Portland State Magazine Spring 2013

20 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE SPRING 2013 we wear. When I dress like this, people react to me as a person, not as a woman,” Lingga says. Some Saudi women at PSU wear extremely conservative clothing that covers most of their face and body. “They are not hiding,” says Lingga. “They tell me they feel comfortable here. They can enjoy American life and still keep their customs and cultural dress.” AlHamidi agrees that Portland is a welcoming place to be a Saudi woman. “I really like the people here, how friendly they are. I feel that I am not judged on my culture or religion or dress.” Now 22, she arrived five years ago from Riyadh with her parents, one brother, and two sisters, so that she and her siblings could study in the United States. “I have been visiting here since I was 9, and I know and like this culture,” says AlHamidi. “Here, people respect your time. Even if it’s the dean, he’s on time when you meet with him. That’s a very good thing. “Another difference between here and Saudi Arabia is that people respect younger children, like my little sister. They ask her what she needs. Back home, people ask the parents what the child needs. I think this way is good for children.” After graduating this spring with a double major in human resources and leadership/management, AlHamidi is looking forward to building her career in Saudi Arabia. “I will miss the creativity of the United States, but I miss my friends so much!” She hopes to work in human resources for a corporation and eventually open her own business, perhaps a cafe. “In Saudi Arabia, cafes are split into two sections: one just for men and the other for families, including husbands,” says AlHamidi. “I think women are more comfortable around other women, so my café would be just for women.” Lingga has earned a graduate degree in conflict resolution and has applied to Portland State’s doctoral program in sociology. She plans to stay in the U.S. for now, furthering her education and supporting young Saudi women who are a world away from home, but determined to be successful—women like Alfaraj, who says, “I’ve learned from this that challenges come for everyone. It was so hard at first, but now it gets better and better, and I know I can handle it and graduate.” Meg DesCamp, a Portland freelance writer, contributed the story “Is Portland Really Portlandia?” in the Winter 2013 Portland State Magazine. Left to right: Students Dina Lingga, Mashaer Alfaraj and Rawan Altaweel find support in the Middle East Studies advisors office.