| Saudi Arabia |
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| City: |
Dammam/Al Khobar |
| Country: |
Saudi Arabia |
| Submitter' s Name: |
Farheen
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| Nationality: |
United Kingdom
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| Arrival Date: |
15th Dec 2007 |
| Date Submitted: |
6 may, 2008 |
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Dammam, Dhahran and Al Khobar are a pretty much 3-in-1
city...
It is a modern place, with malls and every convenience possible... lots of
restaurants and shops.
The weather is very hot in summer, but can be pretty cold sometimes during
winter (but not too bad)
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Locals tend to mind their own business.
The traffic and the way the locals drive is insane... but as a woman in
Saudi you by law are not permitted to drive so you will only have to deal
with being a passenger in a car driving at insane speeds and changing lanes
way too often!
As a woman in Saudi you will never be looked at as equal of a man, but
unless you are working in a predominantly male Saudi place it should not
matter.
You will have to cover up when outside... i.e. wear an abaya, which is a
long black coat worn over your clothes. It is not ideal and many expat
women refuse to wear one but then you just stick out like a sore thumb and I
do not think one should attract unnecessary attention to oneself in a place
like KSA.
You do not have to cover your head or face. If you do choose not to wear
the abaya it is wise to dress modestly covering your legs and arms and not
showing midriff.
It is a good place for families as the International Schools are plenty and
provide a good education.
Saudi is not a good place for gay/lesbians, as Islam is very much against
same sex relationships.
KSA is a very safe place. The laws and punishments are very strict but still
one should always be careful.
KSA is a dry country... however Bahrain is 1/2hr drive from Dammam so if
you want to drink and party that is where you can go.
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sually your employer handles your visas
(work & residency). It is wise to register yourself with your embassy in
Riyadh when you arrive.
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Most Expats are housed within walled and guarded compounds.
Most jobs will provide accommodation so if you are seeking a job in KSA make
sure you have accommodation provided... good compounds have all facilities
...pools, gyms, shops.
Within the compound you can wear what you like. |
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Some people have help... some do not.
It is up to you and your needs.
Cost would be cheap, like everything else in Saudi
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Telephone and Mobile connections are good. Depending on where
you are calling, rates differ.
TV - satellite TV readily available with over 100 channels... with shows
from the UK, US etc.
Post is rubbish - I have been waiting over 2 months for study materials to
arrive... most people get their post delivered to work rather than home. But
generally it is bad... so stick to email as much as possible. |
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You can get by without learning the language. Most people
speak and understand English but try and keep it basic when speaking to
them... remember English is not their mother tongue. |
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Nestle water is available to be delivered to your
doorstep.
Gas and Electricity and petrol are dirt cheap. Again these things usually
are paid by your employer. |
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Best find work before you come... in fact I doubt you will
even get a visa unless you have work.
Women cannot enter the kingdom without work or having a usband or her
father sponsor her from within the kingdom.
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Local currency is Saudi Riyal.
Most banks have separate sections for women... there are international banks
like HSBC etc so not a problem opening an account.
Once again your employer should assist you. |
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Healthcare is good. If you have health insurance you should
have no worries there. Medicines are easily available. |
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Many International Schools are present in this area. Most
schools run buses or compounds have buses to take kids to school.
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Cars are cheap but women cannot drive in Saudi so make sure
your employer gives you transportation.
You can get taxis but it is not advisable and if you wish to go to Bahrain
its about 250 Riyal one way (about US$ 66), for example.
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Everything is available in KSA.
All your wants and needs from make-up to clothes.
All the foreign and designer shops are here for you.
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Dogs are harder to bring into the Kingdom but cats are not a problem.
Ask vets in your local country what the procedure is or you can contact
these people:. |
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Useful book to have is Eastern Province today (available
for 20 Riyals at Jarir Bookstore in Saudi).
Saudi Expat group on Yahoo groups is very useful as well. As is Saudi Pets
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Come to KSA with an open mind - it is very different to othercountries.
Editor's note: For more information about Saudi, please visit our Saudisection: |
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City Description
Healthcare
