Job Discussion Forums

ama2000 · Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 15

Hello all,

I would highly appreciate it if somebody can give some info about faculty housing at KFUPM. I particular I would like to know if there is a small garden (fenced/not fenced) for the house/apartment, any balcony, etc..

Any info is highly appreciated.

Thanks Smile

kazazt · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 164

what use would a balcony be? There is no view and it would be walled so nobody could see any women.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:55 pm Post subject:

Dear kazazt,

Rehearsals for a production of "Romeo and Juliet," perhaps? A location to put up a clothesline? Or just a good place to stash the brew until it ferments in the heat?

Regards,
John

kazazt · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 164

Might be a tad too hot for the homebrew. On my compound we always either used the kitchen bathroom or the cupboard under the stairs. Still for the cheap seats there will be no stairs but heat is not a problem. Juliet is a problem. Where did you brew up?

ama2000 · Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 15

thank you guys for the reply.
So kazazt you are telling me that there are balconies with walls up in the KFUPM faculty housing!
I saw on google maps that the Ferdaws court has some white "thing" at the back of each apartment, is that a room with open ceiling (I heard about these things from many people)?

Is there any garden related to the apartment/housing unit?

Thanks again

kazazt · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 164

Do not know about balconies on KFUPM baconies if they have them but in my first job in ksa I had a balcony which had walls around it. Gardens as in personal gardens are unlikely but the campus will have Indians or Philipinos who chop down trees and water the grass regularly.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:50 am Post subject:

Dear kazazt,

I used to brew out on the balcony. I was five floors up in an apartment building in a regular neighborhood, not on a compound, just a ten-minute walk from the IPA in Riyadh.
In hot weather, the stuff would be potable and would do the job after only a few days. It tasted like cr*p, but since when have alkies ever cared about the taste?)

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Most houses in Ferdaws have a small courtyard - if downstairs. If they are upstairs they have an "Islamic Balcony", which giveyou access to fresh air (and sunlight !) without exposing your womenfolk to the prying eyes of the Ungodly.

Some houses in Ferdaws have gardens. The whole area is being renovated at the moment and is looking better. It was very run-down for years. Regular maintenance is not a strong point in the Middle East.

ama2000 · Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 15

Thank you so much scot47 ... Smile

that was very useful.
So, let me understand more. The person who lives upstairs has "islamic balcony" but cannot access the courtyard (because it is for whoever is living downstairs)?

BTW, who decides about the housing? Can we talk to somebody if we have a preference?

Is Ferdaws the only court for married faculty (non-saudi)?

Thanks again scot47, I really appreciate your help.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Thre is a variety of housing - even in Ferdaws. The smaller apartments typically have a small courtyard if downstairs for their exclusive use. Upstairs thgere is an "Islamic Balcony" offering access to fresh air and a place to sit or dry clothes, or...........

My understanding is that housing is allocated before arrival. Not everyone is in Ferdaws. There are families accommodated in the apartments at New Shebab. Single and unaccompanied teachers are usually in apartments at Shebab.

Exceptions may be made for those with PhD's from Princeton and winners of the Nobel Prize.

kazazt · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 164

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:54 pm Post subject:

I had a friend who made a beautiful garden out of her little courtyard at KFUPM. Never went there myself, but I saw pictures and they did a lovely job. To my mind, it is worth the money to buy some plants and really make a nice green spot out of your balcony or courtyard. The rest of KSA is colorless and sandy and just plain ugly. One desperately needs to create a little corner of beauty for one's self in such a wasteland.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Compared to other locales, the campus of KFUPM is quite nice. Parkland with developed trees. Places to walk - or even ride a bike.
Try that in Oryx Compound - or downtown Khobar. (Although the Corniche is nice.)

sahara musafir · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 22

I have a related question about the KFUPM housing. Do the university supplied appliances include a washing machine? Have current and past instructors there been pleased with the quality of the furniture?

sahara musafir · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 22

Also, what isn't supplied by the school or available in local shops that you recommend bringing in our limited luggage space?