2024 Pre-Departure Orientation and Arrival Orientations

10/7/2024

On July 23rd through July 25th, 2024, the KGSP welcomed the 96 students of Cohort 16 to the Program during a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO). The Program’s sixteenth cohort had the opportunity to connect with each other, 10 KAUST staff faculty, 14 alumni, and a few current students, through various events that prepared them for the transition to undergraduate studies and their personal and professional development in the United States. The virtual orientation event was designed to guide students to look to the future and equip them with tools necessary to successfully navigate their undergraduate journeys. Following PDO, students set out for the US where they were greeted by KGSP Advisors who conducted Arrival Orientations to better support the new cohort with acclimation. The PDO and Arrival Orientations are examples of experiences provided to KGSP students that lay the foundations for their successful completion of academic goals and their contribution to the advancement of Saudi Arabia.

Suzana Nunes

Image 1: Professor Suzana Nunes, Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs.

At Pre-Departure Orientation kick-off, students received welcome remarks from Professor Suzana Nunes, Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs at KAUST, who spoke about the exciting opportunities awaiting Cohort 16. The opening remarks also included a tribute from KGSP Cohort 10 alumna Farah Gomawi to the legacy and impact of the late Dr. Najah Ashry, founder and long-time leader of the Program. On day two of the event, students heard from Ambassador Michael Ratney, US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as he congratulated Cohort 16 on their achievements, encouraged them to prepare for their undergraduate experiences in the United States, offered advice on how to serve as informal ambassadors of their country, and to take advantage of the cultural and educational opportunities offered by travel and study within the US.

Ambassador Michael Ratney

Image 2: Amb. Michael Ratney, United Stated Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Over the course of the three-day event, students tuned into informative discussions and seminars that capped their onboarding experience before travel to the US Sessions highlighted the expectations of KGSP students and their responsibilities and introduced students to the multitude of resources and opportunities available to them in the Program, including advising and mentorship, enrichment and professional development assistance, and wellbeing support. The PDO also included presentations from KAUST faculty members and researchers who participated in research breakout sessions where students learned about various research initiatives and programs at the University. Faculty answered questions about their degree programs and provided Cohort 16 with insight into what studies and research at renowned facilities on KAUST’s campus could look like.

Zainab Alalawi KSIP Showcase

Image 3: Zainab Alalawi, junior at Boston University majoring in Biomedical Engineering, presenting to Cohort 16 students during the KSIP Research Showcase.

Three current KGSP students who participated in the KAUST Summer Internship Program (KSIP) this past summer also presented their research at the KSIP Research Showcase. The showcase provided Cohort 16 with the opportunity to interact and network with current students and learn about exciting graduate-level research opportunities at KAUST available to KGSP students.

Following the day three welcome remarks from KGSP Cohort 1 Alumna, Dr. Yasmeen Najm, KGSP Alumni participated in the Reflections from Alumni panel, where former students shared experiences and stories from their time in the Program and discussed their current career tracks. The panel further facilitated networking opportunities during the event as Cohort 16 directly interacted with KGSP Alumni and were able to ask questions and gain insight into the potential opportunities and success that await them within and beyond the KGSP.

Cohort 16 AO

Image 4: Cohort 16 students hear from KGSP Placement Advisor Troy Etter at Arrival Orientations.

Upon arrival to the US following the PDO, new students were greeted by KGSP Advisors at airports across the country. Students spend the first few days in the US getting situated and acclimated to their university communities and participating in Arrival Orientations led by KGSP Advisors. Arrival Orientations prepare students for the successful transition to Undergraduate and Foundation Year studies. Foundation Year orientations prepared students for what to expect during the university application process including standardized tests, application deadlines, and the general expectations of their FY institutions. Undergraduate students received advice on the academic expectations of both their respective universities and the KGSP, and received tips on the tools and resources available within the program to achieve their goals.

The PDO and Arrival Orientations represent the beginning of Cohort 16’s academic and personal journeys with the KGSP. Support from KGSP Advisors, KAUST faculty, and a supportive and collaborative student and alumni community will lay the foundation for their success in and beyond the Program. As students of Cohort 16 settle in their respective universities and begin studies, the KGSP looks forward to their growth and contributions to their academic institutions, and to the advancement of Saudi Arabia.