Although one may be an American citizen, there can be circumstances when ones first sense of home and acceptance may not necessarily be America. In some cases, home, security, happy memories, acceptance and friends may equate to another country such as Saudi Arabia. One American shares her candid experiences what it was like to be born as an “Aramco Brat” (which is a term of endearment) and spend both childhood and tween years in Saudi Arabia feeling perfectly at ease. Her years spent in Saudi Arabia were formulative years which molded her into the independent and intelligent woman she is of today. She gives us a special glimpse of childhood and special memories…
OKay, so I was born in Dammam and lived on the ARAMCO compound in Ras Tanura on the Gulf till I was
12 years old. We were about an hour from Al Khobar, which we frequented quite a bit, and right outside a small Saudi city, Rahima. We spent quite a bit of time off of the compound and traveling around the area. We went to Bahrain quite frequently as well as Dammam, and Dhahran,the largest of the ARAMCO compounds. I rode camels as a child and went to Saudi souks and bazaars. My parents were both teachers for ARAMCO and during the gulf war, my mom took my brother and I back here to the states, while my dad stayed and helped with things on the compound. I remember leaving so quickly and in “emergency” mode, as Americans were urged to leave, because we were only right across the gulf from Kuwait. When we returned, we carried on life as normal, the only life I really new. We had rocks instead of lawn, palm trees and were only fifty feet from the beach. We had quite bad humidity because we lived on the gulf and I can remember the days waking up and the windows would be soaking wet from it, it looked like it had rained, yet of course it had not. I especially miss the food, the schwarmas, the sweet bread cooked in the outdoor oven. I first got my taste for Orangina in Saudi, that was when you couldn’t get it in the states, only overseas, and last year when I finally found it in a grocery store here in the states, I was so excited and it totally brought me back. I remember when the first McDonalds went into Khobar, we were so excited. And when Kentucky Fried Chicken went into Rahima, 
we couldn’t believe it. When I was growing up there, Saudi was getting its first real taste of western culture, McDonalds, satellite dishes, etc, and I remember thinking even as a child, that Saudi has such a rich culture, why do they need these western things? It’s ironic, I can see now obviously how nice it must be for Saudis to have these things, but at the time I thought the country was so intriguing and cultural, that I found it sad they wanted these western things and how much everything was changing.
My time there was amazing. When my parents informed me that we were leaving, a few years before I would have to be sent to boarding school abroad if we had stayed because ARAMCO schools only go to 9th grade, it was really hard for me. I had to face the fact that the friends I had made and the only life I had ever known, with the fact that I might never see them again, I had a really hard time. I was leaving behind more than just people, I was leaving behind a life, and a culture I had become so attached to. The first year in the States, my parents who had known life in the US before fit in just fine, so did my little brother who was really too young to know Saudi as his home. But the first year was really difficult for me, I had a hard time adjusting to this new way of life and I sort of had a lot of years ahead, finding out who I was, adjusting to life as an American living in a little city in the states, as to an American who was born in Saudi Arabia and lived half her life there.
It’s still hard now for me sometimes. Sometimes I have days where I miss everything about it and it’s hard to talk to people about it, even those that are closest to me because they have absolutely no idea what that entails. When I tell people I was born and raised there, their first reaction is “WHY?” The western world has a very narrow vision of Saudi and I know that after I graduate college this March, I will most likely return back overseas, or at least I will in the near future. Saudi taught me a lot about myself and when I started really coming into my own, it was that life in Saudi that I drew from for inspiration.
Filed under: America, culture, friendship, Interview, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi Living, travel, Uncategorized Tagged: | America, culture, culture shock, customs, desert, home, KSA, moving, places, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel
A really nice insight into the life of an “Aramco Brat” which I had just read about in another context. This young woman describes well the adolescent and young adult task of putting together an identity, and how a dual identity can be challenging but ultimately enriching. I have seen many university students in therapy with similar stories of cultural dislocation, or coming from mixed backgrounds and they most often draw on “the best of both worlds” to feel comfortable and make an meaningful contribution to society at home or abroad.
