Journal of Foreign Languages, Cultures & Civilizations

What it Looks Like to be in a Mixed Gender Society: the Essence of Transitioning Experience from Gender Segregated Environment to Mixed Gender Environment
Dr. Ahmed Ali Alhazmi

Abstract
This paper draw of a large project concerning of the educational and social experience encountered by Saudi international students while they are studying in a mixed gender environments in Australia. The paper discusses how the experience of transitioning from absolute gender segregated society to absolute mixed gender society appears to Saudi students. It reports on a phenomenological investigation of that phenomenon. Conclusions are drawn on how such an experience may contribute to the transformation of Saudi Society, economically, politically and culturally. The specific focus of the paper show the students see the phenomenon of transitioning from a segregated gender environment to a mixed gender environment and implication this might have for policy makers and educational providers. To facilitate this aim, the paper addresses the following questions: what does the transitioning experience from a segregated to a mixedgender environment look like for Saudi students in Australia? How could this experience be improved? A phenomenological approach, influenced by a qualitative paradigm in social science research, was developed to allow the participants to describe their encountered experiences. Significant indications were found to support the research assumption that dialogical and dialectical influences occur between international students’ cultural identity and the formation of the cross-cultural transitioning experience. This research has implications for both KSA and host countries about the management of the KASP, pre-departure preparation, and host countries arrangements for diverse student groups.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jflcc.v3n1a7