Refaa Sait Molds a Sweet Future at Bowie State

Refaa Sait '28 is a force. She arrived at Bowie State from Saudi Arabia in 2025 with many roles to play: student, wife and mother. Her plan was to earn a degree in business administration with a concentration in economics while raising her three-year-old son.  

But she didn't expect to discover so much about herself, both academically and personally, or to win a business competition for her chocolate enterprise along the way. 

"My experience here has been very growth-oriented because I'm an international student. Back home, the teaching style and lectures are totally different." 

Her path to Bowie began through a scholarship sponsored by the Saudi Arabian government. The scholarship let Sait choose from a broad list of universities in the DMV area. She says Bowie State stood out, not just because the university offered her desired field of study, or the fact that Bowie’s academic program is recognized by Saudi Arabia as valuable to local workforce needs. It was also because she was drawn to the chance to study at a Historically Black College or University. 

"I like being at an HBCU. I enjoy the Bulldog culture, and I welcome the chance to learn more about people's back stories and how they also found themselves at Bowie.” 

Sait has connected with classmates through campus events, student organizations and daily interactions. It’s how she has discovered new interests, perspectives and bold opportunities for growth. 

One of her boldest growth experiences started in her kitchen six years ago and quickly became a recipe for entrepreneurial success on campus.  

“During COVID in Saudi Arabia, I spent a lot of time making desserts as a hobby. Chocolate is one of the ingredients I experimented with. After I arrived in the U.S., I saw the gap here in the quality of chocolate. The variations here are more limited than what I’m used to.” 

Mentors at the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center (EIC) encouraged Sait to develop her sugar-spun ideas of a sweets venture into reality.  

“When they tasted the blend of chocolate I presented to them, they loved it! Their help was so valuable because they gave me access to other materials to make my business idea complete, such as packaging and labeling.” 

Earlier this year, she participated in the Bulldog Pitch Competition, where she presented her concept for her chocolate products. Refaa Sweets won third prize in the non-technical category and earned the Crowd Favorite award, receiving a $500 stipend for business expenses. 

The win reflected both her growing confidence and willingness to pursue opportunities beyond academics. In fact, the EIC played an important role in pointing her to a one-week entrepreneurial program at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. during summer 2026.  

"As time goes by, I feel I know myself more. I'm not just learning subjects in my degree. I'm learning more about myself, my hobbies and my personality." 

Sait credits the university's welcoming environment by helping her feel at home thousands of miles away from her family. 

"Every time I go to an event and meet new groups, I learn something new from them. There are religious groups, support groups, dance groups and community groups where people just talk and have fun." 

Because of those connections, homesickness has not been a challenge. 

"As an international student, I’ve never felt homesick because I'm always surrounded by supportive people. I always find something fun to do that I enjoy." 

She appreciates how Bowie State celebrates culture throughout campus life, from special events to food and programming. 

"Bowie makes cultural connections everywhere on campus. From the food to the activities offered, I can really feel it.” 

Sait also credits Bowie State's professors with creating a hands-on learning environment that encourages Bulldogs to engage with one another. 

"All the professors make the learning process into activities, discussions and fun experiences. It's not just someone talking while showing slides." 

Those classroom conversations have broadened her world view. 

"I hear diverse viewpoints from those representing different cultures, and it helps me have more informed opinions." 

Whether she's pitching a business idea, attending campus events or meeting new people, Sait approaches each moment as a chance to learn. She’s one of only a handful of Saudi Arabian students at Bowie State, but she has found a strong sense of belonging within the entire university community. 

"I’m learning while I'm having fun and I’m doing what makes me happy. I’ve also discovered it makes other people here happy, too.”