I understand where the “Aramco Brat” comes from. I was born in the States but then moved to Thailand when I was 13 until I was just shy of 18. Thailand is still home to me even though I have spent less then have of my life there. Unfortunately, for us bi-culturally raised folk adjusting can be easy but feeling like you fit in at either place hard. I spent years wishing I was “normal” like everyone else. Now I look back and bless the fact my Dad decided he wanted to go home. It gave me a much broader understanding of the world to live outside of the States. I appreciate and see both the good and the bad of both countries and try to draw the good from each. I always encourage everyone I meet to go somewhere and live there for awhile. I think nothing broadens a person’s mind so much as when you have to live as a minority in a different culture.
I have a friend who was raised on Aramco Dhahran and so was her husband. They ended up marrying and moving back to Aramco Dhahran.. she spoke of so missing Saudi for the years she didn’t live there as an adult and was just so happy to be back. I was newly here and thought she was crazy
But aramco life is a life all on its own.. it is like living in america (especially years ago) yet still being in Saudi.
Very intersting interview!
I find it sad that ”western culture” is equalled to MacDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken. I totally refuse to eat at those places, and they aren’t ”Western”, they are American commercial fastfood at it worst. The denomination ”culture” is wholy out of place.
at least when applied to America! (@Aafke)
I can really relate to this, having spent ages 10-14 in Indonesia. Those are pretty formative years and I definately came back to the US something of a mess.
I had to have a lot of counselling to get through “re-entry adjustment”. I also joined a group called Global Nomads, for which I am incredibly grateful. Teenagers like me who had spent a good portion of their life overseas finding themselves in their native country. I remember thinking that the kids in my US public school were a bunch of ignorant morons who thought Jakarta was in Wisconsin (no joke, some kid actually thought this, I will never forget wanting to slap him).
A great publication that can be found on the US State Department’s website now, though I had it in book form, is called “According to my passport, I’m coming home”.
I am so grateful for my experiences though, and feel that my siblings and I were incredibly lucky to have them.
Nzingha and Monica–thanks for sharing your stories and experiences, and Monica for your advice about counselling, peer groups, books, and online resources. After a rough patch most people in this situation come out the better for their international experience (including those who went to boarding school). There is a lot written now on “Third Culture children”, and Aramco has an organization for “Aramco Brats” to share their unique culture
Sorry, premature submission. Re: Aramco Brats see
http://www.aramco-brats.com/
OnigiriFB–thanks for sharing too. The kinds of international experiences you describe are particularly “mind opening”.
Aafke and American Bedu–agreed. There is more to Western Culture whether European or North American than junk food (not all fast food is junk food but all junk food is fast).
the interview snapshot has come out very lively. it took me to my younger days
the place one takes birth and enjoys childhood would ever be dearer to the heart
thanks to chiara for link
First off, I want to say, as I am the young woman that wrote this post, that I have found everyone’s comments to be so intriguing and understanding. It’s so nice to hear, other than all my friends from Saudi, that people all around the world have had similar experiences. It’s often easy to forget that and feel like you are the only one who feels like that… so thank you for all your comments.
As far as the comment made by Aafke about the fast food… that was merely my perspective as a child as when we would return to the states on repat…fast food was such a treat because we never had it in Saudi. Then one day, all of these “fast food” places kind of popped up… that was all that was meant by that comment.
Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments. I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Much as I cant stand many of the practices that go on here in the Middle East…after having lived here more than half my life ….I really felt like a fish out of water when I went back home for either visits…or for my recent two month stay. More of it has rubbed off on me than I thought…or that I would prefer…lol.
I understand coolred. I’ve become so accustomed to living outside of the US that when I’m there, after a certain length of time I get restless to be “back out.”
Casey–thank you for coming forward and sharing your impressions of our comments. I understood your reference to fast food as you intended it, but thought the other comments deserved a comment, especially since fast food chains are in the vanguard of American cultural influence all over the world, and identified as such.
Childhood delight in McDonalds and the like seems universal, especially when it is a cultural treat. My nephew has a beautiful letter from his first 1/2 day in daycare (age 3) in which the teacher describes how he organized the class on the playground to join him on his “train” to take them all to McDonalds–although he had never been there in his little life. He now thinks Christmas dinner would be better if it included chicken fingers. Hopefully his culinary tastes will improve since he already has refined his cooked meat eating to imported Italian prosciutto only.
