Checkout the Life of Indian Students in Saudi Arabia....
Apr 01, 2025 05:55:27
International Indian Schools: Most Indian students go to schools affiliated with CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education). There are well-established Indian International Schools in major cities – like International Indian School Riyadh (IISR), Jeddah, Dammam, etc.
Curriculum & Environment: The schooling system is similar to India, with Hindi, English, Science, Math, etc., and they follow Indian cultural and academic norms. It’s like a little India inside Saudi.
University-level Students: There are fewer Indian students in Saudi universities, but some do pursue higher education there, often in science, engineering, or Islamic studies. Many prefer to study abroad (like in India, US, or UK) after school.
Conservative Society: Saudi Arabia has a strict interpretation of Islamic law, so things like dress codes, gender segregation, and public behavior are more controlled. Indian students (especially teens) might find the rules a bit restrictive, especially if they're used to more freedom.
Community Life: There’s a large Indian expat community, so most students have plenty of Indian friends and community events. Festivals like Diwali or Eid are celebrated within the Indian communities (though more privately).
Language: Arabic is the national language, but in schools and among Indian circles, English and Hindi are commonly used. Students often pick up some Arabic, too.
Limited Entertainment: Until recently, Saudi didn’t have cinemas or public concerts, but things are opening up under Vision 2030 reforms. Still, social life is more family/community-based.
Gender Interaction: Boys and girls generally have limited interaction, especially in public or school settings. Co-ed schools are rare.
Online World: Many Indian students spend a lot of time online — gaming, social media, YouTube, etc. It's their main way of staying connected with global trends.
Cultural Adjustment: It can be hard for some kids, especially those who move from India in their teenage years, to adjust to the rules and limitations.
Traveling Home: Going back to India for vacations is common, but expensive for some families.
Future Planning: Many Indian students in Saudi plan to leave the country after finishing school, as long-term residency is limited and citizenship is not granted to expats.
Safe, structured environment
Strong education system (if in good schools)
Sense of community among Indians
Exposure to multicultural settings
Limited freedom and entertainment
Strict social and cultural rules
Difficult to settle long-term
Low Crime Rates:
Violent crime is rare, especially in major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. There are strict laws and a strong police presence, which keeps crime low.
Secure School Environments:
International schools (like Indian International Schools) are usually in gated areas with proper security, and students are well taken care of.
Community Support:
The Indian community is large and close-knit. People often help each other, especially in family or student circles.
Strict Laws (Good & Bad):
The legal system is very strict. While this helps reduce crime, it also means you really have to follow local rules— even minor things can have serious consequences.
Cultural Missteps:
Saudi Arabia has conservative social norms. Things like public displays of affection, speaking out loudly about politics or religion, or dressing immodestly can get you into trouble.
→ Tip: Just be respectful of local customs, and you’ll be fine.
Gender Rules:
For female students, there used to be more restrictions, but things are changing. Girls now have more freedom to study, drive, and go out—but still, it’s a good idea to move in groups and be mindful of the setting.
Online Behavior:
Even posts on social media that criticize the government or religion can cause problems. It's best to keep a low profile online while living there.
Emergency Services:
While cities are well-equipped, smaller towns may have fewer facilities. Still, for most Indian families in big cities, medical and emergency help is accessible.
Category |
Safe? |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Personal Safety |
Low crime, secure areas |
|
|
Schools |
Well-regulated, Indian curriculum |
|
|
Public Transport |
Limited options—most families use private cars |
|
|
Internet & Speech |
Be cautious, avoid political/religious topics |
|
|
Gender Equality |
/ |
Improving, but still conservative |
Over 80,000 to 100,000 Indian students are studying in Saudi Arabia — mostly in school-level education, not higher education.
Indian International Schools (CBSE-affiliated):
These schools are spread across major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Al Khobar, Jubail, Taif, Medina, and others.
There are about 10+ large Indian International Schools under the patronage of the Indian Embassy.
Some of the biggest ones include:
International Indian School, Riyadh (IISR) – ~10,000+ students
IIS Jeddah – ~10,000+ students
IIS Dammam – ~9,000+ students
Other Private/International Schools:
Some Indian students also attend British, American, or IB-curriculum schools if their parents prefer international exposure.
Higher Education:
The number of Indian students in Saudi universities is much smaller—likely in the hundreds to low thousands.
Some go to King Saud University, KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology), or Islamic universities.
However, many Indian students prefer to pursue college in India, the UAE, USA, UK, etc.
Saudi Arabia hosts over 2.5 million Indian expatriates, making it one of the largest Indian expat populations anywhere.
Families working in healthcare, construction, IT, engineering, and education often bring their kids and enroll them in Indian schools.
Affordable Accommodation Facilities in Saudi Arabia for Indian Students
