynchburg visit is part of the Saudi Young Leaders Exchange Program, which began in Washington, D.C. June 3 and extends through June 23.
The students are staying with families in Lynchburg and doing community service projects through LC’s Office of Community Involvement. On Thursday, June 19, they visited Camp Kum-Ba-Yah and the Jubilee Family Learning Center, as well as attend a Hillcats baseball game.
On Friday, June 20, they visited LC’s Claytor Nature Study Center to learn about environmental education.
The students also want to learn more about education in the US and got an introduction from LC President Kenneth Garren, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Paula Lichiello, Dean of the School of Business and Economics Joe Turek, and Alex Akulli, director of the Center for Global Education, who said he hopes the visit will just be the beginning of further exchanges.
“I’d like to learn more about American colleges and college life,” Mohammad Alkharraz said. “I’m also interested in MBA programs.”
Rehab Alosaimi said she is interested in becoming a teacher and would like to learn more about American education, particularly programs that allow educators to work one-on-one with students, like LC’s Summer Reading Clinic.
