Bandar Aldhahri, Saudi BS Justice & Public Policy Student The Concordia International Center (CIC) celebrated Saudi National Day from September 23 – 29, 2020 with socially distanced tables of information, new snacks every day, and a little something special….
Concordia University Wisconsin currently has 9 Saudi Arabian students on campus, and has had over 500 Saudis since the inception of the Saudi student sponsorship program in 2011. One current Saudi student, Bandar Aldhahri, has been making an impact not only in his classroom, but in the hearts and stomachs of the campus community!
Bandar is in his first year of BS Justice & Public Policy program here at CUW after improving his English skills at the ESL program, which is currently on hiatus. His wife, May, is in her last term here at CUW studying MS – Rehabilitation Science. She starts her PhD of Rehabilitation Science at Marquette next semester. May is also the CIC’s Graduate Assistant, and both are consistent friendly faces with willing hearts and hands.
Obviously, May and Bandar went above and beyond when it came to celebrating Saudi National week. But it was still surprising to learn that Bandar’s generosity reached a new level! Bandar’s family had mailed him dates from their family farm in Saudi Arabia and they now graced the tables in the CIC.
Bandar shared a bit more about his family, their farm, and his experience:
His family can trace their history since before the unification of Saudi Arabia in 1932. He comes from a Bedouin tribe, “which means they move[d] from place to place instead of settling permanently, and they travel[ed] within a specific area as they [sought] water and grazing land for their herds.” In 1930, his family decided to grow roots. His, “tribe decided to settle permanently in Albrod in Al-Qassim region.”
And what an impressive settled farm it has become! “It has more than 2500 [date palm] trees and 15 types of dates. We grow wheat and clover beside[s] the dates. Al-Qassim has more than 8 million palms of dates.”
Bandar remembers fondly helping on the farm in much the same way a Wisconsinite might, but with some small differences. “I used to work in my family until I graduated from high school. My work was [to] shepherd camels and sheep. I used to walk for many miles to find grazing land, which I like[d].”
Concordia University Wisconsin currently has 9 Saudi Arabian students on campus, and has had over 500 Saudis since the inception of the Saudi student sponsorship program in 2011. One current Saudi student, Bandar Aldhahri, has been making an impact not only in his classroom, but in the hearts and stomachs of the campus community!
Bandar and May not only brought themselves when they traveled to Concordia University Wisconsin to pursue their degrees, they also brought their history, family, culture, language, family, and food! International students bring a wealth of cultural information and new experiences from countries across the globe when they join the Concordia family.
Upcoming International Center Events
The Concordia International Center will continue showcasing events and celebrations through out the semester in the Katharine hallway. In addition to Saudi National Day, we have had Mid-Autumn Festival, Hispanic Heritage Month, Nigeria National Day, Hangeul Day, Study Abroad Week, Austria National Day, and German Culture week. Current students have been eager to help with the events, creating posters, crafts, and snacks to celebrate their heritage. The Concordia International Center YouTube channel features videos of several students speaking about their traditions and how they would celebrate at home. As you might have guessed, Bandar volunteered to share his traditions in our first video of the series!
—
If this story has inspired you, why not explore how you can help further Concordia's mission through giving.