Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 3:50 pm Post subject:

Everybody uses their own experience of Saudi to make general statements. And that just won't work. Everybody's different, and even just two people, working for the same outfit, can have diametrically opposed reactions.

If you have a good employer, enjoy your work, don't have any "illegal addictions", and are an individual who is unusually self-contained and doesn't have much need for outside diversions, Saudi can be actually pleasant, most of the time.

But if any or all of the above aren't applicable, well, then life in Saudi can range from tolerable, at best, to downright "terrible."

Regards,
John

strangerthanparadise · Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 35 Location: uk

exactly john, i totally agree, life here is what you make of it. my employer is not bad at all(not fantastic either) but i have a good rapport with my students, enjoy being in the classroom (i am here for them, not the other way round), i do not miss the booze and other diversions as you call them. i enjoy books, music and movies and my own company and stay far away from those pathetic twats who seem to enjoy having a bad time. let them. i don't give a flying f**k as to how they mess up the quality of their existence.

EricCC · Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 63

This is all sounding really good. I'd just assume be away from the drink and other silly things and spend more time on study, exercise, and NOT BEING COLD in the winter.

Thanks to the above two posts.

Eric

CamTam · Joined: 05 Jan 2012 Posts: 32

Dear OP,

It does get cold in winter in Saudi Arabia. In fact, sometimes, it dips below zero in some cities. Yesterday, there was a thunderstorm and it rained all evening. The air smells nice and fresh after it rains.

I don't want you to get the impression that this country is hot and arid all the time. Do bring an umbrella and a warm coat if you do come here as you seem to have decided.

As for whether or not it is "terrible," I can only tell you that more people are unhappy here than happy. I work with the women only as there is a complete separation of the sexes at the universities. Some of my colleagues have run away in the middle of the night after receiving their paycheck. It is a hard life for single women here, so making friends is important. Most of my colleagues are kind and helpful.

John is right. Saudi Arabia doesn't have to be "terrible."

Most of the people who live in Saudi Arabia really are too busy minding their own business to care about anybody else's business. I am bothered sometimes by the men, but that is because I am a woman who is all alone here.

I read that one of the posters wanted to use his experience in Cairo as some kind of parallel to Saudi Arabia. I had to laugh. Saudi Arabia is nothing like Cairo. I am almost tempted to say Saudi Arabia is like no place on Earth. I can't really explain it, but it isn't like the other GCC countries either. You'll have to come here to see for yourself what I mean.

I wish you the best of luck. You do seem to have what it takes to be here.

CamTam

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

Somebody at the University of Hail has gone on hunger strike! Shocked

And salaries seem to be going down.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:15 pm Post subject:

Dear posh,

The Hunger Games come to the Kingdom - and salaries are going down. On the other hand, being on a hunger strike is a sure way to save a fair amount on food costs. Very Happy

To survive in Saudi, one needs to develop (it one doesn't already have) a very dark sense of humor.

Regards,
John

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

Hehe

... and become honorary members of the 500 club.

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I look back with some nostalgia to 1996-2002 when, together with wife and daughters, I lived in the same accommodation as the 747 pilots on Saudia City in Khaledeya, Jeddah..

My daughter was not happy to leave the International American School and return to Europe in 2002 !

battleshipb_b · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 189

I've been living in the magic kingdom for around 20 years and it's not such a bad place. However, it's a man's world and unless you work for Aramco, it's not a good idea to bring wife and kids.

EFLeducator · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:50 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 11:11 pm Post subject:

Dear EFLeducator,

It sounds like you have the right make-up for the job (but do you have a Master's? If not, the jobs that are available won't be all that attractive.)

The streets in Saudi are generally pretty clean - thanks to all those third-world workers. But the concept of not littering still hasn't been embraced by too many Saudis.

Regards,
John