A qualitative study of evacuating Saudi Arabian students from the United Kingdom during COVID-19

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent evacuation of Saudi Arabian students attending British schools, with a focus on their academic motivation, support structures, and health and well-being. In particular, the study explores the students’ subjective experiences, perspectives, and attitudes toward the evacuation process during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative research design was used to explore and understand the experiences of people in their natural settings. The study utilized snowball sampling that recruited seven participants who share the experience of being Saudi Arabian citizens studying in the UK who were evacuated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study obtained official approval from Liverpool John Moores University’s ethics committee before the researcher started data collection. A record of oral consent, participant recruitment email and participant information sheet were used to assure the participants that their participation was voluntary and needed only for purposes of academic research. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to examine the data for the purpose of identifying common themes that include ideas, topics, and patterns of meanings that come up repeatedly. The study found that all the respondents were subject to emotional and negative hardship, suffered feelings of isolation and loneliness as well as travel restrictions because of the pandemic. They were happy with the support provided by the Saudi government throughout the evacuation process and revealed great appreciation and gratitude for the substantial care provided by authorities. The study concluded with recommendations to researchers, policymakers and higher education institutions in how to respond to and handle future potential pandemics and evacuations.