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FloridaTEFL
Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 66
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 Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:12 pm Post subject: What is LIFE like in SA? |
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I'm considering a move to Saudi Arabia, mostly for the money I admit. I would like to try for a university position, but I'm confused about what life would be like there.
I read stuff about living on compounds and not having much to do. Is this true? Can you leave a compound? Are you free to wander around the city? Is it safe? Are western products easily found? What restrictions are there that might take some getting used to?
I know these are general questions and a lot of it would depend upon where one lives - - but I'm finding it difficult to wrap my mind around what it *might* be like to live there.
Any info is appreciated!!! |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Grendal
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Posts: 861
Location: Lurking in the depths of the Faisaliah Tower underground parking.
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:10 am Post subject: |
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You're so kind John. I thought it was a rhetorical question.
Grendal |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:57 am Post subject: |
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To answer your question we have to know more about you !
Male or female ?
Muslim or non-Muslim ? |
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desert_traveller
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 335
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 10:29 am Post subject: |
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dear OP
there is no life in saudi arabia
there is money, though
good luck,
me |
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lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:47 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I read stuff about living on compounds and not having much to do. |
You will probably not be living on a compound unless the university has their own compound. As they are too expensive for a lowly teacher to afford unless you are sharing with someone or two people. I do not live on a compound btw.
In Jeddah there is a lot to do. Just depends who you know. I have been here for just over 4 months and I am sometimes so busy I do not have to to rest!
Private beaches, Snorkelling, Consulate parties and events, Gym classes (expensive), Jeddah Film Festival, Eating out, Smoking Shisha at some cafes, Reading books at starbucks, Shopping, sports (some friends belong to clubs) etc etc. All cost's money tho!
| Quote: |
| Is this true? Can you leave a compound? |
In Jeddah you can! Even in Buraidah I left the hotel, but I got stalked by wierdos in their cars even though I was wearing a veil (we had to wear a veil there but in Jeddah we don't even wear a headscarf). You just have to take down their license plate number and they drive away as quickly as possible!
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| Are western products easily found? |
Everything you could ever want is available at DANUBE except for PORK and ALCOHOL of course. If you are in a small town you will find most things you need at a hyper panda. In Riyadh they have some different stores people shop at.
What restrictions are there that might take some getting used to?
Depends where you are... abaya, headscarf, veil (in the very very conservatibe areas), not travelling alone in a taxi in some really conservative places, everything closing during prayer... |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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| lizziebennet wrote: |
What restrictions are there that might take some getting used to?
Depends where you are... abaya, headscarf, veil (in the very very conservatibe areas), not travelling alone in a taxi in some really conservative places, everything closing during prayer... |
What if our original poster is a male Lizzie? 
VS |
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FloridaTEFL
Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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Who needs Google when I've got you? Thank you for the links! |
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FloridaTEFL
Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| lizziebennet wrote: |
What restrictions are there that might take some getting used to?
Depends where you are... abaya, headscarf, veil (in the very very conservatibe areas), not travelling alone in a taxi in some really conservative places, everything closing during prayer... |
What if our original poster is a male Lizzie?
VS |
Sigh. How I do hate labels. But yes, I'm a male. Non-Muslim. I guess non-Muslim church services are out of the question? Assuming I value my life, that is. |
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