Coming from the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, Alaradi has been at Central Michigan University for almost two years, working towards his Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating from a school in his home country with a degree in industrial engineering and design, Alaradi decided to go to CMU on scholarship and further his education and career.

Many international students that transfer to CMU run into challenges. Language proficiency and social support were two of their toughest issues.

“Many students will seek support from fellow transfer students,” said Assistant Professor and Counselor Chun-Fang Frank Kuo. “There are many student organizations that offer support as well as actual support groups for students that the counseling center offers every semester. Central also has the English Language Institute for students that need to improve their English.”

Alaradi isn’t part of any special organizations but he participates in an intramural sports league, where he competes with other amateur teams in sports such as soccer. He also enjoys going to the Student Activity Center, cooking with his friends and going to downtown Mount Pleasant with friends to check out car shows in the summer.

Along with hobbies, studying also plays a major part in his life as he tries to balance between friends, sports and exams. Back in Saudi, he said the major courses were more based on labs where hands on skills were most important. Here, Alaradi said, students have to learn the basics and go through required courses.

“Many Saudi students that transfer to Central must take English language classes to become proficient,” said Tracy Nakajima, Director of International Student and Scholar Services.“After they do that, students move on to the academics and start toward whatever degree they want to pursue.”

There are three choices for Saudi students to choose from when deciding to further their education: use their own money, get a government job and be on scholarship through them or work for a company and become a delegate and go to school.

Alaradi started out as a company delegate and then got a job with the government. His dream job, he said is to work for Ford Automotive Industries as a designer.

“Although we do help a lot with getting students acquainted and providing cultural advising,” Nakajima said. “It takes a university to educate a student and I believe the campus really embraces every single student.”

While Alaradi has been working very hard on his education, he said he makes sure he has time for recreation. He loves to travel and has been all over the state including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Dearborn, Lansing and Muskegon. He also enjoys just spending time with his friends, camping and going on picnics.

“I have a code of life that I follow daily,” Alaradi said. “To make a lot of friends, be kind. Our attitudes towards others are their attitudes towards us. A smile and a greeting goes a long way and I believe it’s the key in being happy and making new friends wherever you are.”