Sara Garcia was looking for an academic change after becoming a Chemical Engineer at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Manizales. When the opportunity to pursue her master’s degree in materials science at KFUPM arose, Garcia said she jumped at the chance to study in the Middle East.

“I chose KFUPM because it’s the number one university in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East,” she said, adding “It is so nice to be in the country that I have great respect for, and that I’m learning more about every day.”

Knowing that KFUPM excelled in membrane sciences through the direct relationship with industry meant she would focus on applicable research.

“I have so many educational opportunities here at KFUPM,” she said, with professors and scientists bringing direct industry connections with them to the classroom. “We have the best professors in the Middle East, and strong industry partners, such as Saudi Aramco.”

Her professional goals were to transition from chemical engineering to membrane sciences, with an eye to working in the filters and desalination field. And while only a few months into her Master’s, Garcia already has her hopes set to continuing with a KFUPM PhD in membrane sciences, if such a program comes to fruition.

Despite the distance from home, Garcia said she’s been made to feel right at home since arriving in August ’24. “A faculty member from material sciences reached out to me to check on how I am settling in, and it made me feel like I am at home,” she said, adding she has friends now who come from all over the world. These friends are Saudi, Latin American, and everywhere in between, she said. “They are all so friendly and make me feel comfortable here.”

When taking a break from studying, Garcia said she and her friends will meet to enjoy board games over a cup of karak tea, and they always end up finding time to discuss the various cultures and traditions they are discovering in KFUPM’s diverse student body. “I have met people from all over the world with different ideas and traditions,” she said. “We have strengthened the Latino community and we have known beautiful places, we have had new experiences, we have learned about culture.”

And despite admitting that she is a little shy, and the language differences make it even harder to be social, Garcia said everyone she meets are friendly and makes her feel welcome, “so it has been a completely new experience and I learn more every day.”

Garcia said she’s learning about new cultures and traditions through new friends she’s making, and the experiences she is having in the local community.

She said she has been to a local cultural center called Ithra, the Corniche to enjoy the seaside walkway, the beach at Half Moon Bay, the cinema, and has explored Khobar, Dammam, and Dhahran, the three main cities located next to campus. But she admits there’s still so much more to explore both in Saudi Arabia and the region.

“What I like the most is to walk along the Corniche on days that are not so humid.” One more special event that stands out for Garcia was experiencing her first national day in the country. “Everything was so festive and very cheerful at the Saudi National Day celebrations,” she said. “The fireworks were amazing.”

At KFUPM, Sara Garcia has found more than just an academic program, she's discovered a launching pad for her career ambitions in membrane sciences. The university's strong industry connections, particularly in desalination and filtration, align perfectly with her professional goals. While she initially came for her master's degree, the rich academic environment and research opportunities have inspired her to consider pursuing a PhD at KFUPM. "This experience has opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn't even imagined," Garcia reflected. "With the university's industry partnerships and cutting-edge research facilities, I can see myself building a long-term career here in Saudi Arabia, contributing to advancements in membrane technology while being part of this diverse, welcoming community."