“J” is a lovely Houstonian who I had the pleasure of meeting. We met through American Bedu where she is a regular reader and I’m honored to say that she has quickly become a dear and valued friend. “J” found American Bedu while doing research as she recently accepted a position in Saudi Arabia and having not been to the Kingdom before, wanted to learn as much as she could through various resources before her departure. She has kindly allowed me interview her in what will be a two-part interview. Part one – this interview – she will share her thoughts, views and expectations as she prepares to leave Houston. Part two will take place circa three to four months after her arrival in Saudi Arabia to learn how well she has settled in and how her views have or have not changed.
To begin with “J” thanks for following American Bedu! Can you tell me exactly how you found the American Bedu blog and what drew you to it?
You’re very welcome! I came across American Bedu in doing a random search for blogs. I was looking for a blog with a neutral perspective in regards to the culture, religion and overall attitude toward the Middle East. Many blogs tend to be from strictly a professional point of view or form the point of view of a married non-working spouse. I felt AB covered the spectrum of topics that interested me most.
Do you believe the American Bedu blog is a good resource for someone seeking information on Saudi Arabia?
I think it’s an excellent resource – the questions and topics posted cover every topic related to moving there.
What prompted your desire to apply and accept a job in Saudi Arabia?
I had always heard lots of positive things about the work environment in KSA, particularly in regards to professionalism and efficiency. Also, I knew the salary would be comparable (or more) to that of the US and I assumed housing on a Western compound would be provided. After being contacted by my future employer, I was very impressed with their readiness to answer questions and to start the application process. I had worked and studied overseas twice before and was always a little disgruntled by the lack of efficiency and precise information.
Have you lived in the Arab world before? And if so, what were your experiences?
I was a teacher at an American school in Cairo, Egypt for two years. Overall, the experience was very positive, despite the political climate in the region (9/11, War in Iraq). I found the people to be very helpful (sometimes too much so!), extremely friendly and hospitable.
What was most positive from your time living and working in the Middle East? What was least positive?
The most positive was having the opportunity to know a new culture and way of life. Everyday for me was like a study abroad in history (both modern and ancient), religious history (Jewish, Christian and Islamic), art history and international relations. I would say the negatives were minor yet draining over time – the horrendous air pollution of Cairo and the street noise
How do you think your time in Egypt will prepare you for life in Saudi Arabia?
I know KSA is more conservative than Egypt but I do feel that culturally there are a lot of similarities between the people, specifically social mores, values and customs. Also, I learned a great deal of Arabic while in Cairo therefore I will not be entering the country with no means of communication.
What do you expect your life in Saudi Arabia to be like?
I worked in the exact same type of Medical Education program here in the US and it was very interesting, challenging and rewarding. I am anticipating that it will be the same, but with different challenges. I am hoping that I am able to meet a lot of different, yet like-minded people on my residential compound and in the workplace.
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best, how prepared do you think you are about life and living in the Kingdom? And why?
I would say about an 8 or 9. I am very familiar with the culture, the language and the job that I accepted. I have lived abroad in both Chile and Egypt (as I mentioned) and know to expect that things do not always function at the same rhythm as they do in the US.
What do you hope to achieve while living in the Kingdom?
I hope to improve my Arabic, grow intellectually, save some money, and travel around the Kingdom and other Middle Eastern countries.
Do you speak any Arabic? Do you think it is important for an expat working in an international environment where English is the spoken language to know any Arabic?
I would say I have a low proficiency level in Arabic, but it is enough to buy produce off the street, go to a supermarket, ask for directions, give directions and give basic greetings to people. I found that my life in Cairo improved tremendously once I started interacting with locals in Arabic. I would say that it’s extremely important, unless you choose to only stay on the compound or only socialize with co-workers.
What kind of adjustments are you prepared to make for life in the Kingdom?
Wearing abaya in the street, re-learning to avoid eye contact with males, sitting separately from males, not having possession of my own passport, tackling the language barrier, getting re-accustomed to a slower, perhaps less-efficient way of life.
You have a beautiful family who loves you dearly. What are their reactions to your accepting a job in Saudi?
