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FloridaTEFL
Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 66
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 Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:12 pm Post subject: What is LIFE like in SA? |
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I'm considering a move to Saudi Arabia, mostly for the money I admit. I would like to try for a university position, but I'm confused about what life would be like there.
I read stuff about living on compounds and not having much to do. Is this true? Can you leave a compound? Are you free to wander around the city? Is it safe? Are western products easily found? What restrictions are there that might take some getting used to?
I know these are general questions and a lot of it would depend upon where one lives - - but I'm finding it difficult to wrap my mind around what it *might* be like to live there.
Any info is appreciated!!! |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Grendal
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Posts: 861
Location: Lurking in the depths of the Faisaliah Tower underground parking.
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:10 am Post subject: |
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You're so kind John. I thought it was a rhetorical question.
Grendal |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:57 am Post subject: |
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To answer your question we have to know more about you !
Male or female ?
Muslim or non-Muslim ? |
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desert_traveller
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 335
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 10:29 am Post subject: |
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dear OP
there is no life in saudi arabia
there is money, though
good luck,
me |
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lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:47 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I read stuff about living on compounds and not having much to do. |
You will probably not be living on a compound unless the university has their own compound. As they are too expensive for a lowly teacher to afford unless you are sharing with someone or two people. I do not live on a compound btw.
In Jeddah there is a lot to do. Just depends who you know. I have been here for just over 4 months and I am sometimes so busy I do not have to to rest!
Private beaches, Snorkelling, Consulate parties and events, Gym classes (expensive), Jeddah Film Festival, Eating out, Smoking Shisha at some cafes, Reading books at starbucks, Shopping, sports (some friends belong to clubs) etc etc. All cost's money tho!
| Quote: |
| Is this true? Can you leave a compound? |
In Jeddah you can! Even in Buraidah I left the hotel, but I got stalked by wierdos in their cars even though I was wearing a veil (we had to wear a veil there but in Jeddah we don't even wear a headscarf). You just have to take down their license plate number and they drive away as quickly as possible!
| Quote: |
| Are western products easily found? |
Everything you could ever want is available at DANUBE except for PORK and ALCOHOL of course. If you are in a small town you will find most things you need at a hyper panda. In Riyadh they have some different stores people shop at.
What restrictions are there that might take some getting used to?
Depends where you are... abaya, headscarf, veil (in the very very conservatibe areas), not travelling alone in a taxi in some really conservative places, everything closing during prayer... |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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| lizziebennet wrote: |
What restrictions are there that might take some getting used to?
Depends where you are... abaya, headscarf, veil (in the very very conservatibe areas), not travelling alone in a taxi in some really conservative places, everything closing during prayer... |
What if our original poster is a male Lizzie? 
VS |
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FloridaTEFL
Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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Who needs Google when I've got you? Thank you for the links! |
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FloridaTEFL
Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| lizziebennet wrote: |
What restrictions are there that might take some getting used to?
Depends where you are... abaya, headscarf, veil (in the very very conservatibe areas), not travelling alone in a taxi in some really conservative places, everything closing during prayer... |
What if our original poster is a male Lizzie?
VS |
Sigh. How I do hate labels. But yes, I'm a male. Non-Muslim. I guess non-Muslim church services are out of the question? Assuming I value my life, that is. |
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FloridaTEFL
Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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| lizziebennet wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I read stuff about living on compounds and not having much to do. |
You will probably not be living on a compound unless the university has their own compound. As they are too expensive for a lowly teacher to afford unless you are sharing with someone or two people. I do not live on a compound btw.
In Jeddah there is a lot to do. Just depends who you know. I have been here for just over 4 months and I am sometimes so busy I do not have to to rest!
