Exploring the Experiences of Three Saudi Mothers Returning to Saudi with Their Bilingual Children

Abstract

This qualitative interview study explored the experiences of three Saudi mothers who returned to Saudi Arabia with their bilingual children after living with their children in English speaking countries for educational and academic purposes. Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory is the theory that served as the guiding framework for the study, shaping the direction of the study and informing both the analysis and discussion of the data. The purpose of the study was to gain a deeper understanding of this unique phenomenon and to address a gap in the existing literature since there are very few studies that focus on the post-return experience to Saudi Arabia. The data was collected and analyzed during the spring and summer of 2025 through virtual semi-structured interviews and member checking. Furthermore, the analysis followed the phases and strategies of thematic analysis. Therefore, the findings were organized into three overarching themes with subthemes under each theme. The overarching themes are: (a) Reintegrating into the Saudi Social and Educational Environments, (b) Strategies for Sustaining Bilingualism, and (c) Reflections and Advice on Returning to Saudi Arabia with Bilingual Children. Together, all these themes provide an interpretive discussion of the mothers’ return experiences from social, educational, and family life aspects, while also offering valuable implications for Saudi educational policymakers both inside and outside Saudi Arabia, as well as for Saudi parents and families navigating similar transitions. Finally, the study concludes with recommendations for future research.