I have gotten mixed reviews – the majority is really excited for me and think it’s the opportunity of a lifetime, others are concerned for my safety with respect to living on a Western compound.
Do you feel ready and prepared for this new chapter in your life?
I feel very mentally and emotionally ready. In terms of being 100% prepared – not at all! I still have a ton of things to organize before I go!
How easy was it for you to identify and obtain a job in Saudi Arabia?
I actually applied an English professor position about 8 months ago via CareerBuilder, however when they contacted me, it was for the Medical Education position. They did say I could choose and I ultimately chose the latter.
What comments and advice can you share on the paperwork process for getting ready to go to the Kingdom?
Make sure your passport has been renewed and be prepared to fill out a lengthy application. Also, they require that you obtain verification of employment from previous employers – something that an applicant does not do here in the US.
How much of the process must you do and how much in turn is handled by your employer?
So far, I have done the majority of it, but I believe they will be more involved once the visa has been issued and it comes time to coordinate the travel.
Do you feel like your prospective employer has given you timely and accurate information on your position and expectations of where you will be working?
This has been the most impressive aspect of dealing with this employer – they have been very quick in responding to my multitude of questions and have provided me with a great deal of information regarding the hospital, university, job description and residential compound.
And in closing, what do you believe are the most important attributes to have to making a smooth and positive adjustment from life in Houston to life in Riyadh?
Maintaining an open mind, remembering that it’s an adventure and a unique chance to see the world. One must remember that not everything will be as simple as it at home; the challenges may be many, but the rewards outweigh them.
Thanks again “J” and wishing you all the very best! It will certainly be a pleasure to meet up with you next in Riyadh. Thank you for taking the time to interview me and I look forward to meeting up in Riyadh as well!
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Hi Carol,
I enjoy reading these interviews you publish. I look forward to reading the second part when it comes.
I’m sure you may have done it before I came on your blog, but since there are a lot of non-Saudi women married to Saudi men there, I think it would be interesting to read interviews with them – from both husband and wife and also from the wife if the marriage has gone sour (if possible, from the husband as well if the marriage has gone sour) – about what they both expected before marriage, what they came across after marriage, what adjustments they both made and other issues related to cross-cultural marriages. It’s just a suggestion, but may be you can do a series on this.
@Daisy,
Please enjoy:
http://americanbedu.com/category/interview/
On the right side of my blog (scroll down your screen if need be) you will find you can select specific categories and topics of posts. The link above is for all posts which I had categorized as interviews.
Best Regards, Carol
@daisy,
There is a blog which only discussess Saudi-non saudi marriages http://taraummomar.blogspot.com/
I think its run by a American Women married to a Saudi.
I am beginning to wonder why there are only 2 comments on this post other than me, compared to 60 or 150 in other post that are negative in nature.?
Is it because this post is entirely neutral or slightly positive towards Saudi? or is it because the this post doesn’t offer significant platform to bash Saudi?
every day saudia give 1000000…of visas to people from all over world,come live and work in peace,may some thing out of you,i dont get it whats the big deal of this interview?what is she,some kind of famous football player singed by some famous saudi football club?looooooooooooool?
is she doing some big deal for saudis,if she decide to come here?if she comes good for her.
and american bedu dont forget to ask her or u tell her,most important part TONS OF MONEY she is going to make free with out any taxes what so ever,money,money plus free A class Accommodation, Accommodation, meals, laundry, transport.all she have to do is do her job,mind her job and dont try to be a smart act!lol
only in saudia,no matter who and what u are u can still can make it,even if u fail in every other placelol ,good bless kingdom of saudi arabia.
Abu Abdullah and Carol,
Thanks.
@Fawad:
Brother you must read between the lines, Carol says shes gonna post part 2 after a few months.
And let me tell ya, this lady is gonna say she hates to live in Saudi and would simply bash it just like all other cases.
Even though most western expats including this blog owner make a lot over here and financially live a better life then their former countries, all they like to do is just bad mouth this place.
