Ahmed Saad wants to spread knowledge about Middle Eastern culture and teach the Arabic language at the University of Charleston this year.
There’s just one problem: He’s stuck in Egypt.
Saad, 25, is UC’s second Fulbright scholar in as many years to come teach beginning Arabic and an international cultures class.
He was due to arrive in the United States this past Wednesday, but complications obtaining his visa have caused a set back in plans.
Now the graduate student might have to wait until Sept. 5 to get into the classroom both as a teacher and as a student. UC’s first day for freshmen is on Aug. 22 and all others begin on the 24th.
“There has been a hold up of an administrative process, but it’s just a matter of time. The Fulbright coordinator was optimistic that he would get his visa, it’ll just take a little longer,” said UC Provost Letha Zook.
Other than teaching the basics of Arabic, Saad’s native tongue, the linguistics graduate student will also be introducing his pupils to the arts and religion of the Middle East in the international cultures class.
It is a requirement of the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program to take at least two classes per semester, which will help Saad on his way to completing his graduate studies in linguistics and make headway on his ultimate goal of earning a Ph.D.
But, of course, all that will be difficult until he is able to make his first trip to the U.S.
Audrey Pitonak-Goff, UC’s director of International Programs, says that the U.S. Embassy can be unpredictable when it comes to if and when a visa is granted.
“The Embassy is such that you can walk in and have them say ‘oh, by the way, your visa has been approved,’ ” Pitonak-Goff said.
This has been one of the most difficult years for foreign students to gain a visa, which gives permission to cross boarders and lists the reasons why, according to Pitonak-Goff.
Earlier this year, six or seven potential UC students from Nepal were denied their visas and thus their chances at attending the university.