Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Why?? There are many better places to TEFL than Saudi. I doubt that there is anywhere worse.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Rosario, "Maybe some men will not like what I say"......may be you stayed in Saudi too long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

I've been to most of the other places already, I'd like to try the Middle East too

Why do you think Saudi is worst?

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Usually people following the TEFL route do so for overseas travel and experiences. Certainly there are some experiences to be gained from visiting Saudi. Chop Chop square on a Friday is certainly an experience. The suppression of women is an experience that you can only match in Afghanistan. But in general the only reason to visit, live and work in Saudi is to earn money and you will not be doing that TEFL. I would recommend Yemen (which is a fascinating country - although perhaps not at present) , Oman, - I spent a year in Darfur which I found far more rewarding experience than Riyadh. Riyadh is a large shopping mall with an inadequate car park and no culture. I can think of nothing worse than trying to teach the spoilt children of Saudi Royals.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Actually I had a lovely time in Saudi even with the WAR, I was trying to be tentative with what I was saying! Was not talking about Saudis or western men. I am sure there are men and women you will meet in Riyadh who will advise the same. Go and enjoy and find out for yourself.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Just to add my bit here!

I am a british woman working in Riyadh and am pretty much on my own here apart from 2 male colleagues who do their own thing! I have been here for just over a month so limited experience but I hope I can provide a little advise to you!

This site does tend to attract a fair number of complainers about life in Saudi - they are still here however and whilst salaries are the driving factor for most there really has to be more to some of them staying than that!

Since I have come here I have found everyone friendly and helpful (well ok apart from the Muttawa but thankfully only met them once!). However, as a single woman here it is definately a difficult life, there are very few places you can do anything such as sporting activities, swimming etc outside of a compound and some of them are well ropey!

There are a huge number of shops - never seen so many in 1 place to be honest and every western shop you can desire! Food shopping is easy and most of the brands your used to are available at fairly similar prices in most cases. You do need a driver/taxi to get anywhere though as no way of walking and too far to do so. I have been to a couple of malls alone and had no issue - a few little girls giggle at me and a few people stare a bit but nothing terrible!

In terms of salary and lifestyle, what you have been offered does seem pretty low, however, if you want to give it a go I would say try it, I would have kicked myself if had not come our to be honest, the only thing I would say on this is make sure you can afford to leave and go home if you really don't liek it but give it a chance!

Like most everything in life some love it, some hate it and most deal with it. Majority are probably here for the money rather than the culture however, many stay for many years so read into that what you will!

I am glad of the experience and have met some truly lovely people as well as some not so lovely - pretty much like I have anywhere else I have lived and been to!! I am only on a 6 month secondment and get to go home once a month so again my judgement may be a little clouded and I agree you do need to get away from it all on a fairly regular basis as can drive many a bit nuts!
You also need to be fond of your own company as can be pretty lonely and isolated, however, there are ways to meet people and worth looking at all options.

Good luck and if you feel I can help any further feel free to message me!

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Amen Lynne,

If it's so bad then go and find an alternative. Go back to England with no job or lowly paid job where you do 5 times the work. I'll stay here with the gym, pool, tax-free salary, sun, shops and sacrifice no alcohol.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Thing is, most are doing it for the money and even if not, the issue of timeline is important, because if you aren't out enough for the inland revenue, they'll want their slice of your "tax free" income, so you'd really not be benefiting all that much. Really need to look into the details.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Doesn't affect me, but as you say a short-term contract over April will split it into 2 tax years and cost you.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Very valid point, however, if the contract is only for 6 months anyway then tax man will want his slice regardless of time of year! Another point to keep in mind.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

If the duties of your job are outside of the country for over half of a tax year you can apply to be out of the country and pay your taxes in the country you work. So here is would be taxed at 0%.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

LynneArmstrong - "This site does tend to attract a fair number of complainers about life in Saudi - they are still here however and whilst salaries are the driving factor for most there really has to be more to some of them staying than that!"

Lynne - I agree with everything you say above - when working overseas the balance is location against salary. To my mind Saudi is a place where salary takes priority over location (that is why I went there). I know people who have been in Riyadh for over 25 years and many over 10 years. I did not meet any of the complainers that post on this board. Everybody I met got on with life and enjoyed their time there. For me there are too many places and not enough time to visit them all (In fact for me retirement is looming and after 35 years of expat life I have only managed to work in a third of the countries that I would have liked to have worked in). What I was saying is that if salary is equal then there are many other places I would choose before Saudi. However, I do not regret having spent two years in Riyadh.

I see you have found that Riyadh is essentially the world's largest concrete shopping centre, with inadequate parking, in the middle of the desert.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Try Teachaway.com they have tons of jobs in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

"What's it like in Riyadh".......

Wet and Cold.

Re: What's it like in Riyadh?
 

Since you asked...

1. The climate is a challenge, to say the least
2. Sand gets everywhere...
3. Low humidity in Riyadh can give you respiratory problems, skin irritation
4. There is very little to do other than shopping, tourist places, such as there are, are off limits to singles at the weekend
5. No cinemas, theatres, anywhere to feed the mind
6. You can be thrown in jail for hugging a woman that isn't your wife
7. Censorship of everything, government surveillance, the mutawa (religious police)...
8. Highest road deaths per capita in the world, appalling road manners
9. Shops close for prayers 5 times a day, if you are not in a mosque, you may get grilled by the mutawa to prove you are not a muslim
10. Racism on an industrial scale, one of the first things you will see when you arrive at immigration, and witness the line controllers for the sub-continentals
11. Women treated like so much shit on their shoes, "for their own protection"
12. Corruption, the lack of due process in the legal system
13. No manners, no style, no compassion, no consideration of others, no civility
14. No shame for their disgusting treatment of women and poorly educated guest workers
15. The world's biggest chip on their shoulders
16. The american influence is overbearing
17. The hypocrisy, inequality, "wasta"
18. You can be locked up without trial or access to legal representation for decades
19. Things which are considered normal elsewhere will get you executed here
20. A religion which teaches people not to think for themselves, or listen to their inner voice
21. No booze, unless you really try hard to find it
22. No bacon sandwich on a weekend morning
23. Internet filtering (can be bypassed)
24. When it rains, the infrastructure can't cope, floods are normal
25. Housemaids beaten, overworked, their pay withheld, some murdered, others executed for standing up to their "sponsors"
26. You can be thrown in jail for having bluetooth enabled on your phone in the wrong place

I could go on...

On the flipside:

1. No tax
2. Cheap petrol
3. ...

errrr... help me out anyone?