Thank you again for your candid interview and comment.
Living in a compound is always nice, especially for those expats who come from very different cultures. But there is always another side to this issue. One tends to interact lesser with the local culture and traditions, when living in compounds.
I started living in a compound once I turned 12, and I can already feel that I am more westernized (possitively) because all the people living in compounds are expats and hence you interact with them more.
Thanks Casey, for the interview and its always good to hear possitive experiences from people of our country.
On a different note, does anyone know about “HOME: ARAMCO brats story”? is it released? Any takes?
Yes in US (Washington DC premiere), will premiere in Saudi Aramco in March 2009
http://www.bratstory.com
For all things Aramco Brat, reunions, alumni contact info, local groups, business, social and job opportunites, cultural productions, chatroom etc. check out their excellent website as referenced above
http://www.aramco-brats.com/
PS DVD and Soundtrak available from same Brat Story site (awaiting moderation)
And very cute Aramco Brats’ Brats appear on Aramco Brats site (above and awaiting moderation)–a homesick Aramcon’s or Aramco Brat’s dream site.
have got addicted to this site
early morning would be seeing a new and wonderful post
today am disappointed
sister, is everything is fine at your end?
Srinivas,
I think wordpress had an early morning problem hence delay of the daily post. I sure do not want to disappoint you! (smile)
Regards,
Carol
Thanks for sharing this interview.. its nice seeing this perspective. I just wanted to ask, does the person you interviewed feel at home in the US now? My problem was that I found that after I moved from place to place after living in a particular country for a while was that I have never found a place to call home, not the place i was born in, not the counry in which I hold a passport to, nor the country I am living in and will most likely live in for the rest of my life.
Anyway, thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome Om Lujain and I’m sure Casey will be popping in and answer the question directly.
Om Lujain–while waiting for Casey’s answer, you might want to google “Third culture” children who include those who are bi- or tri- cultural, and some who have moved very frequently like military, diplomatic, missionary, or international business children to find your “peer group” and their positive coping. Also there is research showing that it is often false to feel one needs to have a single as opposed to a composite identity, and that one can create a home feeling that sometimes isn’t fully recognized until one leaves “home”. Or as Stendahl (French) said “Que j’ai bien fait de venir en Italie”.
Chiara- Thank you very much for the comment… the concept is interesting.. and I will be sure to google the ‘third’ culture children… I have personally always felt lost.. and never truly felt I belonged anywhere.. anyways.. thank you and I will check it out now..
We spent five years in Saudi Arabia and all of my children agree they were the best years of their lives. A restraint on the modern way of life, that I personally feel is reprehensible. However on the subject of fast food, my children never ate a burger or pizza until we arrived in K.S.A.
Om Lujain–glad to be of help. I’m sure you will find, as many mothers of third culture children did to their relief, that these children do very well in life, and often continue a global existence.
Denise–thanks for your perspective. I’m sure many children would say the same, and from my expat experience in Hong Kong it is often harder to avoid fast food chains abroad than at home.
As to Lujain’s question for me, you know, I always hate it when I meet someone new and they ask me where I’m from or where my home is because I never quite know how to answer it. For me, I guess I am the kind of person that is fine never having a “home” so to speak in that I like to move around and experience different places, however no, I feel comfortable in the US but I still feel like a part of me is missing, that I have a hole to fill or something. I’m applying for jobs right now because I graduate college in a month and I am kind of hoping for an opportunity overseas somewhere because I feel like in a way, I feel like that’s “going home.” It’s interesting and I am going to google bicultural children too… sounds interesting.
I also wanted to let you guys know I posted a piece on my blog about what it feels like to be a third culture kid… if you’re interested in reading it.
http://cmartpage.blogspot.com/
I’m from the planet Earth.
Casey–thanks for your comment and I’m happy that googling bicultural and third culture children worked out so well for you. I read your excellent post on your blog, thanks.
Aafke–yes but so spiritual too!
I beg for some proof Aafke…far as I know…creatures that look somewhat human but are covered in hair…come from what ever planet Chewbacca comes from.
Eeeehm…..