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Cantabrigian
Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:53 am Post subject: Life in Dhahran and Saudia in General |
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Hello. I am a new member of this forum and this is my first post.
I shall join KFUPM in September as lecturer in the Prep Year Maths Programme. As a new-comer I have many questions regarding life in the Kingdom in general and Dhahran in particular. I shall be grateful to any member who would answer my questions and share his/her experiences.
1. How do the prices of the following items in KSA compare with UK and US: Laptops (e.g. DEL inspiron 6400), Cell phone, Television, DVD Player.
2. Are the above items easily available in Dhahran?
3. How good is Dhahran for eating out?
4. I shall be accompanied by my wife and 2 year old daughter. Are there any fun places in Dhahran for families/kids to hang out?
5. Does Dhahran have reasonably good shopping centres/super markets?
6. What is the general dress code in universities? For instance is wearing jeans and t-shirt acceptable?
I shall appreciate your input.
Sincerely
Cantab |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:43 am Post subject: |
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Congrats on getting the job; I have applied too, but haven't heard anything yet. KFUPM is arguably the best (in terms of professionalism) higher educational institution to work for in KSA.
I will answer questions I can:
1) From what I know about laptops, they are cheaper in the US, with the same models costing around 75% of the prices here in SA. And that goes for peripherals as well. Don't know about phones, TVs, and DVD players. But DVD players have become very cheap in KSA, with basic models of reputable brands (Sony, Panasonic, JVC, etc) costing well under $100, some even for $60.
2) Yes. There is a big electronics store there similar to Best Buy/Circuit City, called "Extra". You will find everything there.
3) Yes, but don't know exactly where.
4) Yes, but don't know exactly where.
5) Yes.
6) I would suspect jeans and a collarless tshirt wouldn't be acceptable. However, those more in the know can answer this.
Good luck! |
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Cantabrigian
Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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Many thanks Trapezius. Your reply has helped a lot. I would still apreciate more input from fellow forum members.
Sincerely
Cantab |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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You are welcome. BTW, I sent you a PM (personal message) earlier.
I am not in any hurry to receive a reply... just letting you know since you are new to the website, and it is easy to miss it when you get a private message from a user.
Regards,
trap |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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Have no idea of prices in UK and US. Most people I know buy their electronic gizmos in KSA.
Lots of consumerism. Shopping malls everywhere. Lots of places to eat out.
No formal dress code but teaching staff should be a bit more 'formal' . T-shirt and jeans is not really acceptable. You will be taken more seriously if you dress a bit more professionally. Only a small minority wear ties. Some turn up in 'Manchester United' supporters' shirts. I do not recommend that.
Last edited by scot47 on Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:06 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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WD40
Joined: 14 Jan 2007
Posts: 104
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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| KFUPM has a great beach which is virtually deserted most of the time about 45 minutes drive from the centre (I visited my brother there for a month - we have a kid too!) There are parks and the usual fun cities. Why not try many of the nurseries available or get in touch with the mums clubs which support each other really well. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:17 am Post subject: |
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| Last time I was at the KFUPM Beach I was the only visitor. One poiint - if you are at KFUPM with a family, having a car will make life a lot easier. |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:22 am Post subject: |
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Welcome aboard.
You would do best to buy phones and DVD players in Saudi. For a laptop it's up to you, but I think Maths lecturers, like ELC lecturers get provided one by the University.
Dhahran is actually a non-place; it's Aramco, the University and the American Embassy (which is actually in the middle of the KFUPM campus). The place you will do your shopping is Khobar. Good restaurants and good shops and a gorgeous beach. |
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Cantabrigian
Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for the long absence. Thank you all for taking the time to answer my questions.
To Trapezius: I have already replied to your message. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:16 am Post subject: |
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Not many Cambridge graduates at KFUPM ! There are more Oxford men. And in the Maths Department there are very few with a British or American background.
Not a bad place to be - despite ( or because of ?) the absence of Oxbridge Wallahs. |
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patrykt
Joined: 18 Aug 2004
Posts: 51
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| Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:56 pm Post subject: KFUPM |
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Hi Canta,
I am also a new hire at KFUPM and am just as curious as you about the ins and outs of life in Dhahran and KFU. As well, I will be with my wife and two small children.
