The development plan in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Saudi society includes accepting female students and affording them the opportunity to study abroad under the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP). In 2005, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, of Saudi Arabia, and President George W. Bush, of the United States, agreed to increase the number of students from Saudi Arabia studying in the United States. KASP is the product of this agreement and is considered the third largest scholarship in the world after programs in India and China and the largest in Saudi Arabia's history. This study examined the impact of KASP on Saudi female college student empowerment, self-efficacy improvement, quality of life, as well as globalization and cross-cultural understanding and identification. In addition, this research determined whether Saudi female students studying in the United States who participated in KASP were better equipped to find future employment upon returning to Saudi Arabia. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to measure self-efficacy, quality of life, as well as empowerment and cross-cultural understanding and identification among KASP female students who studied in the United States and Saudi students who studied in Saudi Arabia. Statistical analyses of these data show the positive impact of KASP program. Approximately twenty percent of the respondents in the current research concentrated in the information systems and marketing business fields. Additionally, there was an increase in students who planned to enter health related career fields--16.5% in either nutrition, epidemiology, or dentistry. More specifically, the research data revealed that 12.5% of the Saudi female students were enrolled in a computer science program. In addition, improving self-efficacy was a clear outcome fostered by KASP participation. In fact, the intercultural competence that the KASP female students gained improved self-efficacy. Concerning the expansion of cultural understanding, the results showed that KASP students identified with American and Saudi cultures. Thus, proving that KASP participation effectively bridged gaps and fostered international identification compared to Saudi students who studied only in Saudi Arabia. Although positive social changes have already taken place in Saudi Arabia, given the tremendous challenges faced by the Saudi women in the KASP, it is not surprising that they share a similar quality of life to their peers in Saudi Arabia. While their quality of life may not be improved, the advantages of an overseas education far outweigh any negative effects.. Findings of the present study also revealed religious intolerance was the most pronounced challenge. Some of the challenges of Islamophobia (wearing a hijab), and difficulty with religious practices. The next most distinct challenge noted by the respondents was the burden of personal responsibilities and having "to take care of everything myself." Only one challenge was related to KASP Regarding services and consultation provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, only 4.2% of the students mentioned dealing with Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) as a problem. Students' responses suggest the need for access to more adequately trained advisors. The idea that the KASP has helped empower women comes through most clearly in the qualitative portion of the study. After KASP participation, some of the respondents declared to be "more aware of strengths and weaknesses;" "empowered to think outside the box;" "more robust and responsible;" and "more self-sufficient." Other participants noted, "…the opportunity to grow both on a personal and professional [level];" "an increase in strength and endurance…take control of things…and solve the problems faced by students in the program;" "transformed my lifestyle from being dependent;" "boosted my confidence [and] self-esteem." The program introduced them to new "cultural experiences." "I learned two languages," wrote one, "and I am able to interact with others through their literature and culture." Another said, KASP has expanded her worldview. The program created a space for students to be empowered, improve their self-efficacy, quality of life, as well as globalization and cross-cultural understanding and identification. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]