Carol,
Of course you are aware that there are cultural centreas from many countries like Hungary, Japan, Iran, UK and the US in many countries – apart from the embassies of these countries. I wonder if the Saudi Arabia has cultural centres in different cities of the US since there are so many Americans wanting to go to the KSA. Perhaps it would be a good idea to open these Saudi cultural centres where information can be given through documentaries, lectures and discussion forums and lectures about the kind of life in Saudi Arabia, especially for women and every American wanting to go to the KSA should be invited to attend a few sessions (the attendance may be made required) before the American leaves for the KSA. I remember attending such a session organised by the British Council before leaving for London, during which they told us not only the positive but also the negative facts about life in the UK, eventhough it’s not all that difficult to live in London.
And perhaps you can manage all these Saudi cultural centres
@daisy,
there is a Cultural center in DC not sure about other cities in US.
But in no way Carol could be a representative of Saudi Culture, you must be joking lol
Her perception as she herself said is biased often, she is very much disconnected from the history of the kingdom.
Just by publishing a few interviews, recipes and Arabic vocabulary doesn’t necessarily make one a Saudi Cultural expert.
Great interview. I enjoyed reading about J’s preparations and her excitement about going to KSA. I hope it will be a wonderful experience for her.
looking forward to part 2, will that be when she is settled? Very interesting!
Great interview Carol.
J, welcome to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I wish you a pleasant stay!
Thanks for a great interview Carol.I can’t wait for part two.
@ Abu Abdullah
I think you are being very unfair to Carol and by extension her friend J? Have you read Carol’s full blog? She states that she tries to show points of view of Saudi Arabia form an American perspective. Which naturally means that it will have both good and bad things observed. I don’t think in any way has she sullied the reputation of Saudi Arabia. She has thought provoking questions that show that KSA, like all places, has good and bad things about it. Further, being a foreign woman her experiences are likely to be very different from your own so obviously her viewpoint will be different. Have you ever visited a country outside of KSA or your own(if you don’t live in KSA?) Did you think everything about it was wonderful and perfect? Likely not. But surely you could see both good and bad things about that other country. That is what Carol is doing here. With cultures that are so completely different there are many things that seem different to people from KSA vs. USA.
I commend Carol’s friend for coming here and taking such a big step. In the end though she may not fall in love with KSA and decide to make it her permanent home, she will have learned a lot about another culture that she didn’t know about before. But it isn’t only up to her. The Saudi’s have to open up their hearts to her and help her learn. That is what is so cool about travel!
Good luck J. Can’t wait to hear part 2.
The majority of Saudi embassies and consulates around the world do have a cultural attache. This individual is responsible for promoting Saudi’s culture. This same individual is usually the same person responsible for overseeing and liaising with Saudi students and US Universities. He has a full portfolio of duties!
Another great resource within a Saudi embassy is to ask for the Information office which also has materials of all kinds about the Kingdom.
The Saudi students association at many universities also do a great job in presenting their culture at different functions.
Now on a footnote to the topic of the post, pleased to announce “J” is now in Riyadh and starting to settle in!
How exciting!
@Carol,
Yes, the “information office” has loads of nice videos, books, posters and the like. We have many of the videos sititng around, both in NTSC and PAL.
As for the Saudi cultural centers, I am sure they do other things, but I think they deal almost exclusively with Saudi students. The former Cultural Attache here in DC for years was a close friend of my wife’s family. Student issues forms the bulk of their work.
I wish they really would get a proactive program in the West educating people about Saudi and Islam. Not dawah, or trying to spread Islam, rather something purely educational.
@Abu Abdallah,
Of course people are going to go where the big bucks are. I guess the solution is, if you dont like it, to educate and train enough Saudis to do the jobs themselves. Not only that, shift the culture of the country to build a “protestant work ethic” as it were.
No such thing exists in the Middle East, especially Saudi. There is a reason why resource poor places like Germany are historic economic powerhouses. It is because they have smart, intelligent and educated people who belong in a culture that values, even prizes, hard work.
I’ve worked around the world and people will come where the money is even if they dislike or even hate the countries they live in. It is a two way street, it is a bit hard to listen to Saudis complian about ex-pat workers when it is THEIR FAULT that they are there in the first place. If Saudis dont like ex-pats, stop the culture of entitlement, stop the thinking that no “real” Saudi does any job besides management.
