Amin Al-Arian used all of his life savings to send Sami to America for an education.[1] In 1975, Al-Arian came to the United States to study engineering at Southern Illinois University.[2] In 1978, he graduated with a major in Electrical Sciences and Systems Engineering.[9] At North Carolina State University, he earned his master's degree in 1980 and doctorate in 1985.[4][9]