When Ghaida Aldhahri was matched with KGSP alumna Maria Alkurdi through the Alumni Mentorship Program (AMP) in 2023, neither of them could have predicted just how far that connection would reach. AMP pairs current KGSP students with alumni mentors, creating a bridge between the program’s newest students and those who have navigated the path that extends beyond graduation. Three years after their experience together in AMP, the two of them are poised to reunite on the KAUST campus. 

“Having a mentor who had already gone through a similar journey made studying abroad feel much less overwhelming,” says Ghaida. “Maria supported me academically, professionally, and personally. It honestly felt like having an older sibling who understood the challenges of adjusting to a new environment. There was an immediate sense of familiarity, which made her advice feel very genuine and relatable.”  

Because Maria was already back home in Saudi Arabia after completing her undergraduate studies in 2021, she could offer Ghaida a clearer picture of what lay ahead, sharing insights into the opportunities that may lay ahead. 

“Through AMP, I became more confident in seeking opportunities, asking questions, and thinking more intentionally about my academic and career goals,” says Ghaida.  

Maria shared that same feeling of connection when she reflected on her time as a mentor. “Our conversations became more meaningful each time we spoke, and naturally, rapport developed,” says Maria. “I think experiences like this show how mentorship can extend far beyond a single experience and become a lasting support system.” 

That proved to be truer than either of them expected. Even after AMP had formally concluded, Maria and Ghaida were coincidentally paired together again through a separate KGSP initiative, with Maria assigned as a KAUST Transition guide for Ghaida as she begins her first year at KAUST this fall. 

“Returning to KAUST can feel overwhelming at first, especially with the demands of graduate school and the close-knit, relatively remote environment,” Maria reflects. “I hope having a familiar face and someone she already felt comfortable with will make her return feel more welcoming and less overwhelming.” 

One of the most valuable aspects of the KGSP is being a member of the community of scholars, and the relationships that are fostered with it. This is most clearly seen in mentorship initiatives like these, where students are given the opportunity to invest in those relationships form an early stage. 

For KGSP alumni and students alike, mentorship programs like AMP are one of the best places to start building those relationships. Applications for the upcoming AMP cycle open this summer, and both alumni and rising sophomores are encouraged to watch their inboxes for the application launch and are invited to read more about this opportunity in our previous article featuring AMP participants.