Jul 29, 2025

Unlocking New Growth in One Semester Abroad

Before stepping foot on the KFUPM campus, Mateo Caro Cañas had one goal in mind: to stretch beyond the familiar and immerse himself in both academic knowledge and cultural discovery. A native of Barranquilla, Colombia, and an electrical engineering student at Universidad Nacional de Colombia, he saw his exchange semester in Saudi Arabia as a rare chance to merge both.

Mateo had researched KFUPM well before applying. Its strong reputation for renewable energy research and deep connections with industry had stood out. “I was aware of KFUPM’s close ties with the industry and how this reflects on their coursework, so it was a huge factor for me,” he said. That alignment with his interests convinced him to make the leap.

Still, arrival came with its own set of hurdles. The academic pace, the new time zone, and the cultural shift created a fast-moving wave he had to learn to ride. What helped most was the structure and responsiveness of KFUPM’s Office of International Cooperation. The team assisted him from the moment he submitted his application to his first steps on campus. They offered logistical support, walked him through administrative tasks, and checked in regularly to ensure things were going well.

Inside the classroom, Mateo found what he had hoped for. Courses led by faculty involved in advanced research allowed him to engage deeply with renewable energy topics. Discussions extended beyond theory and into practical challenges and innovations, precisely the kind of education he had been seeking.

Outside of class, he absorbed a culture that had always intrigued him. He explored traditions and built friendships that helped him see Saudi Arabia from the inside, as a fully immersed participant. “This experience has inspired me to seek further international academic and cultural opportunities,” he reflected.

As his semester came to a close, Mateo carried both academic credits and a renewed sense of purpose back to Bogotá. He hopes to revisit Saudi Arabia in the future, to maintain his connection with a country that welcomed him as a student and treated him as part of a larger story.

For those considering the Inbound Student Exchange Program at KFUPM, Mateo encourages an open mindset and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. He believes that stepping outside one's comfort zone, both academically and socially, could lead to growth in ways that traditional classrooms rarely allow.