Reasons and factors for obtaining

The purpose of the paper is to examine the phenomenon of Arab Israeli graduates who choose to obtain PhD degrees abroad, especially from the USA and Western European universities. This paper shows 'pull' factors that entice these graduates to complete their PhD degrees abroad. It also deals with the added value of studying abroad for them and its impact on their academic careers as well as an up-to-date comprehensive picture of this phenomenon. Choosing the destination of studying abroad The choice of USA and Western-European universities is because of the reputation of these places and their great influence in the fields of global media, economy and technology, as well as their academic status (Marginson, 2008), and the granting of funds and scholarships for foreign students at the doctoral stage . The USA is considered as the main country of destination for Arab academics who intend to obtain PhD’s abroad. The USA grants scholarships to research students at the doctoral level in any fields of study through a "Fulbright" grant. The "Fulbright" grants stipends and scholarships to those students with academic excellence and who are engaged in social activities and community service and have leadership abilities. The "Fulbright" foundation has been awarding scholarships and research grants to more than 1300 Israeli academics, including Arab academics, since the establishment of this fund. It is noteworthy that since 2007, "Fulbright" gives grants to between 8-10 Arab students from Israel each year who intend to obtain higher degrees, especially PhD’s in the USA (Shalabi, 2010). Data about Arab lecturers with PhD’s in Israel In Israel, there are eight universities which include about 5.814 senior lecturers and 2.334 lecturers with no tenure. Each year approximately 1000 students complete their study for PhD’s in different fields, including a small number of Arab students. Between the years 2005 and 2008 the number of the Arab PhD graduates reached only 126 compared to 3.714 Jewish PhD graduates (Central Bureau of Statistics, 2009). Conversely, the proportion of Arab lecturers at the Israeli universities was only 1.4% in 2009 compared with 1.2% in 2008 and 1% in 1999. The proportion of Arab lecturers at colleges has risen to 13.8% including the Arab Colleges of Teacher Training. (Sekkoy, 2004, 2008). Therefore, the majority of Arab lectures with PhD titles work in teacher training most likely in Arab but also in Jewish education colleges. Approximately, 500 to 600 Arab lecturers work in Arab and Jewish educational colleges, most likely in four Arab teacher training colleges in Israel( Khamaisi, 2009). The Arab students in Israel perceive higher education as an important stepping stone and sometimes the only means to advance their social mobility individually and as a group (Al-Haj, 1995). There is no doubt that studying abroad is normally considered as a "second chance" after the non-acceptance to study in one’s homeland, or it is an alternative for those who were not accepted at universities of their countries, and at the same time those whose families are able to support them abroad financially (Haj Yehia, 2002). By studying abroad, Arab students from Israel have the opportunity to improve their academic, scientific and social status in their Arab society in Israel. Studying for a PhD abroad means for them social prestige in traditional society, but also to help their national minority achieve full equality in all spheres of life in Israel