slbj1

Anyone have info on life in dharan and want a chat. Moveing out there and looking for work nursing, lots of forms to fill in and not at all sure what to expect. Ime currently working in Neuro Sciences and have been told aramco is the best employer, but submitted loads and not had any response.

Hope someone can help

Face81

Helo slbj1,

Welcome to the forum.

I dont want to scare u, but have u seriously thought thru the implications of moving to and living in Saudi???? It is one scay place! :scared:

Do a search on the forums for saudi arabia and c what u find...... it may change ur mind.

Back to ur q.... I am an expert on Dubai, so if u decide to come there for a job, do let me know

Take care and good luck!

Enjoy the forum.

slbj1

Thank you for the kind welcome and advice, ive been looking at a lot of different blogs and it certainly seems scary, however my husband is there and where the heart is ................... as they say. Take care

Hebapotamus42

Hello. Dhahran is actually a combination of two compounds - Aramco and KFUPM (an engineering university). Then there are a couple of nearby cities - Khobar and Dammam. Aramco is definitely the best place to live and work. It's great. My father worked there for 13 years. I've seen all the places actually because I used to go and visit him every year or couple of years while he was there. Khobar and Dammam are the places where people go to shop, Khobar being the more "western" of the two. In general, it's very safe. I never had a problem while there. However, it's kind of boring as there aren't many places to go aside from the mall. The only downside is that it's on the persian gulf. I recall that Khobar was actually hit by a missle during the first gulf war. And then there was the attack on the Khobar Towers complex. Though nothing has really happened since then, it's always something to be worried about. Hope this helps.

Tami2

Sorry to contradict you Hebapotamus, but there have been some very scary and significant happenings in Al Khobar since the Khobar Towers incident. Just last year, an entire compound was taken hostage by Al Qaida sympathizers and the incompetent Saudi "Special Forces" stormed the compound to "rescue" the hostages...long story short....many of the hostages were killed and another surprise...the terrorists got away! This seems to be a trend in KSA, the terrorists usually get away. And, during this particular terrorist act, the bad guys went around quizzing the hostages to see which ones were non-Moslem, so they could corral them separately for some mysterious reason.

I realize this is coming across kind of angry and bitter, and that's because I am...angry and bitter. I lived in Riyadh for four years during all the bombings, kidnappings, etc. KSA is nothing like it was before May 12, 2003. The entire kingdom is a timebomb waiting to explode and the vast majority of the western expats have already gotten out. In my humble opinion, no one should live or work anywhere in the KSA. They don't really want us there anyway, hence the "Saudization" that is being implemented across the country.

Good luck to you slbj1. I understand that you want to be with your husband, but please consider your safety before you make a final decision.

Tami

Hebapotamus42

Not contradictory. Somehow I don't remember last year's incident. Seems too significant for me not to. My father left KSA in 2003, so perhaps I haven't been following things there as much. But like I said, even if it's been quiet, its gulf location and proximity to Iraq are reason enough for worry.

Frans Wind

Hi Slbj1,

Aramco? If you can get them as employers? The package they tend to offer is awesome!!!! It's a professional company, okay, like everywhere in the Middle East with massive amounts of red tape. If you seriously want to get employed by them? Try there offices in the UK. Aramco truely is the "Rolls Royce" under the normal employers in KSA.

Depending on the job level? They tend to pay the costs of moving to Saudi. (Which is not common in Saudi Arabia) Medical asspects are fully covered, rent and housing related asspects are on the employers costs. (although I myself wouldn't want to live in a compound.) Salaries are actually paid on time! (You can play the currency markets as the Saudi Riyal can increase in value drastically) Once a year vacation leave is fully paid. Final departure bonusses are normal and can be rather big.

My advise? Request a multiple exit / re-entry visa in your passport, also request that your allowed to keep your passport with you. (Which Aramco tends to do with Europeans / Americans) Make a deal with a trust worthy airline for a 365 day standby ticket which if not used is automatically extended and you basically covered your tracks. Okay... KSA isn't a paradise and things do happen there. But if you use your common sence? A lot of trouble can be avoided.

