Living and Working in Saudi Arabia

Factors to Consider before Accepting a Job in the Saudi Kingdom.

Jan 5, 2009

Working in Arabia may Bring Unexpected Surprises, John Pint

Foreigners offered employment in Saudi Arabia should research location, social factors and the pros and cons of working in a different climatic and cultural environment.

In recent years, the Saudi government has gone to great effort to reduce the large number of foreigners working in the country. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of employment opportunities, especially in the fields of health care and teaching.

English (ESL, EFL) teachers will find that they can earn far higher salaries in Saudi Arabia than in the USA or Canada. Women may be surprised to find that the Kingdom has a huge force of female nurses who are especially appreciated because of their ability to work comfortably with both male and female patients in hospitals and clinics.

The Best Jobs in Arabia

The choicest positions in Saudi Arabia are often with companies like Aramco or Raytheon, which are able to create enjoyable or at least tolerable working and living conditions for their employees. Conditions offered by a Saudi university or government agency are far more difficult to predict and it is imperative to find out what foreigners already working there have to say.

Weather and Culture in Saudi Arabia

Climatic and cultural conditions may vary widely from one Saudi city to the next. Here are some important factors to consider:

Dhahran: the climate and beaches are good; Aramco offers very pleasant living conditions.
Riyadh: mercilessly hot in the summer; no beaches; many cultural and religious restrictions.
Jeddah: tolerable-to-good climate; excellent beaches and Red-Sea diving; cosmopolitan ambient with fewer restrictions than elsewhere.
Other locations: investigate temperature and humidity; inquire about tolerance and recreational possibilities.

Living and Working in the Kingdom: the Pros

Big savings: housing and air tickets are often free and there are few distractions on which to throw away money; most people save a bundle.
Natural wonders: dunes, desert, coral reefs and caves offer extraordinary hiking and camping opportunities.
Nearby travel opportunities: fascinating countries like Jordan, Eritrea and Greece are not far away.
Unusual attractions: the Nabatean tombs of Madain Saleh, the ancient architecture of Jeddah and Najran, the Hijaz Railway (destroyed by Lawrence of Arabia) are interesting sites seen by few outsiders.

Living and Working in the Kingdom: the Cons

Religious restrictions: no alcohol, pork, nightclubs, theaters or churches; Shari'a is the only law.
The situation of women: no driving, no independent travel, strict dress code.
Summer heat: temperatures above 50° C (120° F) in some places prohibit most outdoor activities.

Social Factors to Consider

Housing compound: a mix of Saudis and foreigners could mean numerous restrictions, allowing expats little chance to unwind.
Working conditions: foreigners may experience difficulty working directly under a Saudi supervisor whose approval is required for everything from paper clips to vacation requests. Having a foreign supervisor may be far more convenient.

Contracts in Saudi Arabia

If any benefits or special arrangements have been verbally agreed upon, the prospective employee should spell them out in his or her contract before signing. Even if one’s supervisor is a saint, final decisions will probably be made by an inaccessible accountant or lawyer and only the words in the contract will matter.

An open mind, a sense of adventure and a careful search for the right working conditions could turn your Saudi job into a rich experience that will stay with you forever.

The copyright of the article Living and Working in Saudi Arabia in Work/Study Abroad is owned by John Pint. Permission to republish Living and Working in Saudi Arabia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.