A journey that began with a passion for Arabic led to academic growth, cultural discovery and personal transformation, offering a Singaporean perspective on studying and living in Saudi Arabia.
When she arrived in Riyadh in 2019, it marked the culmination of a journey that had begun years earlier. For King Saud University graduate and current Master’s student Hannan Ismail, studying in Saudi Arabia was never a spontaneous decision. It was the result of years of persistence, driven by a passion for the Arabic language and a desire to experience it beyond the classroom.
“My journey towards studying in Saudi Arabia began several years before I arrived in 2019,” she recalls. Having attended a secular school in Singapore before moving to Indonesia for her secondary education, she first developed an interest in Arabic while studying there. “I began learning Arabic and gradually fell in love with the language. I was fascinated by how rich and diverse it was.”
Although she built a strong foundation in grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure, she felt something was missing. Much of her learning remained theoretical, and she longed to use the language naturally in everyday life.
That realisation motivated her to seek opportunities across the Middle East, where she could immerse herself in an Arabicspeaking environment.
After several years of applications, her perseverance paid off when she received a full scholarship to study at King Saud University. Looking back, she sees the experience as much more than an academic opportunity. “What began as a fascination with the Arabic language eventually brought me to Riyadh and became the starting point of a much longer academic journey.”
At King Saud University, she found herself in a rigorous and research-driven academic environment. While many associate Saudi universities primarily with Islamic studies, she is quick to challenge that perception. “Saudi universities offer a wide range of programmes, and many international students pursue non-Islamic fields,” she explains, highlighting the strong programmes in science, engineering, medicine, computer science and business administration.
As a student of Islamic Jurisprudence, she discovered that the discipline extended far beyond classical texts. Modern research often intersects with fields such as medicine, finance, cybersecurity and technology, requiring students to understand contemporary issues alongside traditional
scholarship. “This interdisciplinary approach has taught me that studying Islamic Jurisprudence is not only about examining questions from the past, but also about understanding how Islamic legal principles can engage with new and evolving realities.”
Beyond academics, she credits Saudi Arabia’s support systems for helping international students thrive. Scholarship recipients benefit from tuition coverage, accommodation, healthcare and monthly stipends, while the university provides extensive academic and personal support. One aspect she particularly values is the sense of safety.
“I have generally felt very safe throughout my years in Riyadh. There have been occasions when I have walked alone past midnight without feeling fearful for my personal safety,” she says.
Through social media, she shares her experiences to help other Singaporeans understand what student life in Saudi Arabia is really like. Many of the questions she receives relate to scholarships, Arabic language requirements and everyday life. She enjoys offering a balanced perspective, sharing not just academic achievements but also experiences beyond the classroom.
During her time in Saudi Arabia, she has participated in student initiatives, represented her university in badminton, and volunteered at major international sporting events. She also shares snippets of her daily life, including fitness and gym routines, highlighting opportunities available to women in the Kingdom.
For Singaporeans considering studying in Saudi Arabia, her advice is simple: focus on finding a field that genuinely interests you and make the most of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
“A scholarship may open the door, but how you make use of the experience will shape what you gain from the journey.”
For her, that journey began with a love for a language. Today, it has become a story of academic growth, cultural discovery and personal transformation in the heart of Saudi Arabia.
Source: IN Diplomacy Reporter
