I want to share my education story hoping to get an answer, I’ve reached the point where all hope doors are closed.
It started when my father decided to move our family to Saudi Arabia while my uncle moved to the United States 29 years ago.
I entered school when i was 6 years old, Graduated from Primary school with 94%.
Then my father became friends with that clerk (Shiekh), My father decided that i go to an Islamic middle school then same school during High School.
I graduated from High School with 95.45% although i never want to enter that school and i never liked it.
As you can see below, these are the subjects that they taught us:
YES, Totally screwed !
No Math, No Chemistry, No Physics during High School ! And mostly Islamic subjects…
The only subjects i really liked are English and Geography as i’m very passionate for Nature science.
Add to that my citizenship is Yemen, extremely rare to get scholarships or Aid in English Speaking countries !
My age is 29 now, That is another ( insert a bad word ). I got into a very severe depression 3 years ago and it’s getting worse by time passing.
My question is, Is there any hope for me ? i tried to apply for many scholarships and i contacted many companies hoping to get sponsorship to study Diploma or even Certificate but no luck so far.
I’m getting more depressed when i think of me getting close to age 30 … I don’t know what to do.
Why does the school have to be in an English speaking country? Since you’ve been living in KSA since 6yo & have been attending Islamic schools, I assume you are fluent in Arabic.
@GMTplus7 i tried European colleges but so far no luck getting scholarship, Arab countries education is poor and i don’t want to study Islamic subjects at all. I’m a native Arabic speaker and my english is good ( IELTS 6 ).
I’m hoping to study in an English speaking nation.
I forgot to mention that Saudi Arabia Law doesn’t allow Non-Saudi citizens to study in any Saudi Uni/College.
Without the prerequisite HS courses and without any significant talents/achievements, you are unrealistic thinking you will will get an all-expenses-paid scholarship to any foreign university.
There are university opportunities out there for you, but they won’t be free.
@GMTplus7 That’s why i asked “Is there a Hope for me?”
i checked with Austrialian, New Zealand institutes and 7 institutes said i’m eligibile to study up to diploma without prerequisite courses IF i pay the tuitions. I’m not after a Degree but short courses to diploma.
You need to find a university, such as in Tunisia, where you can use your Arabic and where cost of living is low. If necessary, look for a program that would get you through a high school program (it’s called baccalaureat in Tunisia.) some for returning learners - it has to exist in the country. Study English as well as another language. Get high grades and establish your credentials as a scholar.
Then doors will open.
@thumper1 People in my situation work in retail, here and there in the lowest paying jobs such as stores, supermarkets, stations and all jobs that don’t require skills.
I my self been working like in retail stores since 2006 and two years ago i’ve been running my own online retail store but i closed it since Non-Saudis have very limited rights, The store was the second most popular in it’s category in Saudi Arabia.
I’m a Yemeni citizen.
Have your papers been confiscated or do you have them? Are you allowed to go abroad/travel? Do you have a passport?
Yemeni’s situation in Saudi Arabia is similar to segregation in the 1950s, so your first order of priority should be to find a country that won’t mistreat you thus.
Obviously you cant return to Yemen since it’s being bombed to ruins.
Tunisia or Lebanon may be your best bets. UAE might be a closer solution but not sure you’d be “free”. Look for countries with strong adult education, continuing education, etc. You need to get a "real"HS diploma. A possibility would be to investigate online IGCSE’s. You’d need to earn 8 - you can take some subjects you already know, like English, Geography, History, and even Ethics through Islam (it’d probably be a very interesting subject for you actually, as Islam is seen as a subject, and not a dogma, a matter of knowledge to be discussed not a truth to be believed) and catch up on science: core math + core science + ICT + statistics would cover the basics in STEM fields. IGCSE’s are considred sufficient for some universities, but most require 3 A-Levels afterwards (or AICE).
Could your uncle use his connections and help you find an au pair job or something? To live with a family and watch their children during the day, take community college classes at night?
^^ We actually did have an au pair whom we helped to attend community college. We urged her to apply to the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery, and she actually got chosen! We were her sponsors when she immigrated. She lived w us for a year while we helped her get on her feet and become independent.
Make an appointment with the office closest to where you live, and talk with the counselors there. They are the experts on navigating this process. They will have ideas for you.
@MYOS1634 Thank you so much for your reply !
i have my papers, Passport and nothing is missing or being held. I can travel anytime.
You are right about the situation in Saudi Arabia for Yemenis, I’ve been here for 24 Years and i have no privileges, I’m just like any Yemeni who just entered Saudi Arabia.
If i could move out it will never be to another Arab country.
3 Universities suggested that i study a Foundation year, It’s a Year before i can enrol for a degree.
And Yes i’m a man. My uncle is a US citizen but i checked on google if relatives like uncles can help, unfortunately only close relatives like Father or Brother can help. Uncles are considered far relatives in the US law.
i REALLY appreciate your help, It means alot.
@momcinco , Thank you very much. I really appreciate the encouragement.
@mommdc , I haven’t talked to my uncle in like 15 years, Plus, i’m a guy so i don’t think i’m qualified for kids care.