My Graduation and the Decision

On Fall 2004, I have finished my bachelor's degree from King Abdulaziz university in Jeddad, Saudi Arabia. My parents encouraged me to pursuit my education as my sisters did. I told them that my dream is to have my higher education from the Unites States. Mom laughed and said forgot that because you are a young girl and how we can explain to the family that our youngest daughter wants to live and study abroad. Although, my family has a great understanding of freedom, it was hard for them to have their daughter live abroad. Especially, many Saudi families look at us as a liberal family.
Our culture is against too much freedom for the girls, so that's was my parents main concern, how and what we can tell the family and people.
I forgot the idea completely and I applied for jobs. I worked for three month as an English teacher in a private school. After that the glimpse of hope appeared again, when my brother wanted to take an intensive English course during summer in Britain. I tried to convince them that I'd like to be with him to improve my English. I wanted to go there because one of my friend was studying in Britain at that time. She told me it is easy to get a scholarship if you applied from the Saudi Embassy in Britain.
Few days later, my other friend told me that we can apply for a scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education, I couldn't believe her until i read that online. I applied (honestly, I was playing because i couldn't believe it is true). On August 08/2005, I opened my e-mail as a boring useless person, i found the e-mail that i keep until now; it says "The Ministry of Higher Education has issued a financial guarantee for Hana Omar. You can start applying for different universities and inform us if you have done any official step".
I ran to my mom and told her. She said, it is not easy like that but try to follow that until we can see if they are serious or not. During two weeks, i got the acceptance for an intensive English course in ELS, Point Park University. I sent my documents to the ministry. Just few days later, they gave me a letter to do my visa from the American Consulate in Jeddah. I got my visa and everything was done. Our culture tries to avoid a girl from being endanger, so my scholarship covers any one of my male relatives. I chose my brother who wanted to study English. My parents were so happy because they could tell my family and people that the government will send Hana and her brother. Also, they were happy because i and my brother will pursuit our education.
Since that time, i believed that nothing is impossible because to be here for me was a miracle.

Welcome to my blog

This blog will be my place to write about my life between two different cultures. I came from Saudi Arabia as a foreign student to the United States.

Long time ago, i decided to write about my journey but i didn't have the best chance to start documenting my journey. I believe this is a good project to encourage me to start writing. I would like to know more about people thoughts and questions.