Job Discussion Forums

[Imdramayu]

We shall see. In this particular KSA consulate, my sponsor assures me that they have issued dependent visas alongside the work visa a few weeks ago. I'll let you know what happens.

I'm gonna pop by the consulate this afternoon and see what the counsel has decided. This is my last-ditched effort. If nothing comes of this, then I'll let Cleopetra and Scot47 say "I told you so!" and make alternative plans. Issuing dependent visas alongside a work visa (when the Visa Authorization Letter only lists the work visa) is commonplace in KSA consulates in other countries. It's just consulate is not in the practice of doing so. They need to be encouraged.

[Cleopatra]

[johnslat]

Dear baedbaebok,
Since you seem determined to do it your way, at least, when you go to the consulate, be EXTREMELY patient and NEVER lose your temper or raise your voice.
There seem to be some people, even some who have been in the Kingdom a longish time, who somehow never understand how completely counter-productive that ALWAYS is.
If it's flies you want to catch, stick with the honey; leave he vinegar at home.
Regards,
John

[Griff-James]

You seem a wise and observant chap, John.

What books would you recommend to someone intent on travelling across the world to a culture they're unfamiliar with?

[lall]

[johnslat]

Dear Griff-Jones,
I'm not so sure books would help much (although it's certainly a good idea to find out as much as you can about a country before heading there to live and work.) I think it's going to depend mostly on the personality/character of the individual who goes. From my experience, I'd say how well an individual "adapts" can be judged by where they would be placed on a scale whose extremes are a) chameleons (who can fit in just about anywhere and who have little or no ethnocentricity or susceptibility to "culture shock") to b) leopards (whose spots never change and who seem to think a different culture should adapt to them rather than vice versa.)
I suspect most of us have a pretty good idea of where we fit along that scale - although there do seem to be a sizable majority who are essentially clueless. I still recall how I played "Devil's Advocate" to my second wife before she came with me to the Kingdom. I went into great detail about the conditions, especially for women, there and the restrictions/difficulties she would face. She listened, nodded her head, and assured me that all would be well. After about a week there, she asked me plaintively, "Why didn't you TELL me it was going to be like this?".
No matter how much one might read (or be told) about a different culture,
nothing can really prepare one for being immersed in it.
However, here are two books that might help a bit: "Alice in Wonderland" and "Catch-22."
Regards,
John

[Mia Xanthi]

Johnslat, I'm falling in love with you all over again. (in a non-romantic, don't even know you, dave's esl cafe kind of way) Great book recommendations.

When I went home for the first summer after coming to Saudi Arabia, all of my friends expected me to talk endlessly about my experiences here, as I always had upon coming home from other countries. However, I came home from KSA silent, and my friends wondered why. Of all the places I've been (and it's quite an impressive list, even for the well-travelled EFL folks), KSA is the one place that defies explanation. You cannot explain it to someone who hasn't been here, and it is not worth trying.

Johnslat is on target here: nothing that you read will prepare you for life in the Kingdom, and there is no way to know how you will react before you get here. Even if you've lived in other Muslim/Arab countries for years, this will be a unique experience. It's intense, and some of us find it fascinating. Others just want to bolt as fast as they can and forget they ever came.

[Mia Xanthi]

Note to Baedabok:

[johnslat]

Dear MIa Xanthi,
Aw shucks - I'm terribly flattered. But even though this is strictly platonic perhaps I'd better not mention it to my wife.
Regards,
John

[Cleopatra]

[Imdramayu]

It seems that the KSA consulate has issued permission for my wife, daughter, and I to start the visa application process. It look quite a lot of visits to the KSA consulate to gain this permission. I did heed Johnslat's advice and was very polite and didn't act hurried. I hope I'm not developing...

[Cleopatra]

[johnslat]

Dear baedaebok,
Mabrook - nothing ventured, nothing gained. And here's one suggestion that often worked for me (and others): when you want/need something and the first person you talk to refuses it, don't give up. Try asking someone else who can also provide what you want/need. More often than not, you'll eventually get whatever it is.
Example: when talking with Saudia agents at the airport, trying to arrange stops on my ticket - the first agent told me "No way - that is impossible."
So, I went to another and - lo and behold - what I wanted was immediately accomplished with no fuss or bother.
So, not taking "No" for an answer can prove to be the wise choice.
Regards,
John

[007]

[Imdramayu]

Cleopetra...yes it was my sponsor who requested the KSA consulate to issue dependent visas in addition to my work visa. It wasn't my persuasion or appearance but the fact that I kept bringing the paper with this request to the attention of the consulate.

007, that's synthesis (bringing thoughts from different threads together). I can see that we're climbing up Bloom's. Since I have a KSA drivers license from a few years back, I'm gonna massage Uncle Bander to renew it. With my powers of persuasion, that shouldn't be a problem.

I tossed off the medical this morning and results are ready for pick-up in two days (my Wednesday). Things are right on schedule.

I really look forward to meeting the active posters in this forum who are still resident in KSA: 007, Cleopetra, Scot47, Mia Xanthi, Stephen Jones, JohnSlat(?), and others. Maybe at a KSAALT meeting?