Job Discussion Forums

mattman · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 5

I'm thinking about teaching English in Saudi Arabia next year.

1)Would it be possible to bring my Korean fiancee? Would she be able to find a job? What kind of VISA could she get?

2)I see that most English schools in Saudi require you to sign a two year contract. Is it possible to sign a one year contract?

3)Do you ever feel that your life is endangered while living in Saudi?

4)Do you just primarily stay on the compound? How's compound living?

Thank you for your time, and maybe I will see you around.

Sincerely,

Mattman

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Thank you for your time, and maybe I will see you around.

I doubt it.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Fiancee no. Wife yes.

I feel threatened when I am in traffic downtown. More danger of being killed by a manic driver than by a bearded Islamist.

cam · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 124 Location: Maine, USA

You need to do some research on the KSA before going there. If you want to bring your Korean fiancee you had better marry her first. It might be a bit difficult for your fiancee to find a job.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 1:15 pm Post subject:

I also really wish some posters would do some preliminary research on KSA before casually saying that you're thinking of working here next year. (BTW if next year means next academic year, get your act together. The visa application process alone can take several months to complete, so if you doh't have a job lined up by now, it's unlikely we'll be seeing you in September).

You will not be able to bring your "fiance" (Korean or otherwise) into the Kingdom. Saudi law does not permit relationships between men and women who are not married to one another. End of story.

I don't agree that most schools have only two-year contracts. However, if you are offered a job with an institution which only gives two-year contracts, it will be two years or no years, I'd imagine.

Do I feel my life is 'endangered'?!? The topic of 'security' in KSA has been dealt with many times - do a search.

Personally I don't spend any time on 'the compound' and have no interest in 'compound living'. But others may be able to provide you with more info. on this 'lifestyle'.

mattman · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 5

Thanks for your detailed reply, Cleopatra.

I plan to come August 2007 or August 2008. In January 2007 (hopefully) she will become Mrs. Mattman.

I have some time to do some research, ask a few questions and I thought this would be a good place to start.

Would anyone else like to participate in the discussion?

Mattman

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

It seems that your questions have been answered. Now if you want to actually do some research, I'd recommend reading the volumes of information on this board.

VS

Anytime now · Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 59

This is one of your many typical bad-mannered responses. You're ALL OVER the forums today. Negative, negative, negative...
Anytime Now

nanosecond · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Saudi Arabia

I believe you will feel endangered here if you drive. Saudis have a way of cutting everyone else off to be first to anywhere. Also they can turn a two lane road into a four lane road just by jamming their cars into any small space, again to be first to anywhere.

There is also a constant low level fear of terrorist attack. However, death this way would probably be so sudden it would be over before you knew it. Unpleasant though, to be taken prisoner.

If you do leave your compound (if you are lucky enough to live in one), especially if walking on streets, it won't take long before your are hassled by young Saudis, honking their horns at you, swearing out of cars at you, sometimes stopping manacingly, throwing stones at you or on occasion driving up on the sidewalk to run you over. You are afterall a symbol of the West, with all that means to any given young Saudi. The place has always been anti-western but lately it has become more so.

Queen of Sheba · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 397

I always find it hard to answer the question "what is Saudi like" because its absolutely like no other place in the world. What else would you like to know that hasnt been posted? Dont even think of bringing your fiancee until she is your wife, even asking that is somewhat of a joke to those of us that are in the society. Yes, it can be dangerous for expats to live, men in particular have been singled out, and not just when driving. There is nothing to do for entertainment so stay away if you are the type who needs nightlife or anything other than a quiet domestic life. The only other way to find out about Saudi is to research online or on the forum, but the reality is that its a very peculiar place with an insular society and its very hard to describe to outsiders. You just have to see it to beleive it.

crashartist1 · Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 164

I have never felt my life has been in danger, except when driving (but the drivers are still worse in Turkey).

Where do you live Nanosecond? Qasim? I walk around Dammam, Al-Khobar, Jeddah, Riyadh, Abha, Taif and Al-Khafji and no one, not ever, has used a bad word for me, tried to run me over, honk their horns at me, throw stones (Saudi's are too lazy to do most of these things anyway).

My wife gets a little harassment here and there if I am not strictly by her side when we are at a mall, but usually no one even pays attention to us. I don't speak a lick of Arabic, I am as white as they come, with full Irish heritage features of red hair, freckles and a reddish orange goatee and in 5 months no one has said anything, remotely harassing to me.

I don't live in a compound, I can't afford it. I do have a fantastic apartment that is amazing, as it as a view of the sea, a gym and pool inside of it. I work for a private language school where the owners are all Saudi's and they are great people who go out of their way to help me. (Sure things are slow to get sometimes and it frustrates me to no end). Everyone on our sponsorship can have a multiple exit/re-entry VISA they help us to buy cars or get loans for anything we need.

I don't make as much as the people in the Universities, the University packages are amazing, but I feel I have a lot more freedom in my work. I don't have to worry about sleeping students, students acting up or many of the other issues I read about here. I feel I will get to keep my sanity a little bit longer by not working for a huge bureaucratic university. I don't finish work until 10pm, but I also don't have to be there until 2pm and I am not busy until 5pm then the time flies by and it's 10pm and time to go out (Is there anything to do before 10pm anyway?).

Saudi Arabia is a contradiction; most of the students are hypocrites. They have to have a certain face to show the public but you know what they are thinking deep down. Bahrain isn't as popular as it is because of foreigners. When you get Saudi friends you listen to them talk and they all have their wives and girlfriends on the side, they have spare apartments where they have parties and make their 'sid' and home brew.

My students drive nice cars and have money dripping behind them as they walk, as many of our students do. In my school we are allowed to go out and hang with the students. This is where it starts to get interesting, I have been taken to football matches, boating trips in both the red sea and the gulf, I have gone out on camel rides into the desert and spent the night. All of this and I have never paid a dime for it. I offered many times to pay, but you are not allowed, you are their guest and they want you to enjoy yourself and be happy. They only want to speak English with you and to enjoy the company of a foreigner, sometimes they want to know about s*x or just speak bad about their own government and say how much they wish they could go to America for school.

I'm lucky, I know this. But sometimes we make our own luck don't we?