Job Discussion Forums

[Queen of Sheba]

Nearly every single woman I have met that moves here, ends up hating it here. As do many of the married ones for that matter. I think it is hard country to adjust to for all of us, regardless of gender, but I think it�s particularly difficult for women. I have had to make personal adjustments in my expectations, and have had to strive to be entertained and content here, and I am not single. After a few years of working and meeting expats in the work place, I cannot help to wonder why most of the single women I have met, who come to teach in Saudi Arabia came here. I know people generally work to make money, but they can make money elsewhere, where they are happier, can't they? Most of the women I am referring to are competent and educated, so I would bet that they can find work elsewhere. They really seem to suffer here and it�s for obvious reasons that they must have known before moving here and signing their contracts. I mean this is Saudi Arabia, a highly conservative Muslim country, and they are also one of the richest Monarchies in the region, so most of the people we teach are here are well traveled, opinionated and somewhat snobby about their status and their wealth. It is their country and their decision to do what they please, and think whatever they think, isn�t it? They certainly don�t feel grateful or indebted to America or the West, and they certainly don�t want to be like us. They just want to learn English. Why does this seem to be a big shock for some expats?

Perhaps I should feel sorry for these women, and I kind of do, but I also think they chose to come here, and its become clear that had no idea what they were getting into. These are teacher, academics and many of them hold MAs. Yet, they didn�t pick up a book or even read a few articles about the country, and they clearly didn�t see any news clips about the country. Is it the country�s fault that they hate it here? Is it the students� fault? Is it the fault of other, well adjusted teachers? These ladies are going off about the country, about the spoiled rich kids they teach, and about their �anti-American� policy sentiment to the students and to other colleagues! Is it me or is this incredibly unprofessional and arrogant? I mean I have opinions too, and I can be pompous and arrogant too, but at work, and in this country in particular, I know enough to keep them to myself, except when in the company of similar minded people that I can debate and discuss these issues with in friendly social settings. Come to think of it, regardless of the country you are in, this is just standard work etiquette to keep your opinions about war and politics, as well as any religious and cultural bashing to yourself, isn�t it?

[Cleopatra]

[amity]

Answering from my own perspective, having lived elsewhere in the Middle East (Kuwait, Lebanon, etc.) Arab culture is familiar and comfortable to me. Now I want to teach English overseas. Am I going to Korea where they eat dogs fortheloveofmercy?!?!? ... or to Saudi Arabia where things are sure to be more familiar? Being a woman has little/ nothing to do with it.

And even if I didn't have the pleasant past experience in the Middle East that I had, the gulf between Arab and European cultures has not historically been so great as some would have us believe, at least not compared to the far east or other cultures around the globe that developed in relative isolation from Europe/Middle East and vice versa. The Middle East and Europe grew up together, so to speak, have always been in contact with each other, being near neighbors, and have influenced each other quite a bit throughout history. We have in common monotheism and the enormous influence on cultural values that religion has been throughout history, and consequently similar attitudes about social existence, similar aesthetic sensibilities, etc. There are plenty of referents in Arab culture and society for Europeans and Americans to latch onto and identify with if they have not already had negative attitudes shaped by press or whatever other western sources do a number on our heads! I could list many more items, but I am sure you get my drift.

And as far as the restrictions on "lifestyle," we Anglo-Americans had a movement similar in many ways to Wahabism. It was called Puritanism. I have always admired the Puritans, so I can respect the Wahabis as well. And in the last analysis, Saudi Arabia is the Saudi people's country, not mine. I am just a visitor there, come to see and hear and learn (as well as to teach ... English, that is). I might change some views while I am there, if I do get to go. In fact, I hope to change some views.

Oh, yeah: Do I think those who hate Saudi Arabia, Islam, or their students and their opinions are okay to express said opinion in the workplace? Only if their goal is to tick off everyone around them.

[Cleopatra]

[ootii]

[amity]

[007]

[Queen of Sheba]

[amity]

You may be right, Queen of Sheba, but I will just have to deal with it then (I hope).

It is hard for me to imagine what the "culture shock" would consist of. Can you be more specific?

And to 007, yes I am afraid things have become ever more xenophobic in the U.S. when it comes to Arabs, or any Muslims. The chasm seems to be widening in the American mind, at least. When I was living in the Middle East, people went far out of their way to befriend me and make me feel at home, and pointed out that although they opposed U.S. policies they felt no antagonism toward me personally. I don't remember ever experiencing antipathy directed toward me as an American, not even once. I am glad of it, too, because I didn't even know another American for several years, and few westerners. I wonder if that friendship would still be found.

[Cleopatra]

[Queen of Sheba]

[007]

[scot47]

I still find it strange that so many people spend YEARS here and learn absolutley nothing - apart from how to uise a credit card !

[Queen of Sheba]

Equally strange how Saudis dont expect Americans or Brits to be more Saudi, when they travel to those countries.

[Cleopatra]