Private beaches, Snorkelling, Consulate parties and events, Gym classes (expensive), Jeddah Film Festival, Eating out, Smoking Shisha at some cafes, Reading books at starbucks, Shopping, sports (some friends belong to clubs) etc etc. All cost's money tho!
| Quote: |
| Is this true? Can you leave a compound? |
In Jeddah you can! Even in Buraidah I left the hotel, but I got stalked by wierdos in their cars even though I was wearing a veil (we had to wear a veil there but in Jeddah we don't even wear a headscarf). You just have to take down their license plate number and they drive away as quickly as possible!
| Quote: |
| Are western products easily found? |
Everything you could ever want is available at DANUBE except for PORK and ALCOHOL of course. If you are in a small town you will find most things you need at a hyper panda. In Riyadh they have some different stores people shop at.
What restrictions are there that might take some getting used to?
Depends where you are... abaya, headscarf, veil (in the very very conservatibe areas), not travelling alone in a taxi in some really conservative places, everything closing during prayer... |
Wow. Thanks for the info Lizzie! Very nice.
I'm a guy but I already get lots of strange attention from men in Korea so maybe I should pick up a veil just in case. Nah, can't be any worse in SA.  |
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lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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lol, yep VS he's a male
The abaya and veil will still be something he has to get used to but he probably won't be followed by cars and he will be able to catch a taxi alone lol!
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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Dear FloridaTEFL,
"I guess non-Muslim church services are out of the question?"
Depends - if you're in Riyadh, you can attend services in thew Diplomatic Quarter at the embassy (sorry, don't know the schedule and I'm unsure whether such services are offered at the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran)
But you could e-mail them:
JEDDAH
CONTACT US
If you are an American residing in Saudi Arabia and have any questions, contact us:
American Citizen Services,
Consular Section
U.S. Consulate General
Phone: (966-2) 667-0080
Fax: (966-2) 669-3098
P.O. Box 149, Jeddah 21411
Email: [email protected]
RIYADH
CONTACT US
Please send all questions regarding non-immigrant visas to [email protected]. The visa section is no longer accepting phone calls. All questions must be submitted by email. Thank you.
From Saudi Arabia:
American Embassy
P.O. Box 94309
Riyadh 11693
Saudi Arabia
From the United States:
American Embassy
Unit 61307
APO AE 09803
Telephone: 9661-4883800
Fax: 9661-4887360
Hours of Operation:
Saturday - Wednesday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Email: [email protected]
DHAHRAN
CONTACT US
The Consulate is open from Saturday through Wednesday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. In an emergency, a duty officer is contactable at 03-330 3200 ext. 3003. The U.S. Citizen Services Section hours as follows:
Saturday: 1:00-3:30
Monday: 1:00-3:30
Tuesday: 1:00-3:30
Wednesday: 1:00-3:30
Our Mailing address, telephone numbers and fax are:
Main Telephone: (966-3) 330-3200
Fax: (966-3) 330-0464
P.O. Box 38955, Dhahran Airport, 31942, Saudi Arabia
To contact the Consular Section at the Consulate please use the following e-mail, telephone and fax numbers:
Tel: 00966-3-330 3200 ext. 3040, 3089 or 3120
Fax: 00966-3-330 6816
E-mail: [email protected]
To contact the Commercial Section Please use the following contact details:
Tel: 00966-3-330 3200 ext. 3147, 3137 or 3065
Fax: 00966-3-330 2190
E-mail: [email protected]
or call the main consulate number.
"Nah, can't be any worse in SA"
Oh yes - it can!
Regards,
John |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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People in theKofSA do the same sort of things as people everywhere on Planet Earth. they get up in the morning, have breakfast, and go about their daily business.
Why demonise the population of a country just because they do things a bit differently ?
As they say in Germany, "Hier kocht man auch mit Wasser !" |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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Dear scot47,
Demonize?? WHat post is that? Did it get pulled?
Regards,
John |
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saharastars
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 107
Location: Wonderland
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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Wassup wid da German Scottie? why can't we all be normal and speak American or even Scottish? I live in hope
Anyways wasn't German in Alien 3? |
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