Job Discussion Forums

philipjames · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 37

I am considering accepting a job to work in Saudi Arabia. I'm not hearing many positive things though. But surely it can't be all that bad. If it was, noone would be there. I would appreciate hearing about any positive experiences from Saudi Arabia.

Also, I would appreciate hearing about anyone's views of the SABIS education system.

Thank you in advance,
Jameson

h-train · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:38 am Post subject:

Well, the majority of the benefits are financial. I've been here 3.5 months and here's my take:

1.) Great, cheap food
2.) Sunny weather (OK, I know it will get hot soon...)
3.) Absolutely no bills apart from food/cell phone/internet
4.) Much more professional colleagues than you'd find in Asia
5.) An opportunity to learn about Arab culture
6.) A (potentially) good resume bullet
7.) Lots 'o cash (of course)
8.) Street cred

freesoul · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:51 am Post subject:

diced260 · Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 80

Jameson,

I followed these boards pretty closely for quite some time while making the decision to go to Saudi, and so I think I understand where you're coming from. I think the bottom line, with regards "negativity" on the board, is that there are risks involved in this line of work. Whether one perceives them as large or small is an individual thing.

Beyond that, however, there seems to be a lot of ego-massaging. I'm not trying to "put anyone down", but rather, just want to suggest that some of what we see here are natural (and uncritical) responses/reactions to being considered, relatively, lacking in "status". This, I think, explains some of what we find on the Saudi board.

And then there is the to-be-expected evidence of people who are still struggling to adjust to a different culture, different way of being in the world.

And then, I'll take another step back, there are people who, regardless of the amount of time in the ME, appear to have made absolutely no attempt to understand their "hosts".

I don't know if any of this is helpful...just my two cents.

-diced

h-train · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:10 pm Post subject:

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:36 pm Post subject:

Realistically, most expats, with the exception of some devout Muslims, are here primarilly for the money. If the salary pacakages were not so attractive, very few of us would come here. But aside from the money, other advantages of life in the Kingdom include:

- A very easy, relaxed lifestyle;
- The chance to get first-hand knowledge of an intriguing culture (though that wears off a bit after the first year or two!);
- A chance to work with people from all over the world;
- A good base for seeing other parts of the ME and/or Asia;
- Pleasant climate for about half the year;
- Lots of stories to tell the folks back home!

I'm sure there are lots of other good things too (no, really, I am!) I just can't seem to think of them right now!

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

h-train · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:40 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:55 pm Post subject:

The gaping maw of saudi awaits you...

NCTBA

kazazt · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 164

johnslat · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:30 pm Post subject:

Dear kazazt,

"folks back home are not interested"

Hey, congratulations on being named spokesperson for the "folks back home."

Lawrence liked it. So did Gertrude Bell. And Richard Burton (not the one who married Liz Taylor) did, too.

As the Spanish proverb says, "He who would bring home the wealth of the Indies must carry the wealth of the Indies with him."

Regards,
John

h-train · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:56 pm Post subject:

OP,
I went through your same predicament and the bottom line is that you'll just never really know until you've done it. Results will vary and it's a craps shoot sometimes as well. I'd rather be in Saudi than Korea any month of the year though, for whatever that's worth.

kazazt · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 164

All 3 of them were not TEFLers and why did you not contest the other posters being the spokesman for folks back home.

johnslat · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:26 pm Post subject:

Dear kazart,

" . . . why did you not contest the other posters being the spokesman for folks back home."

The only other poster that I see mentioning the "folks back home" was Cleopatra, who would be a spokeswoman if she were speaking for them, which she didn't. Her post said, "Plenty of stories to tell the folks back home," which makes no claim on the hearer's interest or lack of it.
Your post, however, seems to speak for the "folks back home," all of whom you claim "are not interested."

If by "folks back home," you meant only the people that you know (all of whom were, presumably, not interested,) then I apologize, but there are, in my experience at least some "folks back home" who were/are very interested indeed.

Regards,
John