Six Texas Southern University students visited Prairie View A&M University to share the importance and significance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.
The Texas Southern students arrived dressed in traditional clothing as a reflection of their country. The Saudi Arabian and Kuwaiti students hosted interactive workshops sharing their cultural beliefs and customs with Prairie View students.
Prairie View students, faculty and stuff were educated on their traditions, values, the misconceptions of Middle Eastern culture, and how their culture differs from American culture. Ali Alghanem, a Saudi Arabian accounting major at Texas Southern University his experiences.
Alghanem said, “It is often difficult to conform to American customs. The food is much different. In Saudi Arabia we’re used to eating a lot of things such as rice. In America, you have restaurants such as Subway and it’s really good. In Saudi Arabia I had a lot of time to hang out with my friends and have fun, but in America time is money. Everything is so fast.”
Ahmed Alsinan Saudi Arabian marketing major at Texas Southern also shared the differences in American and Middle Eastern culture. He has been living in America for five years and enjoys every day here.
Alsinan said, “There is a lot more freedom here in America, such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms and freedom to vote. In Saudi Arabia we are governed by culture and religion. As my colleague said, things in America move so quickly. One thing is one way today and can be completely changed the next day. It’s also easier to do certain things here in America such as own a business and be an entrepreneur.”