Job Discussion Forums

[007]

[Mia Xanthi]

Married people seem to adjust better than single people, for obvious reasons I guess. Muslims adjust better than non-Muslims, and religious people in general seem to me to be able to cope pretty well. Those who do not have a need for a lot of outside entertainment do well, too, especially those who can make their own fun in terms of outdoor activities.

People who need order and predictability cannot cope with KSA, and even people with normal expectations for orderliness find themselves very frustrated with the pervasive lack of efficiency. People who can deal with having their plans changed at the last minute are good candidates for survival in KSA. I believe the correct term for this characteristic is "tolerance of ambiguity" - those who can tolerate a general lack of clarity will do better than others here.

People who do well in close contact with others seem to thrive here, while those with a strong need for privacy do not do well. That's probably not related to the culture but rather to compound living circumstances. There is a lot of forced socializing here, and you spend far more time with colleagues than you would in most other places.

As far as types of teachers go, the more easy-going and flexible adapt better. Those who pride themselves on high standards and who cannot compromise those standards for any reason are just flat-out doomed here. That's not to say that the only ones who do well here are the ones who have no standards, but the ones who are not totally rigid about their standards certainly have an easier time of it under Saudi administration.

Those with previous experience in the ME definitely do better here. No matter how many years you've taught in other regions, you're not really ready for the Magic Kingdom until you've lived in this part of the world. And I don't just mean a Muslim country, because Indonesia or Malaysia won't prepare you...preferably a teacher should have lived in a Muslim Arab country before coming here.

In short, those who thrive in KSA are flexible people who have a sense of humor and can find amusement and entertainment in little daily activities

[Paul in Saudi]

Years ago, an old timer told me, "Whatever you are, Saudi Arabia makes it worse."

I suspect he was right.

[scot47]

A lot depends on your employer too. But even with the best employer in KSA, some people cannot stand it.

Personally I rather like it here. Not sure how I will cope if I ever have to leave !

I rather like the explanation about "tolerance of ambiguity". If you think your way/the American Way/the British Way are RIGHT then you won't make it here.

[redeyes]

Since I have never lived in the Gulf/ME, I can only speculate -- however, I have lived ( for years ) in other areas of the world were Sharia law is harshly enforced, and the same types of people as some of you are loosely describing -- lost their mind there too.

Why is that? Perhaps it's because many of the "cathartic releases" available elsewhere in the world are not to be found in strict Islamic environments?

If someone is under pressure in other environments, they can -- if they so wish -- get blind drunk, carouse to their hearts' content with their workmates, and indulge in a variety of "pleasures/sins" ( delete as applicable!) -- everything from alcohol to dancing to clubbing to loud loud music and a number of unmentionable things too -- all accepted and allowed -- indeed, encouraged, and sometimes staffs' "worth" and social/peer acceptabiity is measured by their level of immersion in such dubious,questionable "pleasures."

In a "Sharia environment", even what one wears, listens to, reads, is all limited -- and one can feel observed or repressed perhaps?

Anyway -- all speculation, drawn from years of experience of "living under Sharia" in another environment.

Interestingly, I'd agree with another poster here -- was it Mia Xanthi?-- who suggested she found deep freindships and relationships in otherwise "harsh and austere" environments like Saudi. I'd agree with that.In some environments I have lived, far away from the bombast and "freedoms/free for alls" of the West -- good , deep communication and enduring friendships can flourish, away from a lot of surface bull****.



( Like another poster stated, whilst I do acknowledge there are some pretty "eccentirc people" in EFL -- I feel it's unfair to label those who can't cope as "weirdos". Many people in other professions would consider many of those who bandy about the term "TEFL weirdo/loser" -- to be pretty much a weirdo too... Glass houses and all that.....Worth bearing in mind).

[nikon]

Even at its best, it's not easy in KSA.

[johnslat]

To my mind, it's all a matter of individual temperament and level of adaptability. To last in Saudi (and I was there for nineteen years) as a "single", I'd say you need to be highly self-sufficient and self-contained, someone who can stand being alone without getting too lonely.
The job, as scot47 mentioned, is also a big factor. If you enjoy your work, that helps immeasurably.
You need to be curious, open, and patient, and a healthy sense of humor is also essential. Having hobbies, such as reading, can also help a lot.
You CAN have a "social life" if you want one badly enough, have a car, and are willing to pursue the opportunities available. I didn't, but I knew others there who lasted (and have lasted) a long time who did so.
And these days, with the Net and satellite TV, being by oneself is a lot easier than it was back in the 80s and early to mid-90s.
Of course, if you incline to "ethnocentrism" or have any latent xenophobia, you're not going to be there long.

[sheikh radlinrol]

Adapting to the Kingdom isn't difficult. I hated the place from day one and hated it on the day I left. Will never again set foot in the horrible place. However, I had a hobby (a time-consuming one) a cushy job, good colleagues and pleasant but dull students. It's easy for the majority of people. You don't have to be Superman to handle the Magic Kingdom.

[cmp45]

[johnslat]

Dear cmp45
Nope, it wasn't consecutive. I arrived in 1980 and I departed (for good) in 2003, 23 years total. So, as you can see, there were four years of breaks in there, the longest being 2 years (2 years, 1 year, I year). My longest consecutive stint was 7 years, next longest (and last) was six.
Regards,
John

[scot47]

I have colleagues who have been her for 30 and more years. Consecutively - with summer vacations.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[lall]

[007]

Well, I think if you work more than 10 years consecutively in the magic kingdom you are expired!! And this is not good at all, at least professionally!!

[lall]