The likelihood of a parent and child studying simultaneously at the same university is slim. And the likelihood of a parent and child studying at the same college within the same concentration? Even slimmer. So, when Ibrahim Algubaisi and his daughter Osaymah found their calling at Colorado State University’s Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, this was a father-daughter bonding experience unlike any other.
What makes their story so special is the path that Ibrahim and Osaymah took to ultimately end up in the nature-based tourism programs housed within HDNR.
Ibrahim is pursuing a master’s degree in tourism management, while Osaymah is studying the undergraduate equivalent: natural resource tourism. The subject is especially relevant, as the Algubaisi family is from Saudi Arabia, which launched “Vision 2030,” an aggressive plan to enhance tourism and entertainment in the previously private nation.
“At the beginning, I was like, this is weird, especially having some of the same professors,” Osaymah said. “But at this point, I don’t mind it. It is nice to have more one-on-one time with my dad to form a closer bond that’s different than his bond with my other siblings.”
“Yeah, your mom is happy you are spying on me,” Ibrahim chimed in with a laugh.
Osaymah is the eldest of seven children, who range in age from 18 months to 22 years old. Life stateside is not new to the Algubaisi clan, as they first moved to Oregon in 2009 after Ibrahim graduated high school at age 32 and enrolled in the University of Oregon where he received his business administration degree. During this time, Osaymah was just starting third grade.
Fast forward to 2022. Osaymah secured a scholarship through Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission to the U.S. to pursue civil engineering at CSU, while Ibrahim hoped to find a CSU graduate program to enhance his skills, while also keeping his family eligible to live and go to school in America.
After discovering the MTM program at Warner College of Natural Resources, Osaymah turned into a recruiter, talking to advisors and pitching the program to her father. Given their home country’s new emphasis on tourism, Dad was in. The rest of the family moved to Fort Collins, and all nine were back in the same town.
“Previously, when I heard of tourism, all I thought about was travel, but when I researched the program, I was like, ‘Wow, there is a lot behind the scenes,’” Ibrahim said. “The curriculum emphasizes how tourism is connected to almost everything. It shows how nearly every destination is trying to bring the aspect of sustainability into their plan. It is a worldwide focus.”
Ibrahim wasn’t the only one sold. After all the recruiting efforts, Osaymah switched to NRT in the summer of 2023. She decided to double down by applying to the affiliated accelerated master’s program, enabling her to take MTM classes starting her junior year and earn two degrees by the time she graduates in the spring of 2026.
“I felt like I could do something with it in the future once I go back to Saudi Arabia,” Osaymah said. “I eventually want to work with the Ministry of Tourism. I hope to do something with the government.”
Meanwhile, Ibrahim will graduate later this semester, pairing his business degree with a master’s degree geared toward a booming industry in his home country.
The Saudi Arabian government aims to increase domestic household spending related to entertainment and leisure activities and to transform the country into a major global travel destination. The country plans to welcome over 100 million visitors annually by 2030.
“There are many opportunities now,” Ibrahim said of his home country that lifted a 30-year ban on movie theaters just a few years ago. “There are many infrastructure and tourism projects in multiple locations across the country. However, there is a need to develop those areas with the latest technologies.”
Ibrahim’s next venture is pursuing a Ph.D. in information technology before heading back. He is interested in ways to regulate tourism, overstaying and currency exchange. Another five or six years also means more time for his family to learn in the American school system.
As an avid outdoorsman with skills in fishing, scuba diving and even drone flying, Ibrahim dreams of owning his own business. He sees promise in establishing something on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, which is rich in coral reefs and growing tourism projects.
When asked if Osaymah and Ibrahim would ever team up in business, their answers differed. Osaymah shook her head no, while Ibrahim playfully responded, “Why not?!”
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources is one of five departments within the Warner College of Natural Resources. HDNR focuses on understanding and attending to the needs and values of humans, human society, and culture as they relate to the natural environment.
For more information on the Master of Tourism Management program: https://warnercnr.colostate.edu/hdnr/master-tourism-management/
For more information on the Natural Resource Tourism undergraduate program: https://warnercnr.colostate.edu/hdnr/undergraduate-study/b-s-natural-resource-tourism/
