Living in the Kingdom requires the ability to be adaptable, especially when coming from a diverse and opposite culture such as in the West. And it is not only the expats who have to adapt to the culture of the Kingdom but Saudis as well and particularly if a Saudi has been outside of the Kingdom for a period of time.
So for whom is it easier? Is it easier for the Saudi coming back in after being outside or for the expat coming in either for a job or marriage? And thinking of the Saudi, is it overall easier for them to go outside of the Kingdom and come back in, since their eyes are wide open and know what to expect? Or do you think that having been outside and living, experiencing differing cultures on a day-to-day basis make it harder on them to return and adapt again to the life and cultures in the Kingdom than for the expat choosing a different way of life? How does being outside of the Kingdom change a Saudi? Is it more of a transition for the Saudi men or the Saudi women?
I’ve written previous posts on adapting to the Kingdom and will continue to say, it is not for everyone. Of course adaptation and successful adaptation depends on a number of factors which include where is one located; what brought them to the Kingdom; what environment and social strata they are living in within the Kingdom; how much advance research was done prior to arrival in the Kingdom and naturally the level of ones patience, tolerance and receptiveness to new environments and customs. If someone comes to the Kingdom and spends the majority of their time on a Western compound which can be comparable to a small American town, they may feel little restriction or change. On the other hand, if one is immersed into a traditional Saudi environment which practices segregation and little English is spoken, the changes would be great and it is essential to be prepared for the new environment.
Those just barely touch on the aspects of the expat coming to the Kingdom. But what about the Saudi who has been outside? I would think that the changes are greatest for the Saudi woman in the sense of the freedoms she would experience as compared to life inside the Kingdom. If she chooses, she may have the opportunity to drive, to go out freely without worrying about an accompanying mahrem, pursue classes and lectures not available yet to women in the Kingdom, to cover less or not at all, move freely in a non-segregated society, go the theatre, cinema, museums and other outings of interest to her. Most of these opportunities apply to the man as well but these are also activities he can routinely do in the Kingdom albeit in a segregated environment (with the exception of theatres and cinemas except in special circumstances).
And for the more modern forward Saudi, if single, he or she can mix with the opposite sex and date. He or she can participate in group activities that are not offered in the Kingdom.
At the same time, the Saudi who is outside of the Kingdom will have other transitions too due to the change of location and culture. Domestic help may not be available or as easily available and a family support network may not be close at hand either. Many Saudis are satisfied and comfortable with their routine and practices in the Kingdom and therefore may feel like a fish out of water in a new and what to them could be compared as an exotic environment. Just like the Kingdom is not for everyone, the West is not for everyone either.
I’d like to hear from Saudis and non-Saudis on their experiences with transitions. I’d like to hear about the transitions coming in to the Kingdom, returning to the Kingdom and going outside of the Kingdom
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