Job Discussion Forums

[Allizwell]

For those of you who have had "good jobs" in both countries i.e., prep year-type programs that require and MA and experience. Was the move from KSA to UAE good in any way? Did your overall quality of life improve significantly (especially if you are single)? I've been in Saudi for a few years and have made a very nice living at relatively well-run institutions (by Saudi standards), but I'm tiring of the bleak, lifeless, un-Western-friendly environment and gender segregation of Riyadh (with the exception of life in the DQ and on Western compounds) and I'm looking for a change of environment since I'm single. When I have visited Dubai/Abu Dhabi, I have always been intrigued by the possibility of having a little more social freedom if I worked in the UAE while continuing to earn about the same as I am currently. I've researched the salaries and have concluded that you can save about the same amount of money if you are not extravagant in your lifestyle. Anyone have any experiences they'd like to share? Do you recommend a switch, or is it not worth the hassle of moving to another country?...

[Gulezar]

Saudi is very bleak compared to the UAE. The UAE lifestyle can eat a hole in your pocket. However, there are many thngs to do in the UAE that don't cost anything. There are places that pay as well as Saudi, and some pay even better than some places in Saudi.

[volgaman]

Two words: Housing allowance.

I could live in a spacious villa in Saudi on my housing allowance. Alas in Abu Dhabi it only affords me a studio apartment.

I've also noticed during my current trip to Saudi that the Carrefour across the road at Granada Mall is a lot cheaper than the Airport Road Carrefour in Abu Dhabi.

But the fact that I can get a decent pint in Abu Dhabi means the above is completely irrelevant.

[Middle East Beast]

I agree with Gulezar and volgaman. Prior to the UAE I'd only experienced KSA in the Middle East (with some weekend escapes to Bahrain when possible). Some of my observations after moving to the UAE:

--women everywhere, western ones uncovered
--mixed gender swimming and other physical fitness activities at the health clubs.
--ability to leave anytime you want (e.g., want to take a weekend trip to Turkey? Go online, buy your ticket, and AMF!); you don't even have to tell anyone!
--women work everywhere
--dating is allowed
--liquor is legal (after a week teaching those girls at FMC having that Jack Daniels on the rocks with a buddy was a blessing )
--pork products are available (it was fun going on a weekend run in the morning with a buddy and then cooking a huge breakfast including sausage and bacon!)
--movie theaters galore
--nightclubs
--some good snorkeling spots

Generally speaking, I found a sense of freedom in the UAE (by Middle East standards, of course) that was absent in Saudi Arabia. For me, KSA was like a big prison.

Ironic, though, that even with all the pluses I've listed I have to say that the JOB I had at HCT was the worst ever.

I guess it's about quality of life, especially if you can find a job in the UAE that pays as well as most in KSA and you can deal with all the BS the institution will throw at you.

MEB

[Allizwell]

Thanks to all of you for your input. Through your GREAT examples, I can now imagine myself working there and having a nice, normal Western life. It definitely sounds like a place I want to be even if it costs me a little more money and perhaps a smaller flat. I'll take that trade-off anytime! Now I must find a decent employer over there. I know...that's the hard part..

[It's Scary!]

Might I suggest the Abu Dhabi Women's College of the Higher Colleges of Technology?

It's called "Reverse Psychology"!

[Captain_Fil]

[Vancouver Vic]

May I suggest you read HCT Sucks first!

[republocrat]

I second that, and MOST heartily!!

[robinbanks]

You can't get it any more,can you?Now that really sucks!

[Middle East Beast]

Read it and heed it!

MEB

[mimi_intheworld]

Allizwell - you will not be able to live an entirely Western-style life here in Abu Dhabi. I say this as I sit at work in my capacious (and, may I say, awesome) abaya. Your actions WILL be watched and judged, and of course, anything you say can and will be used against you - with or without a court of law.

On the other hand, I am able to drive (I don't), wear Western clothing (I choose weekends only), travel freely both about the country and around the world (I cannot wait!), and enjoy the odd grape beverage or two (I absolutely do). My job includes a reasonable flat (though from the statements of some of my fellow teachers, this appears to be anything but reasonable), full medical coverage, and a few other bonuses. It does not include a transportation allowance (which sucks).

As others have said, the UAE lifestyle (hello, shopping!) can burn a hole in your pocket. I've been here for two whole months--wait! Three!--and have managed to save about $1000 US. No doubt I'd save about eleventy-seven times that were I living and working on a compound in KSA. But whatever. I enjoy my school (I teach at secondary school, not university - from the HCT posts, that seems to be a good thing!) and my co-workers. And shopping. So, I mean, all things being equal, I'm happier here than I was living and working in my most favourite city in the world, London.

No doubt this excessively long essay isn't much help to you, but maybe it is a little bit.

And maybe I should just shut up.

[veiledsentiments]

Just to add... a female teacher required to wear an abaya is very unusual and only exists now with the ADEC contract putting teachers into the public schools. From what I have heard, this is mainly a requirement of individual schools, not all of them.

No abayas at university level or on the street for expat, non-Muslim, women.

VS

[Gus Barkley]

I've never heard of western women being required to wear the abaya anywhere. I'm rather stunned. Mimi, what are the men required to wear? I put on the kandoora for National Day (start growing the beard tomorrow), but I'd rather not wear one every day!

[2buckets]

Some western women at ADM wear abayas so as not to be harassed by the director and his obsession with "dress code".