Job Discussion Forums

[PeterParvo]

It's been eight months since the family and I left KSA for good, but man it seems like eight years. Is my brain trying to put that five years of our life as far back in the past as possible?

What's your experience?

[scot47]

Was it really so unpleasant for you ? Are you truly pleased to be back in the USofA ?

[Hatcher]

I would never make 5 years. When I leave, I will never look back.

[scot47]

I did 2 plus 1 plus 6 plus 8. Gaps between. I know people who have been in the same job in Saudi for 20+ years.

[Sheik Yerbuti]

I know a few of those too. I guess repatriating petro-dollars never
gets old for them.

[scot47]

For some of those oldtimers, KSA has become their home.

[PeterParvo]

By year five we were having a great time, hard to leave. It's just that life now is so rich when we see what we didn't have and worked so hard for. Saudi gave us many good things, not only money.

[jaffa]

I agree with the old saying that the best thing about Saudi is leaving. Roll on Thursday! Yippee!

[sheikh radlinrol]

I�m starting to miss one or two things! Finishing work at 2 p.m., pleasant dry climate (Riyadh) and Nafourah food. And, of course, the money deposited in your bank account every month.

[PeterParvo]

I miss dates and cream as well as humus and taboula from the local dive.

I don't miss the money. I saved my wad and it's done what it's supposed to do, but the feeling of 'happiness' from getting money every month doesn't outweigh what one gives up by living there.

Yes, there is life outside of KSA.

[McBrainiac]

Hi,

It's been 4 months for me, and I am thoroughly enjoying being out of Saudi. I also miss the taboula, mutabel, and hummous. I miss all of the great friends I made there. The KSA is not that bad as long as you constantly remind yourself where you are and keep in mind the parameters of the society you live in.

Also remember that there is always going to be an unusually high percentage of toxic people among the expats you work with, in just about any job, even the best of employers. It is a shame that the KSA attracts more than its share of psychopaths and other weirdos that can poison the atmosphere. My advice is to identify these people as soon as possible and avoid them to the extent it is possible in order to keep your sanity.

All around I'd say I enjoyed most of my time there, but I am glad I am no longer there.

[scot47]

The lousier emplotyers have more toxic people working for them. However even at the good employers I worked for - Saudi Airlines and KFUPM - there was a sprinkling of psychotic weirdos who would make Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory" look normal. (to those of you unfamiliar with that TV comedy series all I can say is WATCH IT !

[PeterParvo]

I loved the 'psychopaths'. Luckily I never really came across one that made my life hell.

Going back to my original thought, the best thing I ever got out of KSA aside from the money is that now many simple things in life are so intensely wonderful. Now I see snow-capped mountains outside my office window, eat amazing apples from a local orchard, watch my kids sledding, and best of all, see my wife going about her life without being harassed.

[teechagimme]

OMG, if I get home in time for Easter, I will have Honeybaked ham!!!

[jaffa]

Just enjoyed a wind swept bike ride around Amersfoort. Uberfresh and freakin'cold! Feels like I got new lungs. Bacon for breakfast, lunch and, sometimes, dinner. Live music this evening ... back to the sand on Wednesday .