Rahaf, a 24-year old Saudi Arabian English graduate at San Francisco State, sits in the library creating a detailed short story, homework for her English learning class. She’s wearing a traditional brown and white, loose-fitting, Saudi Arabian abaya to cover her body in the public setting. Rahaf is nearing the end of her student visa and time in the United States.

“For me, I hope to find an exception from my university that will extend my stay. If they don’t find an exception, I will lose my job, have to go home, and it will be too much stress.” Rahaf said.

Rahaf first moved to Berkeley two years ago on a scholarship that gave her more than just an education. It gave her a glimpse at life outside the Middle East. The biggest change for Rahaf was accepting her new life without restrictions, without permissions, without limitations.

“In my country they would say, ‘Really? You’re going there, alone? I don’t think so,’ but now I can go wherever I want, whenever I want, and that is beautiful.”

When Jamilah, Rahaf’s mother found out she was moving to America, California no less, the home of hippies and movie stars, she was not happy. A mother sending her child off to college is a difficult task, but add on the pressure of sending the child to another country and you’ll get an emotional meltdown. Out of the all the weekly phone calls over the last two years, Rahaf doesn’t remember a single one without her mother worrying, panicking, or trying to convince her to come home.

“She’ll call me and I try to explain to her that I’m comfortable. I’m okay here.”

Rahaf’s father, on the other hand was completely welcoming of this new opportunity. He encouraged her to take this chance and move to America. When she first came here, she barely spoke English. Her father stayed with her for three months until she learned how to speak and live on her own.

Upon first arriving in America, Rahaf surrounded herself with Saudi Arabian friends because they reminded her of what it was like at home. However, now she makes sure not to hang out with them, because she wants to enjoy her time left submerged in American culture. She wants to avoid moving back, in order to avoid a yet another culture-shock.

“Independence. It’s difficult.”