The ex-pat issue in Saudi is a SAUDI created issue.
Well as opposed to what Abu Sinan postulates, well the over here Expats with skills are welcomed. Coz this place needs em…
But no generous employer or hosts would be happy to have a whining employee working for them.
Abu Abdullah:
Don’t hold your breath on expecting Abu Sinan to say something nice about Saudi or Muslims. I’ve been following him for a while, on this blog and others. And you will notice that all he does (or she does, not sure really of his ID because at times he does sound very girlie and sneaky), under the cover of his “conversion” or his “Saudi wife” is whine and complain and call people’s attention on the flaws of Saudi and its people … EXCLUSIVELY!
You have been warned my friend.
bdg…
@bruno
Oui Bro… agreed…
“not sure really of his ID because at times he does sound very girlie and sneaky” ROTFLOL
It would be a great improvement if everybody, especially those who always complain about the conduct and personal attacks of others, could behave themselves in a rational, intelligent manner.
Especially those who are new to this blog should be more modest and polite.
It would be good if everybody realises that this is a blog for adults. We come here from many different parts of the globe, we usually feel free to discuss topics, occasionally go off topic, and many of us feel like friends.
I am sorry the tone of the discussions are sinking down to such infantile levels lately.
Look who’s talking…
lol
@Bruno,
Very funny, problem is Carol has talked to my wife and I believe her husband worked at some of the same places as my Father in Law.
I guess it makes you feel better to attack me rather than have anything of substance to say about my points.
So I dont care what you think, some people on this blog know exactly who I am and know the truth of the things I say first hand.
As for Muslims, truth is I do have little good to say about the current Muslim community. If you check your hadith you’ll find the Prophet himself had pretty negative things to say about the Muslim community in the later days. Remember the one about The Qur’an being recited by a generation of Muslims where it wont pass farther down than their throat? Remember the one about the generations of Muslims towards the Last Day that will reflect almost nothing of The Qur’an?
Anyways, I love Islam, but I dont care for the Muslim community. I dont see anything wrong with that considering it is consistant with Hadith and consistant with the unIslamic nature within many portions of the Muslim community today.
You and your cohort “Abu Abdallah” are just more in a long line of Muslims that make the religion SO unattractive for not just non Muslims, but for other Muslims as well.
You do Islam a grave diservice.
Which one is the real muslim representing the real Islam? ahhhhh, we Islamophobes just love this infighting. mwaaHA-HA!!
0ac69af499
Wow, Great, BRAVO!!!
Glad to see a hadith scholar like Abu Sinan (as he claims) who says “Anyways, I love Islam, but I dont care for the Muslim community. I dont see anything wrong with that considering it is consistant with Hadith ” Ok fine may be its ok for him…
Well let me quote a few hadith…. And I am convinced its a duty of every muslim to care for other muslims irrespective of their culture or nationality…
From Sahih Muslim:
Chapter# 15, Book 32, Number 6257:
Abu Musa reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A believer is like a brick for another believer, the one supporting the other.
Book 32, Number 6258:
Nu’man b. Bashir reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever.
Book 32, Number 6260:
Nu’man b. Bashir reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The believers are like one person; if his head aches, the whole body aches with fever and sleeplessness.
Book 32, Number 6261:
Nu’man b. Bashir reported that Muslims are like one body of a person; if the eye is sore, the whole body aches, and if the head aches, the whole body aches.
And with regards to muslims who just like to oppress other muslims as quoted in Carol’s blog and also as commentators here who simply like to bash other muslims:
Hadith: Narrated Anas: Allah’s Apostle said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.” [Sahih Bukhari,Volume 3, Book 43, Number 624]
@lynn
Well wait n watch who has the last laugh
American Bedu,
I’d like to echo the sentiment of your interviewee, J, about how informative and helpful your blog has been in preparing for the cultural challenges of moving to Saudi Arabia from a Western society. I’ve been able to use a lot of the information that you have posted about to inform family and friends of how things will be and to allay their fears (and mine) somewhat.
