Job Discussion Forums

Beast · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 120

Most people get tired of working in KSA at one time or another. The question is..... What would it take in Salary for you to consider working back in the US or wherever you came from? Would 38,000 or 40,000 be enough to lure you away from KSA? How much would it take?

Fatboy · Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 66

Everyone gets tired of Saudi because it's fairly boring and the restrictions get to you eventually. The normal thing is to move back home or to another country and this is normally when you realise the advantages of working in KSA; no bills to pay, a reasonable work load, time for yourself, etc.

Personally, I miss Saudi and think I was better off there than where I am presently at. Surprised

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

You could go back, although I think there might be much happier hunting grounds with perhaps just a little bit less money, but still happier.

Hatcher · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 602

I dont miss the place at all and only wish I had left sooner.

I dont suggest anyone go there.

fledex · Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 342

Beast · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 120

We all have reasons for leaving and teaching overseas. But, how much would it take to consider job in the US? $40,000.... I'd put some serious thought into it. On one side, you wouldn't have as much to spend but on the other side you would have many things which are not available in Saudi. I'm not just talking about Alcohol either.

jaffa · Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Posts: 403

Oh yes. After 5 years I'm sick and tired of it. Currently enjoying the fresh air and green fields of England and wondering if I'll last the remaining 6 months of contract. Reasons...

- Wholly negative society and culture, which seeps into the expat community.
- Surrounded by men ALL the time.
- Some decidedly odd colleagues.
- Some decidedly jealous colleagues.
- Truly awful climate + pollution.
- Entirely unimaginative and dull students due to schools brainwashing and corrupting inquisitive minds.
- Sand.
- Prayer time.

Etc.

Jonasval · Joined: 01 Sep 2014 Posts: 7

It takes a certain type of personality to live in Saudi for more than a few years. Most of us on this forum don't like it, but there are many out there that do, and you won't find them posting on Dave's ESL.

I've met them. The near-retirement-age-lifer that has a couple more years before being kicked out and shipped back. The disgraced former banker who's trying to pick up the pieces of his life. The newly divorced middle aged man looking for a career change. The former public school teacher who needs quiet time to write his books.

Truly an odd bunch, but one thing they all had in common was the ability to remain optimistic while everybody else grumbled and complained, and not be pulled down into misery by the negative atmosphere surrounding them at work or elsewhere. And I think that's a pretty good skill to have.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 8:43 pm Post subject:

Dear Jonasval,

" . . . . you won't find them posting on Dave's ESL."

Oh, I don't know. I went there in '80, at the age of 37 and finally left in 2003, having spent a total of 19 (non-continuous years - I did take some breaks in a vain attempt to preserve my sanity) years.

I enjoyed my work there, and, especially in the pre-satellite TV/Internet years got an awful lot of reading done.

Oh, it wasn't all fun times, for sure, but if a person's self-contained, and
self-reliant, doesn't depend of outside diversions, can adapt to different cultures, and has a good employer and some long-term goals, it's not only doable but even fairly enjoyable, much of the time.

But you do have to be one of an "odd bunch."

Regards,
John

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

jaffa · Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Posts: 403

Abu Wanas · Joined: 17 Aug 2013 Posts: 13

Oh, absolutely sick & tired of it, but in the words of Tina Turner:

You keep your mind on the money
Keeping your eyes on the wall

Anyone who says they're here for the cultural experience and not the money is seriously deluded.

Eid Mubarak

http://www.metrolyrics.com/private-dancer-lyrics-tina-turner.html

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

24,000 a year would get me back to where I'm heading, my feet wouldn't even touch the ground. As it is, I am looking forward to returning there for much less than that in either 9 or 21 months time. But after 7 years here, I'm not really sick of the place, more just sick of teaching (and especially the admin BS that comes with it).

Mushkilla · Joined: 17 Apr 2014 Posts: 320 Location: United Kingdom

johnslat · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 12:29 pm Post subject:

Dear Mushkilla,

Yup, I'm still working - why not? I love what I do, so what sense would it make for me to "retire?"

Regards,
John