In recent months, Saudi Arabia has been opening up to the world, providing its youth with exciting new opportunities and allowing them to dream bigger than ever before. 

They're artists, journalists, doctors, engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs, the country's up and coming generation, whose dreams will further transform the kingdom.

And our conversations with a few young Saudi graduates who opened up to StepFeed about their dreams for the future is proof of just that.

"I dream of building an NGO that helps empower abused women"

Speaking to StepFeed, Sarah, a 22-year-old who recently graduated with a degree in Social Work, revealed her inspiring plans for the future. 

"Ever since I graduated, I started working on building my own project, a non-governmental organization which aims to rehabilitate and support abused women," she said. 

"Domestic abuse is a major issue in the kingdom and so many women suffer in silence because they truly have no other option, no place to go and no one who can offer them support. My aim is to change that," she added.

Sarah also explained that she is currently studying important initiatives such as "Know Your Rights," a mobile application which provides Saudi women information on their legal rights when it comes to situations including abuse, marriage, divorce, and custody. 

"I am currently in the research phase, collecting information on similar existing initiatives like the brilliant "Know Your Rights," app. It's truly important to build on experience that is already available and that's where I am at now," she said. 

"There are no limits to this dream and I am excited that I am living in an era where I truly believe it is possible for me to achieve it," she added. 

"I am building my own food truck empire"

Abdullah, a 25-year-old university graduate, told us all about his culinary adventures and how he's building an empire out of a food truck business. 

"I am in the pre-launch phase of a food truck business that'll be transforming popular traditional Saudi dishes, like 'Maandi' and 'Kabsa' into street food creations," he said

"We're going to be offering our services at gatherings, in people's homes and I know we'll slowly grow the idea," he added. 

When asked what was behind his vision for the unique idea, Abdullah said: 

"I've been a foodie for as long as I can remember so when I graduated with a degree in business, there was no doubt in my mind that I'll be working in the culinary field," he explained. 

"When I decided to start my own thing, opening a restaurant wasn't at the top of the list because there are just so many of them everywhere in the kingdom and in Jeddah too. So I thought to myself, why not think outside of the box and create something that's more about an experience all in of itself? And here I am now," he added. 

"My dream is to develop the kingdom's art scene"

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Also speaking to StepFeed, Razan, a 25-year-old graphic designer, who recently graduated with a masters degree in illustration, told us of how she's trying to expand the kingdom's art scene. 

"Just five years back, it would've been almost impossible to find opportunities in an artistic field in the kingdom, but things have changed so fast in recent years," she said. 

"I've always dreamed of opening up a cultural center, that would basically serve as a collective space where artists could come, share their experiences and collaborate on projects. Now I can say, my dream is possible and I can actually start building it because the kingdom's artists are all ready to flourish," she added. 

"We certainly need more exhibitions, art events and workshops that'll help grow local talent. That is my ultimate ambition, my dream is to truly develop the kingdom's art scene," she added. 

"I am working towards directing my debut film in the kingdom"

Source: YouTube

In just two years, Saudi cinema has made impressive strides, with local filmmakers delving into the art. 

This comes at a time when the kingdom has also been making way for the art form to flourish, recently lifting a long-standing ban on cinemas. 

One of the filmmakers who will soon be returning to the kingdom amid the changes is 24-year-old Khaled, who just graduated from film school in Spain. 

Speaking to StepFeed, the young talent said it wasn't an easy task to convince his family of his career path three years ago, given that there wasn't, and practically still isn't, a Saudi cinema industry. 

"If you had told me that filming my own feature and having it debut in Saudi would be possible three years ago, I wouldn't have believed it. But it's happening. The film industry is developing in the kingdom and it's amazing," he said. 

"Of course things aren't trouble free and we're still decades behind when it comes to this industry, but I have faith in the fact that our generation can and will make a difference," he added. 

Khaled also told us he is currently writing a script to his debut film, which is set in Saudi Arabia and will also be shot in the country. 

"There is no better time to tell our stories, we're transforming, evolving and building brighter futures for ourselves," he explained.

"I am developing a mobile medical check-up service"

Source: YouTube

Aseel, a 25-year-old medical school graduate, said her dreams have no limit. 

"My dream doesn't stop at working at a clinic or hospital, what I truly want is to reach those who cannot come in to seek medical care," she said. 

The bright graduate is currently working on developing a mobile medical check-up service, consisting of a system that will help provide top-notch consultations in mobile trucks.

"My aim is to provide people with the care they need, no matter where they are or what their situation is." 

When asked what obstacles face her dream and what logistics are needed for it to actually become a reality, Aseel explained: 

"The main obstacle is having people doubt you and tell you that it'll never work out. But to me, trying is better than doing nothing at all. I believe this is a needed service in the kingdom and one that'll benefit so many people, so the least I can do is try to make it a reality." 

"It's not easy to dream of becoming a ballet dancer in Saudi Arabia, but this is my ambition"

24-year-old Reema graduated with a degree in marketing but never let go of her childhood dream of becoming a ballet dancer. 

The young woman has been through so much but is adamant about achieving this dream.

"You name it, I've gone through it. From family criticism, to social barriers, it's not easy to dream of becoming a ballet dancer in Saudi Arabia, but this is my ambition and I'll do anything for it," she said. 

"I have trained since a very young age but it was just as an after school activity, no one imagined it was something I'd want to do for a living," she added.

After expressing her desire to her parents, Reema faced several objections and was told she needed to get a "proper" university degree before pursuing her ambition. 

"My parents said I could pursue ballet only after getting a proper college degree. Now that I've done that, they've actually stuck to the deal and are trying to accept my choice," she explained. 

Reema is now hoping to join a professional ballet dance group in order to perform with them for a while. Her ultimate dream is to perform in Jeddah, her hometown, and later in life launch her own ballet school in the kingdom. 

"A whole new market is open for us"

Speaking to Stepfeed, Manal, a 26-year-old Saudi business graduate told us about her dream to open up a car showroom and explained why she wants it to be female-only. 

"I've always dreamed of driving my own car and I know so many other Saudi women share the same dream. Now that the ban on women driving has been lifted, a whole new market is open for us and I think investing in it is the way to go," she said. 

"I am planning to launch the showroom and make it a space where women can come and choose the vehicles that fit them best," she added. 

Manal explained that the showroom will cater to "a new generation of Saudi women", featuring the newest car models. She also added that she'd like to collaborate with a few of her favorite car manufacturers including BMW and Porsche. When asked why she'd want her business to be female-only, she said: 

"This might sound a bit extreme to some people but I wouldn't want to sell men cars after years of them not allowing us to drive. I know how many Saudi women dream of driving and I just want to cater to them if I succeed in this."