Frans

slbj1

thank you, has eased my mind a bit, the cuture and climate may be issues, any advice??

Frans Wind

Hi Slbj1,

Like everywhere in the Middle East, you have what I call rude, brainless individuals, but you also have really educated people among them. I did tend to socialise alot with local Saudi's, and yes, and am a huge fan of Arabic food!!! Being invited to a Saudi home is / may be considered a big compliment. Okay, the social life like one is used to in Europe or America doesn't excist there, it's mimiced in the compounds. Alcohol officially isn't available, but on the black markets you can get anything you want. With none muslim, religious festivals you want to be a bit careful as well in Saudi. Ramadan? No food, water, smoking in public from the moment the sun rises until it sets again. And with the Ied holidays that follow? Most commercial companies are closed 4 days, government and banks? 1 week. Be careful with the "Mutawa's" (Religious Police), these are real idiots. With prayer times the shops close although in some cities the women and childern are allowed to stay inside. We poor men? Can sit in airco cars and wait.

And yes, you have strict family / single ladies sections and single male sections in most restaurants, even in the fast food places. One golden rule I would give you, never talk to an Arabic women directly, not even as a women, always let the conversation run via the husband in most cases? It's seen as a compliment if Europeans or Americans wish or try to start a conversation. Small childern? Get away with nearly anything, as even a Saudi man knows raising them is a 24/7 job wich actually requires two sets of eye's. Al Khobar is an awesome city if you know the places where the expats tend to meet eachother. Shopping is fun, and battling it out for discount is considered a sport there. Even if the ïtem has a price tag attached, just smile and reply "Maffi discount???" just turn around and walk away. In most cases? You'll knock 30% or more off the price tag.

Climate wise? KSA can be extreamly hot, but electricity is dirt cheap there as well as petrol. I used to start my car in the mornings, put the airco on max, locked the doors and let the engine run for an hour or so. Airco's in my villa? never really turned them off during the summer months. I actually don't know if there's a maximum speed in Saudi? I've never been stopped for speeding. The average Saudi? Doesn't know how to drive a car, but I guess your husband will be more the aware of that. Buying cars in Saudi is dirt and I mean dirt cheap, exporting them back to your own country requires a bit of help from your sponsor, but like everywhere in the Middle east? Paperwork and stamps are "Holly".

As for the compounds? Well it's a personal choice. I've lived in a few, grew to really hate them. I loved the villa's, which can be cheap to rent. But I did that as a single man. Maybe a family is better off in a compound? I don't know. I spent a total of 10+ years in Saudi, okay... the summers tend to make you think "What the hell am I doing here???" but for the rest? Saudi didn't bother me that much. But with a multiple exit / re-entry? And Bahrain just a few kilometers away? Life was bareble I guess. If you have any more questions? Just fire away okay?

Frans

Frans Wind

And a must in Al Khobar? Visit the Gold & Diamond markets okay? Just even if it's to look around. I bought a diamond ring for my (now ex) fiance for about 60% of the price one would normally pay in Europe!!!

slbj1

Thank you frans, what a well informed answer, so many people have differing opinions its nice to hear a balanced view point. Ime having trouble getting any response from aramco, so will keep perseveering, as really dont want to work for other organisations that i have been told are non payers, or their organisation has dubeious history. Going out in july for a look, not an ideal time with the temperature, however not much choice, and its just a visit, hop the air cons good is all i will say, as uk is somewhat colder in july??????
Are you German, i lived there for 9 years, shame its not there ime hopeing to go to as its a great place to live.
Many thanks again, look forward to your response
s

slbj1

Bit new to this, just noticed your from Amsterdam, not German, well again fab place to live. Cant wait to see the markets, how do the prices compare? or is it just the quality of workmanship, Amsterdam has a diamond centre doesnt it? I so miss the frites special if thats how you spell it, not to mention everything.

