Job Discussion Forums

[Queen of Sheba]

Here is some advice for the those that just cant get a grip on Saudi life, once they arrive, and for all those thinking of coming to Saudi Arabia to take into serious consideration. These issues have come up more than once, and in different, albeit very real cases and their related outbursts. Thus some colleagues and I have taken an informal inventory and come up with the following list. If others who have worked in Saudi Arabia have serious additions that you think would be of benefit, feel free to add your own TIPS, or Tidbits for an Intelligent Person's Survival in Saudi Arabia.

1. Don�t come to Saudi Arabia looking to convert Muslims into Christians, if wont work and it is against the law.

2. Don�t come to Saudi Arabia expecting them to like American foreign policy.

3. Don�t come to Saudi Arabia expecting them to like you for being Western or American in particular. You will have to prove yourself, as they are quite happy and proud to be Saudis.

4. Don�t expect them to like you for being liberal and Western, they will like you if you respect them for who they are, much more.

5. Read some books about Saudi Arabia and Middle Eastern history and politics if you are interested, don�t bother others more aware than you with a phony or suddent interest just because you have moved here.

6. If your students have opinions that arise in their discussion topics or essays, let them express them and just help to communicate with a higher standard of English, as stated in your job description. Don�t judge them or try to change their opinions. They are well aware of what Western media has portrayed them to be, and they dont appreciate your judgement of them, especially on their own turf. Would you?

7. You are an ESL teacher, and a blue collar worker, not a missionary, an aid worker or even someone of real significance whose opinion matters to your students. Get off your soapbox of a desk and start teaching instead of preaching.

8. If you find you hate Saudi Arabia, dont bother your collegues and students with your sarcastic and negative commentary. It wont help them and it wont help you. What will help you is to remember that you decided to come, and that you came for the money, so keep your trap shut and hope that it comes to an end sooner rather than later.

[bje]

Thanks very much for this timely and relevant posting; I completely agree and imagine others who have spent some years in the region will appreciate this. Hopefully it will be read by those contemplating a move to KSA, although much of it also applies to other Gulf countries.

[letitslidedude]

Queen of Sheba,

Great posting and thanks for the tips!

[amity]

It also gives me, as someone who has not yet worked in Saudi Arabia, a great idea of what some of the issues really are, and why adapting to Saudi Arabia is so difficult for some people. I must say I am not surpised at most of this ...

... except for the part about trying to make Christians out of Muslims! That must take some real nerve.

[omanized]

I would venture to suggest that a few tips on dealing with the paperwork and efficiency in KSA and the GCC in general are equally as important as the issues of cultural or political sensitivity ! Maybe more so !

I don't really have much to add without falling back on something trite like...go with the flow...or...lower your expectations...can someone more eloquent contribute and few bon mots...?


I have always found that just simple awareness of the possibility that your papers will be delayed, everything needs several stamps and every stamp needs several delays can help ease the fear and paranoia which often develops and then festers in the hair-trigger minds of the rookies.

omzd

[dmb]

And don't forget your two buckets.

[The Noodles]

wow.

You mean people actully go to the KSA to convert the Saudis into Christians! They must be tired of life.

This certainly happened during my three years in China It drove regualr teachers up the wall because it made things difficult for us (also illegal in China) Once we realized a teacher or I guess I should say missionary was preaching we would distance ourselves and wait for the inevitable to happen.

I guess i'm surprised because I never thought missionaries would go somewhere that is so intolerant of other religions.

Actually there have been a few surprises that have popped up for me since reading the Saudi forum. Coming from an Iranian background which is rich with history and culture, we have always laughed at the Gulf Arabs who have had very little until the later part of the 20th Century. The fact that they have pride is something of a stange anomaly to me as the Gulf Arabs have always been regarded as 'wild barbarians'. Funny how different cultures always tend to see themselves in a better light than othes. Whether they are Missionaries, Arabs, Iranians, Armenians or Americans.

Humans have such big egos.

[Van Norden]

[007]

King Cobra would like to add the following tips:

9. Don�t expect to be able to motivate your students through creative classroom practice
10. You are likely to be restricted with a curriculum and materials that is outdated or restrictive for your innovation (if you have any!).
11. If you are an expert in your field with an MA or PhD, expect to teach second-rate materials.
12. Expect to use �Wasta�, directly or undirectly, to get some of your rights!
13. If you have a passport, especially red one, expect it to be taken from you and put in a safe �box�, and be given instead an Igama (kind of residency/work permit)
14. Try to be with an open mind and resilient in your daily life
15. if you are familiar with Pubs/Night-clubs forget about them and try to accommodate/familiarize yourself with Beers without alcohol (e.g. Alhumbra!), and lastly...

16 . BE PATIENT, PATIENT, AND PATIENT until the end of your life in SA.

But I have noticed that the most Intelligent People who are really surviving in this magic kingdom are the poor Banghali, Pakistanis, Pilipino, and the Egyptians. Because the above tips apply to them very well.

[sheikh radlinrol]

What about the driving in KSA? Anybody considering going there and getting behind the wheel of a car should be warned. I saw people reading while they were driving, kids who looked as young as 10 at the wheel and a guy driving with his left leg hanging out the window. Going through a red light or driving in the dark without your lights on are commonplace.

[007]

[Queen of Sheba]

[ALPH]

i agree with VN. It is arrogant to assume one's take on saudi arabia will apply to everyone - agree with me or keep your trap shut ! (LOL). Though in defence of the OP, i have to say that she appeared to come out of nowhere, addressed 5 different Threads all at once and then breathlessly laid down the Commandments for Living in S Arabia, ala QoS.

''RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi authorities have warned foreign embassies that a group blamed for last month's killing of four French nationals could strike again, diplomats said on Wednesday.''

Would-be travellers to s arabia might be more profitably informed that, whatever the Stats re getting shot dead on your own doorstep back home, you are potential targets for Islamist terrorists over here. After the recent brutal murders of 4 French nationals, Embassies have warned their own nationals agaisnt travel outside the cities. Some of the 100,000 Western residents in Saudi Arabia left after the earlier attacks (2004 - 5 ), reducing the number to about 60,000, although some of these have since returned.

So, once social niceties are dealt with - ie how to behave like a human being - Let's not forget while we collect our salaries here what lies beneath and perhaps be more aware of our own value systems. If it is right that we be tolerant of our Host country's habits and customs, it is no less so that we be tolerant of the opinions of other subscribers to this forum. That can be our first marker for 'Intelligence'

[Queen of Sheba]

Good observations of my royal behaviour Alph, since you seem to be in a semi-coherent state, maybe you should refer to what my comment "keep your trap shut" was about. At that point if you still find that its in good taste to be negative and complain, and find that its condusive to your day, life and job, then please defend it with an explanation. Negative comments and complaints about the culture, the people and the students, hurt and damage relationships, create problematic attitudes and hinder the education of the students. So, if you are awake and able to reply with a valid argument, I shall await to hear your complaints.

[ALPH]

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." �Leo Tolstoy