I've heard that KFU is a good place to work. I was shooting for a job in Qatar, but in the end I didn't get it. I later heard that the people who run the show there are psycho, so I am glad to be at KFU. I had a great interview with my new boss in the English department-he was wonderful and I'm excited to start this fall. I don't know about you, but my wife is going to be the canary in a coal mine to determine if we'll prosper there or not. I have a new exciting position and it sounds like it will be great for the kids, but my wife will have to find her niche.
About this dresscode, are nice sandles acceptable at work? I dress well and would like to wear something comfortable.
Is a car necessary to get to the beach? I am sure that we will want to visit it, but we are not planning on having a car. How does one get to and fro? Another thing about the beach, is there some kind of dress code for women? It seems like a silly question, but...?
Regarding a DVD player, I bought one online that is purported to play any DVD from any zone on any TV with any voltage. What the hell, it was only $90. I am American, but I live in Europe and my wife is European. This means that we have a mixed DVD collection and need something that will be able to play both American and European DVDs.
Any other info regarding Dhahran and KFU would be appreciated.
Patrick |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Not many Cambridge graduates at KFUPM ! |
Err, your esteemed boss, actually has a genuine Cambridge Masters (M.Phil) as opposed to the buy-one-get-one-free variety (MA) which yours truly possesses.
Nice to know you think the place functions well despite our presence  |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: KFUPM |
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| patrykt wrote: |
| About this dresscode, are nice sandles acceptable at work? I dress well and would like to wear something comfortable. |
No problem, you can wear any type of sandales, except do not wear it with a tie  .
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| Is a car necessary to get to the beach? I am sure that we will want to visit it, but we are not planning on having a car. |
The car in SA is more than a necessity, especially if you have children. If you hold an American or a British driving license, you can apply for a Saudi one without doing the driving test.
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| Another thing about the beach, is there some kind of dress code for women? It seems like a silly question, but...? |
Regardless if a woman is going to swim in the beach or not, she has to wear the Black Abaya from head to toe.
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| This means that we have a mixed DVD collection and need something that will be able to play both American and European DVDs. |
Be carefull with the DVDs when bringing them with you. There is a possibility that in the airport they will check your DVDs, especially if you have a big quantity.
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| Err, your esteemed boss, actually has a genuine Cambridge Masters (M.Phil) as opposed to the buy-one-get-one-free variety (MA) which yours truly possesses. |
You mean he got his Master from a car boot sale? |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Regardless if a woman is going to swim in the beach or not, she has to wear the Black Abaya from head to toe. |
In public, yes she has to wear the black abaya, however, as far as the beach goes, depends on what type of beach the KFUPM beach is.
I am familiar with Jeddah, and here, there is the public beach (the "Corniche"), and then there are "private beaches".
The public beach is off the main Corniche street in Jeddah, and so, is open to the surroundings. Some women dare go into the water, but of course, with the abaya. No one really swims here in the public beach, and in fact, it is not allowed officially. The water in most areas is polluted and beach is littered with garbage.
The private beaches number about 10-15, and are a recent phenomenon (about 10 years ago). Some are owned by hotels, some by resorts, some by rich businesspeople. Basically, they are closed on 3 sides, and you have to pay to go in (about SR. 60). They have huts and chalets that you can rent hourly or daily (expensive), and the beach is clean and maintained. Inside here, women go around in all shapes and sizes of swimming costumes (including bikinis), and so, Saudis rarely go there as a family (young Saudi guys love to go there though!). People wade, swim, snorkel, and dive here, and the coral reef is gorgeous. They have all the facilities inside for changing and showering, and have restaurants as well. Obviously, these private beaches are an anomaly in SA, as they are still businesses open to the public, but there are no rules of dress here, and the mutawwas have no say there.
Sorry for the long message. |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:00 am Post subject: |
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| trapezius wrote: |
| No one really swims here in the public beach, and in fact, it is not allowed officially. |
Go to Gizan, Shokik, and other places in the south West of SA, you will see Saudi and foreign women swimming in the Red Sea (under the observation of the muttawaas ), in family beach and in public (of course wearing their abayas), and officially are allowed. |
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