Job Discussion Forums

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Individual circumstances are so different in KSA that it really renders many generalistions invalid.
What your life in Saudi is like depends upon so many variables.
Where do you live?
Are you in the middle of nowhere or are you in the Eastern Province next to Bahrain with a multi exit re-entry visa?
Are you single or married?
How much is your salary ?
What is your workplace like?
One could go on and on....
I also believe that peoples characters do not change that much and a negative person will still be negative no matter where they go and this also applies to whingers...
With the right attitude and the right employer ,location and conditions KSA can indeed be a very rewarding and interesting place however it can also be hell on earth if you have the wrong employer or are in an isolated region.

khmerhit · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2003 9:58 pm Post subject:

Cleopatra noted

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2003 6:03 am Post subject:

I've only been here for two years, and even in that time, I've seen a decline in the number of Western ex-pats and social outlets available. I'm not a big socialite or sporto myslelf, but those who are tell me that a few sports clubs etc have had to close for lack of numbers. Generally, though, most people say that the decline set in gradually after the Gulf War, and more dramatically since the bombings started about five years ago. i doubt things will pick up any time soon.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Staffrooms in saudi are ful of teachers who bitch about the place all the time. Many are misfits and some could not hold down a job anywhere else in the world. Don't listen to the gloomsayers and doomspeakers.

Life in Saudi is still not as bad as it is painted PROVIDED YOU GET A REASONABLE EMPLOYER.

That is crucial. It is not as good as it was but as the world moves steadily to Armageddon, where is ?

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2003 5:54 am Post subject:

Scot is right. Geting the right employer is important everywhere, but here it is crucial. This is because your employer has so much control over your life. Unfortunately, there is no real way of knowing how good - or bad - your employer is until you get here, and then it may be too late to do anything about it.
It's also true what Scot says about there being a LOT of losers in the Saudi ex-pat "community" - all professions. When I read some of the stories on this board - and look back on some of my EFL experiences elsewhere - I count my blessings. That said, I'm out of here this week (!) but hope to return to somewhere in the Gulf after getting my Masters.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2003 11:49 pm Post subject: Masalama

Dear Cleopatra,
Bon Voyage on your journey - and I hope you'll keep posting from wherever you may land.
Regards,
John
P.S. Are you using 4 Winds to ship some of your stuff home? I did and they're good.

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2003 8:47 am Post subject:

Dear John,

Thanks for your good wishes. I do indeed hope to keep on posting from Ireland, and then from ... wherever! As I say, my plan is to come back to the Gulf once I've got that Masters. Unfortunately, I may not have such regular access to the internet at home, but I'll do my best!

I'm using "Ace Cargo" to send my stuff home. Hope they're OK - there are so many cargo companies in Riyadh these days.

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Ali_The_Greatest · Joined: 18 Jan 2013 Posts: 13

Hi everyone,
Some great posts on here about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and what it's like to work in. I have plans to go there after I qualify with my CELTA this Summer.
I have spent time teaching in Korea and Taiwan - however I want to up my game and get ahead. Previously, teaching was a temporary means to an end. Now however, this is what I'm doing, like my REAL job. Therefore I want to raise my prospects, and crucially, get some cash together to fund further study.
I will be on here in the coming months and days, nice to meet you all. Hope we can swap stories, and information.
My door is always open Very Happy

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

These posts are ten years old. Some of the posters (like Albulbul) are probably DEAD !

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 7:42 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

I, for one, certainly am.

Regards,
Dead John

EnglishDoYouSpeakIt · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 151 Location: Saudi Arabia

When I read

"Generally, though, most people say that the decline set in gradually after the Gulf War, and more dramatically since the bombings started about five years ago"

I was confused. Until Scot pointed out the age of the posts.

Regarding the question, I'd say if your in introvert you can do well in Saudi. I know plenty of teachers who are content to put their hours in, then go home and watch tv, do internet stuff, have a weekly trip to the Panda and rinse and repeat. They save their money and TCOB.

What's rough for extroverts can be the limited choices as far as who your friends are. A lot of the time it will be whoever you share a apartment building with. Alcoholics have it rough here, for obvious reasons. They can get their drink on, but rarely to the degree and frequency they desire. Potheads can more easily sate their appetite.

If you love complaining about stuff you'll be in hog heaven here. It seems there are no shortage of teachers who can b and moan from fajr to esha without repeating themselves.

Calm, cool, patient people who recognize that they aren't in Kansas anymore are the ones who make do and make it out richer and sane.

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Today I was at the Tamimi supermarket. There was a young 30 something western (?)couple, (I assume were married) both were dressed in skimpy t-shirts and ratty old jeans. Not so suprising for a man to be dressed this way in Riyadh, but the woman looked like she just crawled out of bed; her hair was piled up in a wild looking mess on top her head and her shabby jeans were torn in gaps exposing her knees Shocked

...they both didn't seem to care how they looked, nor did anyone around them seem to care. In any other country the scene would have been unremarkable, but here it was quite a contrast as every other woman was covered in black from head to toe!
..so much for adhering to the ultra conservative dress code in Riyadh Laughing

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Interesting that the adherents of "Youf Kulchur" in UK cannot get their heads around the idea of an acceptable dress code.

writes "DISGUSTED of Tunbridge Wells" aka scot47