Job Discussion Forums

[Robyn]

Hi everyone,

My boyfriend and I are starting a CELTA course in April and looking at places we would be interested in working - Saudi being one of them.

We have spent a bit of time in Dubai before - although we are aware that KSA is a lot stricter and less westernised.

I have a few questions and I would be grateful if anyone can answer them for me, sorry if some seem a bit stupid!

1) We are not married, could we live together?
2) From what I've read compound living is the best for westerners, how much would you expect to pay to live in one?
3) From what I understand, women wear the Abaya outside only but would take it off in the classroom?
4) Trousers are not acceptable for women to wear? Is it ok to wear sandals and show your feet?
5) Would any women go out on their own? To women/family only malls for example?
6) Any reccommendations for places to work? I have experience teaching in a primary school and my boyfriend in a secondary school, both in UK.

Thank you for any help

[nomad soul]

Seriously, KSA is not the place for newbies, and since you didn't indicate what your education is, I suspect you both don't even have the minimum requirements to teach EFL here anyway. As for living together as boyfriend and girlfriend in ultra-conservative, gender-separating KSA, there is absolutely no way that would ever happen. Never. Ever. Please do some thorough research on KSA and the Gulf region in general. Better yet, forget the Mid East and spend your energy and time looking at other countries, like those in Asia, that would work better for your lifestyle and qualifications.

[Robyn]

I did indicate our education and also previous work experience, I assume you misread/ didn't read this.

I also stated that we have spent time in Dubai so are aware of what the Middle East is like - I also said we realise that KSA is a lot stricter.

As for doing research - what do you think I'm doing on here?

Thank you for your reply anyway

[strangerthanparadise]

you merely indicated that you are going to "do" a CELTA and that you had spent "a bit" of time in the UAE, doing what? any university degree(s)?
and had you done any proper research - this is hardly the place - you would not have asked those questions: they don't seem stupid dear, they are...

[It's Scary!]

When I first saw the OP, I thought, "Naw, not worth the bother..."

It's really not!

[veiledsentiments]

My first thought was

TROLL!!

I can't imagine that anyone who has set foot in the Middle East... even Dubai... could be that ignorant of the situation.

VS

[It's Scary!]

Oh!!! I know who this poster is now! And, you should, too, VS. You were right!

Now, OP, don't you go on and EGg on anyone else, Boy!

It's like, "fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me! I take it that the OP's on his 30-day "Off-shift"!

[Robyn]

I actually can't believe the responses here!

I was asking advice from what I thought were people with experience and could offer me some information to questions that are not completely unreasonable.

Clearly I've come to the wrong place, which is such a shame because this website would be so beneficial to people like me if it wasn't for responses like this.

[It's Scary!]

[cmp45]

[nomad soul]

I'll respond to questions 1 & 6:

1) We are not married, could we live together?
Absolutely not. Unless you are closely related by blood or married, expect to live apart in a strict, gender-segregated society. And if the mutaween, the religious police, catch you together in a restaurant, shopping, or just out for a stroll, you will be approached (and not in a friendly way) to verify your relationship and will likely find yourselves spending time in jail before being deported.

6) Any reccommendations for places to work? I have experience teaching in a primary school and my boyfriend in a secondary school, both in UK.
You never indicated your academic credentials nor if that experience was in TEFL and only stated that you've been accepted into a CELTA program. Without a few years of experience post-CELTA and a minimum of a BA, you won't qualify for entry-level teaching jobs in KSA. Also, be aware that if you both had possessed those minimal qualifications---enough to be hired by a recruiter at a mediocre salary---you could end up being shipped to one city and your boyfriend to another, and you'd have no say in the matter.

I'm not sure what your interest in KSA is and why you naively assumed you and your boyfriend could live together in one of the most religiously conservative countries in the world, but the answers to your questions could easily have been researched on the Internet and in these forums. This is why so many of us were taken aback by your post.

Good luck with your CELTA studies.

[It's Scary!]

From the Japan board, where I visit now and again...a post by "Robyn"...

[Robyn]

Thank you to the people who answered my questions, your help/advice is much appreciated.

I was under the impression that the religious police were not allowed in the compounds, and wondered if that then meant people could live together without being married as they are aimed to house people who are not from KSA, hence my 'trollish, stupid and naive' question.

It obviously makes people feel good about themselves when they are rude to others, but really there is no need for it. Yes I could have spent hours going through these forums but I could also the questions directly, which is what I did.

[It's Scary!]

Yeah...research sucks! Maybe that explains the world in which we live. This board is dominated by dedicated professionals, once you get that, then maybe, the rudeness is more subtle...or maybe people aren't considered "rude" because you evidence an investment in your "career".

It's all I've got to say about the matter!

[cmp45]

living on the compound...did you expect to spend all your time there with your boy friend? What about shopping, going out, getting to the airport when travelling....you would be at risk everytime you stepped out with your 'boyfriend'...quite frankly, you would not be able to live under the same roof on a compound or anywhere else in KSA...you would eventually be reported (ratted out) and as Nomad soul stated... jailed, possibly flogged and deported.

Do not take it personally...think of it this way...you are providing some comic relief for us bored sods that spend all our time on here LOL see... I am poking fun at myself... you will need a thicker skin to work in KSA, if you do manage to get a job here. any how...you get answers based on how you write your questions...write stupid questions, you get stupid answers...