Staff Editorial: Saudi exchange students should be welcomed and encouraged

The United States' relationship with Saudi Arabia is an old and complex one that doesn't look to be ending or simplifying any time soon. As home of the world's largest oil reserves, the country has been a priority for American foreign policy and energy consumption.

In recent years, however, the Saudi-American connection has been under extreme scrutiny. Fifteen out of the 19 Sept. 11, 2001 hijackers were Saudi, and the backlash has made coming to the United States for Saudi students a complicated and time-consuming ordeal.

A recent Reuters article indicated that Saudi Arabia hopes to send 10,000 students to study in the United States in an attempt to strengthen cultural links that have weakened since the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

There are certainly many benefits to cultural outreach and exchange, and the efforts are a good start to breaking down misunderstandings and barriers.

The structure and nature of Saudi Arabia's society and culture, however, are a complete departure from America. Many of the students that will end up coming on scholarships will have conditions worked into their scholarship agreements to not engage in certain behaviors, including certain political and cultural activities.

Of course, American universities should welcome these students. And, of course, these students should have access to a first-class education. A scholarship to study in America, however, should be more than just a ticket to a prestigious degree. The experience should be one that will showcase America's freedoms and engage these students in societal knowledge as well.

The students should take a lesson from some of their Saudi colleagues, many of whom studied in America and have returned home with ambitions and determination to keep their discussions going through a newly established Saudi blogging organization.

Hopefully, the incoming students will go home to share what they have learned and improve their own society with their experiences. Otherwise the whole exchange seems futile [HTML_REMOVED] American culture will continue to remain mysterious to many Saudis who have little to rely on for an image of America but what their government dictates.