Get To Know Brazil Other Events >> Top University Saudi Students Visit Brazil The twenty students who were granted the trip. The Embassy of Saudi Arabia received some very special visitors this month o August. They are the twenty top university students in Saudi Arabia, studying Medical and Engineering majors, who were granted this trip as a reward for their great performance in college by the sovereign of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz. The Embassy offered a dinner reception to the spcial visitors to celebrate and welcome their journey. From left to right, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Khalifa Abdul Rahman Al-Marzouqi, special guest for dinner, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia and responsible for the reception of the delgation, Mr. Abdullah Alowaifeer and explained the Executive Director of Saudi’s Science Club and Supervisor of this international delegation, Mr. Abdulhafeez M. K. Turkustani. More than a gift, the trip has the evident goal of being a special opportunity for the students to gain more tools for their future professional and personal lives. “These are the future leaders of Saudi Arabia”, said Mr. Abdullah Alowaifeer, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia. “This experience will not only put them in contact with Brazilian modern technologies and culture in the area of medicine and engineering, but also broaden their minds. I have no doubt that their impression of Brazil is different, much more positive. And these are interesting times for them to see positive prospects in this country”. Gathered arround the TV, the students waited to see the coverage of their visit to the Congress, at the evening news of TV "Câmara". Receiving the students in Brasília, on August 24th, Mr. Alowaifeer offered a dinner reception to the students at the amazing residence of the Embassy to welcome them and show the hospitality of the Embassy. Before that, the Embassy arranged a tour through some strategic tourism attractions in town and to the National Congress, where they met parliamentarians and saw the administrative routine of the Congress, which will hopefully influence on the minds of those who eventually join the political sectors in their home country. A lovely dinner was served to the visitors. “We usually make this same trip once a year, to different nations. We have taken students to the USA, to Japan and other countries in Asia, Europe, Africa… This year Brazil was chosen for it is the most developed country in South America and our bilateral affairs go very well right now” explained the Executive Director of Saudi’s Science Club and Supervisor of this international delegation, Mr. Abdulhafeez M. K. Turkustani. “This trip has been really positive. We had many worries for the safety of the group due to false and exaggerated information regarding violence and danger in Brazil, but it is a beautiful country with a lovely, warm people. Nonetheless, this is a very interesting moment to create a bridge between the two countries and promote this cultural exchange for new generations. And these gentlemen here will be at decisive positions in the future, so it is very important that they get more knowledge of their fields” he concluded. Mr. Abdulhafeez M. K. Turkustani, Executive Director of Saudi’s Science Club who came with the group to supervise the trip. THE GUIDE interviewed three of these students who were also surprised with Brazil in several ways. Mr. Ayman Sajjad M. Al Hassan, fifth year medical school student, for example, expressed his amazement with the country especially in his field. “Brazil is a lot developed in many things, such as the political structures, but I was impressed with the advanced medical technologies and the professionals in the field. We have learnt a lot in São Paulo and we can still learn a lot in the future”, said Mr. Ayman Sajjad M. Al Hassan. On the fifth year of medical school, Mr. Ayman Sajjad M. Al Hassan told THE GUIDE how impressed he was with the advanced medicine practiced in Brazil. Another medical school student, Mr. Mazem Rasheed M. Alrashidi was even more surprised with the hospitality of the Brazilian people and the modern, well organized aspects of welfare in the country in some areas. “It is a great opportunity in my life because I have learnt a lot here in Brazil. Some of the technologies and administration methods we have seen can certainly be taken to Saudi Arabia in the future. One of my thoughts, now, is to come back in the future and study here to learn more”. Even more impressed, Mr. Mazem Rasheed M. Alrashidi even talks about moving to Brazil in the future, amazed with the beauties of the country and the learning possibilities. THE GUIDE also interviewed an engineering student, Mr. Mohamed Ali M. Al Mutawaa who stated he was really impressed with the country, that seemed more like a continent. “It such a large country! When you visit a country you see similarities among different regions, but in Brazil you see so many differences due to its massive size. We have already been to Foz do Iguaçu, Campinas, São Paulo and Brasília. Now we are going o Manaus and Rio de Janeiro. And its amazing, really different from what I thought. I had a different picture of Brazil in my mind. It is even more beautiful than I had been told and I would certainly recommend other people to come visit. But more than that, we have visited many institutions and seen a lot of my field”. “If only the language was easier”, said Mr. Mohamed Ali M. Al Mutawaa, also impressed with Brazil and happy for having the chance of visiting so many institutions in which they could learn more. Certainly an initiative that deserves appreciation and an example to be followed. These young men will certainly carry this experience for life. “We hope that this experience contributes even more to the relations between Brazil and Saudi Arabia. Imagine the consequences of this in, let’s say, twenty years from now. It makes me really happy because it is part of the job of us diplomats to work on these relations and I am proud to be part of this specific initiative”, stated Mr. Abdullah Alowaifeer. The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdullah Alowaifeer.