Salman Al Qahtani

Hometown: Taif, Saudi Arabia

High School: Thaqeef High School, Taif

Major: Academic English Studies/Computer Science

Salman came to Lewis & Clark College on a scholarship provided by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in Washington, D.C. He requested placement on the West Coast because many Saudi citizens described the Pacific Northwest as a welcoming environment for international students. Salman first entered Lewis & Clark's Academic English Studies (AES) program to improve his English. He has now completed that program and is majoring in computer science at Lewis & Clark.

Salman left his parents, sister and two of his three brothers in Taif (his older brother is studying chemical engineering in the UK) and traveled to Portland for the first time in January of 2006. His concerns about safety and discrimination melted away when he arrived on the Lewis & Clark College campus. "My first roommate, Max, was such a great guy. He was very kind to me and he was very interested in learning about my family, my country, my culture and my religion. We did lots of things together on campus, like playing basketball and studying."

Salman has also met other friends--both US and international--at Lewis & Clark. "One of my best friends during my first semester was an exchange student from Japan. She really helped me improve my English because she was in the undergraduate program." Salman knew very little about Japan, but his Japanese friend introduced him to Japanese culture. "I learned a little Japanese from her and I really want to study Japanese language when I begin undergraduate studies. I also want to study in Japan on Lewis & Clark's overseas program to Japan."

Salman feels much more comfortable in the US than he imagined. "I wasn't sure that I would be welcomed in the US because of my ethnic background. But, I have found Americans to be very kind, helpful and welcoming. I've never had any problems and I was quickly able to make some very good friendships with Americans."

Salman has also been pleased with Lewis & Clark. He is proud that he was selected to study on this campus. "Many of my Middle Eastern friends at other schools tell me how lucky I am to be at Lewis & Clark. I couldn't agree more."

What kinds of high schools do they attend?

Fifty-two percent of Lewis & Clark's international undergraduates study in indigenous secondary schools in their home countries. Thirty-two percent of the students study in international schools with US/international curricula. Thirteen percent study in US high schools or colleges before coming to Lewis & Clark.

Learn More!

Academic English Studies (AES)

Japanese Language

Overseas Study in Japan

Computer Science

Meet Another Lewis & Clark Student!

Ramy Srour from Rome, Italy!