slbj1

No you sound like someone with valuable life experiences so thank you for sharing them, yes it does concern me, it would be foolish to be blinkered about it, i just keep saying as most people do ime sure that it is a temporary measure, and keep fingers toes and everything else crossed. Still need a job though. s

ps i could be that cookie monster too, however 2 stone down and more to go

Frans Wind

[QUOTE=slbj1]Thank you frans, what a well informed answer, so many people have differing opinions its nice to hear a balanced view point. Ime having trouble getting any response from aramco, so will keep perseveering, as really dont want to work for other organisations that i have been told are non payers, or their organisation has dubeious history. Going out in july for a look, not an ideal time with the temperature, however not much choice, and its just a visit, hop the air cons good is all i will say, as uk is somewhat colder in july??????

Hi Slbj1,

I'll forgive you the insult of thinking I was German I was actually born in the USA so I'm 50/50 Dutch and American. Take your time with Aramco okay? They tend to hire only the best of the best they can get from Europe or the USA. What I would advise you to do is to drop by the human resources department of Aramco at Dharan. If you're well qualified? And they know your husband already works legally in the Kingdom? Well it could speed up the procedure at there UK offices. If they do create a "Possible employee file" on you? Ask for the file number as reference and proof you visited the head office Dharan. I know out of other experiences that the UK office is sensative in a possitive way to that. But getting into Aramco can be frustrating, I agree. But the full employee's package Aramco offers can be awesome and 100% for sure worth the effords.

And if you do want to live in a compound after all? Well the "Aramco Village" in Dharan isn't bad at all to say it mildly. If Aramco is interested in you? Ask them if they still have an immigration staff member inside Dharan Airport. These people will really speed up things getting you through customes at Dharan, which can take several hours otherwise. In most cases, your husband will have the official "Family Visa" in his passport. But be sure to double check at the Saudi embassy in the UK if everything is okay paperwise.

I would really avoid working for government hospitals in Saudi Arabia. They are well known for "delaying" payments to there (entire) staff for several months if needed. And the doctors? Well a experienced expat? Strongly doubts if they really are doctors. There are a few really good private medical clinics though, also all located in Al Khobar. You would have to do a bit of searching yourself though as it's been a while since I visited one. Aramco? You can fully trust. Saleries are paid normally and on time. Also the working hours are better, although they do work in shifts. A normal work week in Saudi is from Saterday until Thursday afternoon 12 PM. A one and a half day weekend is normal, some employers will grant the Thursday and Friday off, so you'll have to check on that.

As for prices in Saudi? It all depends on where you go and what you want. I used to avoid the five star shopping area's as prices are five star prices and hardly any discounts are given. Al Khobar is great for all kinds of shopping, and real fun to. Dammam is a bit on the lower side, and I would avoid buying food stuff there. Al Jubail is a real industrial City, and doesn't have the flair of Al Khobar. But in general? Saudi prices are about 50% of that what you pay in the UK. Whereby electronics are really dirt cheap. And if you want the really good exchange rates? Find the money market in Al Khobar or Dammam. Okay, it's a black market thing, but the exchange rates will be far better then the banks will give you. If in doubt? Just ask any Philippino where it is, these guys use them all the time. Well can't think of more, but please do fire away those questions you might have.

Frans

Frans Wind

And don't be shy overthere, build up a good circle of friends. The "connection game" also applies in Saudi Arabia, even more actually and expats tend to help eachother out a lot. I'll approche this subject a bit carefully? If you do buy alcohol on the black markets? Check for what is called "Vampire marks" on the bottom of the bottle. The real crooks tend to drill two holes and pump out the good stuff, then re-fill the bottle with god knows what else. A lot of "Newbies" get in trouble not knowing this. Even if it's just plain wine? Always check...

Frans