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[Diana]

Good day to everyone
I've just received quite an interesting offer of working at the Saudi Arabian University as an English teacher. This is a new University in Al Khobar and I was wondering if anyone has some experience of working in that area.
I have my doubts, given that I am a woman, but at the same time it sounds exciting.

If anyone can share any thoughts, please write here or e-mail me.
I'll be grateful for advice.

RGDS
Diana

[anon]

Congratulations on the offer.  I have never been to Saudi Arabia myself, but I researched the possibility.  I have to say that what I've read about conditions for foreign workers, particularly women, was not encouraging.  The general impression is that the work is very well paid, but extremely isolating -- that was the word that kept coming up in descriptions by foreigners.  Foreign workers felt that they were restricted in their activities and movement and that this became a great source of stress.  Also, as a foreign woman, you may be vulnerable to prosecution for crimes that you had never imagined existing before.
Many people, in different professions (I was able to talk to people who worked as engineers or contractors), choose to work in Saudi Arabia with the idea in mind that they will save up their paychecks and then go home.  Do make sure that your employer has a good record of fulfilling their contractual obligations.  
And again, there are obviously wonderful people in Saudi Arabia and you would have the opportunity to learn a great deal.  I decided I wouldn't handle isolation well and also that I couldn't really continue my research there, but if you go in with open eyes, you may avoid those problems.

[AF]

More hearsay.  At a conference once, I had a poster next to an American working in a Saudi university (not a professor, I don't think).  She said that she didn't have too many problems as a woman -- she wore mid-length sleeves all the time and that seems to cover the issue, so to speak.  But she couldn't drive.  She also said the expats seem to cluster and the alcohol prohibition in Islam did some weird things to the social scene.



I also know she's had some problems making it back to the states.

At one point I considered a position in the United Arab Emirates, which I think is a little more open.

[expat in the region]

I have managed to avoid moving to Saudi Arabia for many years but know other people who either are currently working there or have previously worked there.  It is isolating for a woman but not quite as bad as it was just a few years ago.  However, you have to be mindful of your clothing (long sleeves, long skirts etc), your contact (no touching between male and female including shaking hands), and you will be living in a country where no religion - except for a rather severe version of Islam (Wahabi)- is allowed to be celebrated (though I have heard of some "underground" religious services held in different apartments or villas).

Do be sure to make sure that all you need is spelled out in your contract.  Trying to rectify contract problems after getting there is impossible - as it is in any job.

Prepare to live in isolated expat communities - to be restricted in regards to where you go - to have to always rely on others (males) to drive you from one place to the next - and to be around people who may be somewhat preoccupied with what is not available there.  

Also see if you can manage to get out every three months for a few days or so (to Beirut, Athens, Dubai etc) for your own sanity.  Some companies / universities do not allow travel except during official leaves.  You are also going to have to have exit visas etc so getting in and out is not the easiest.  In other words you will probably not be able to decide in the morning that you want to go and then catch a flight that night.

Some people do take their cats / dogs with them for company but they are of course subject to all the usual restrictions. And they can be hard to move in case of an immediate emergency.

The plus side is that you will be able to save money if that is your goal.  Most universities etc pay better than others in the neighboring countries.

Good luck with your decision.  Please let us know what that is.