While others may criticise your writing at times, I’m certain that I’m not the only person who has benefited greatly from your insight. Its just that we’re not the outspoken ones
. I look forward to hearing part 2 of this interview.. by then I should be in Riyadh also and will chuckle along with the observations.
stacy.
Bruno,
Before you read this, please read my last comment to you on “The Challenge of Saudi Blogging” because it’s related. In the case of Abu Abdullah’s quotations from Hadith above – should we look into the Hadith quotations he has presented or should we argue that Abu Abdullah is not a scholar, so we shouldn’t pay attention to him and that he has no authority to argue about Islam? I hope I have made myself clear.
Of course, it’s besides the point that Abu Abdullah didn’t understand Abu Sinan’s comment – Abu Sinan was pointing towards the fact that the Islamic tenets are great but the people who claim to be Muslims today are not following the Islamic tenets and their spirit.
Why would your passport be taken away…its illegal for anyone but YOU to have possession of your passport. Ah yes I forget…one of the illegal actions taken on by much of the middle east is to confiscate passports once the employee has arrived. They disguise this illegal action by claiming they are only “keeping it safe” for the employee but in fact…they are afraid once the employee realizes that he/she might be forced to work a job other than what they came for….might not be getting paid the agreed on amount…or even at all for quite some time….or be forced to work hours more than legally mandated with no overtime…holidays off or annual vacation time…NOT TO mention the general abysmal behavoir meted out to them simply because they are not Saudi/Arab etc…well hell…anyone with their passport might actually decide to have the nerve to LEAVE before every ounce of sweat and humanity is wrong from their bodies.
Ouch..well thats how its done in Bahrain…can anyone tell me if its different in Saudi?
btw nice interview. would be absolutely wonderful if J came back in a few months and told us she was having a wonderful time and didnt regret for an instance her decision to come to Saudi. Im sure there will be a few here delighted to stick their tongues out and say “nah nah nah”…just like the little boys they are.
Good luck J…hope your THE exception…lol.
*and yes..Im being an ass…but then that seems to be the norm on here these days
It is strange that many middle-easterners and some Saudi ex-pats working in Western countries may whine and put down the country they are in and often western employers and co-workers have to shut up because, well, they will be accused of hate . On the other hand you claim that western ex-pats can not whine because, you know, their employers and Saudis would accuse them of – yes – hate.
Don’t I see a double standard here, or what?
ps.. “You” in my post was referred to Abu Abdullah.
pps. nice interview. I am waiting with interest for the second part.
Much of what Coolred has said regarding mistreatment of foreign workers is true of most of West Asia – a lot of people from my country go there to work and they complain about all this exploitation by the Arabs – plus the fact that they are not even recognised as Muslims by the Arabs, who don’t want to interact with them and who treat them as inferior, regardless of the fact that in Islam everyone is equal. In fact I know of quite a few cases of people who simply didn’t want to stay anymore and somehow managed to get their passports, came back and don’t want to return to West Asia again, no matter how much money they were making there and if ever they’ll get a proper job in their own country.
There is a blog-etiquette and blog rules and they are going to be enforced without further notice.
I have a feeling know “J” personally that she will have an enriching and enjoyable time in Saudi Arabia. I am also looking forward to interviewing her for part 2 after she’s been in the Kingdom for at least 90 – 120 days. She is sorely missed in Houston.
On Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 7:11 AM, Carol Fleming wrote:
> There is a blog-etiquette and blog rules and they are going to be enforced > without further notice. > >
About time.
Hope J has a great time, learns a lot and makes good friends to last a lifetime. That’s what one should expect when one moves to a diff place.
I hope she doesn’t get too home sick
Every place has good and bad and most important differences from your way of life. sometimes those differences are plesent sometimes not. I’d say to J, enjoy have fun adn if you don’t like it after a few years hey.. you can always go home .. and have learned a new culture.. it’s a win win situation.
ty for the link,abu abdullah
Abu Abdullah- Thanks for recommending my blog and I am an American married to a Saudi. Tara Umm Omar