…to stop teaching at the women's college. I love it and I do look forward to the classes. The women there are so happy to learn and I have so much fun teaching and exchanging our cultures, but with new laws in Kingdom regarding expats and teaching, I just can't afford to teach anymore.
This past year, expats were given an amnesty period to clean up any incorrect paperwork and iqama (residency permit) information in order to avoid deportation or fines. The amnesty period ended at the beginning of November. Although we (my family) is in Kingdom and we were completely ok, teachers, specifically expat teachers came under fire as new laws were put into place, requiring them to receive a license to teach. See the following article from Arab News: Relief for Female Expat Teachers.
Many have completed the certifications and received their permits to work, while still staying under sponsorship from their husbands. However, the following article from Arab News was released recently stating that by January, teachers may have to change their sponsorship from family status to that of the school they are working for: Female Teachers Have Until January 6 to Transfer Visas.
This is a problem for us. With working only part time, the school will not offer me a contract with my own iqama and if I were to leave family status with my husband's employer we lose many family benefits, so it's just not worth it and I decided to resign. I was offered the chance to volunteer to teach, however with paying for daycare for Abby (the classes I teach are continuing Ed and only offered in the afternoon for women who work) it's just not feasible to volunteer. So, I am once again a true stay at home mom.
I am certainly going to miss the college and the girls. I really loved teaching, but things happen for a reason. I now have more time to spend with Abby in the afternoon and some of the things I've been wanting to do around the house, I also may be able to accomplish - like painting and cleaning up our garden a bit more. Also, Abby's best friend here is 2 and not in preschool yet, so the two girls are having serious play date withdrawals. With me not working at the college, they are able to spend more time together in the afternoons, and I get more adult time with my good friends as well, so it's a win win for Abby and I both.
I just want to add that I think what the Kingdom is doing in the way of education is wonderful for the elementary and secondary schools. With Abby starting school here I'm happy to see them regulating the schools, including private and international schools and making sure that the teachers hired are appropriate and capable to teach the subjects they are instructing. It's a good concept and they are quick to the punch. Once they decide something here, it is completed rapidly.
The Kingdom's actions on illegals in the country has been fast as well. Directly after the deadline, there were and still are lines to deport those men and women without proper paperwork. It's not easy and there have been some problems in the process and continue to be, however, I do have to applaud their efforts especially compared to home. Saudi Arabia certainly does not beat around the bush, and rather acts upon their intents quickly and whole heartedly.
Here in Yanbu, the effect has been felt a bit, but not to the extent of what you read in the papers for the larger cities. Teachers are a bit on edge, and some houseboys have stopped working the side jobs at private homes, but life is still moving along, and there are no riots or protests, or even people camping out at government buildings or the airport here. Yanbu is a small, quiet town and things are still very normal here, albeit there are some dirty cars as many houseboys were in charge of washing the cars!
I do try to avoid posting opinions on social issues here on my site, but this does affect me to a point, so I wanted to comment on it. Also, I read the criticism in the news from others regarding the recent events here, but having lived here and seeing it from a different perspective, I can understand the Kingdom's intent and what they are working to accomplish. It's no different than the efforts in the US. Immigrants and expats are welcome, as long as the proper documentation is in place and they work within the confines of the laws. If only it were that cut and dry I know!
Things change here rapidly. There is not a vote that needs to be taken in order to put laws in place, and many laws, as in the States, are not cut and dry. There is always a loophole and everything is open to interpretation. It makes life here interesting. What happened for one expat will more than likely change for the next. The way visas are processed is different for those coming now then it was just a year ago when we arrived. On a Saturday this summer, the Kingdom put out a decree that the work week will change from Saturday to Wednesday to Sunday to Thursday starting the following week (can you imagine just up and changing the work week in the US with only a few days notice?). That's why when becoming an expat you have to stay flexible. You have little control and life is ever changing. It's an adventure for sure! Who knows what this life may bring next!