FAQs
How did you decide to move to Saudi Arabia?
Well, it wasn't one of our top 50, or 100 choices of places to live, but here we are. My husband was job hunting and was offered a position here. He actually had his first interview before even mentioning it to me. He came home one evening and broke the news. We did A LOT of research and I was lucky enough to connect with some women via FaceBook who were living in Yanbu, so I had quite a bit of information before we made the decision. I had worked as an expat in Finland prior to meeting my husband, and he had traveled all through his career. Our daughter was young so we took the chance and made the leap!
Do you feel safe?
This was one of my first questions, and yes, I do. Actually I feel safer here than anywhere I have lived before. You do use common sense. Do not walk alone at night or down ally ways, keep an eye out, the usual things you would do in the states, but Saudi is extremely safe. You can feel very secure shopping and moving around the city by yourself as a woman. I walk throughout our community with my daughter and to the parks during the day, and the women go shopping as well during the day.
In general the Saudi people are very nice and many are just curious. My daughter is blonde hair and blue eyes, so we stick out, but we have had no problems at all. Actually many people will kiss my child, hug her, talk to her, shake her hand and give her chocolates and balloons. She thinks she's a princess here!
What do you do all day?
I'm a stay at home mom. We home preschool, have play dates, go to the park, clean, cook a regular housewife! I've worked since I was 15 years old, so this is probably the hardest transition for me. Life is what you make of it. I find ways to keep busy and am learning to enjoy slowing down a bit. Although I have to admit, I think I may be busier here than in the states.
UPDATE: Abby has started preschool so now I have mornings free - well as free as I can. I still get together with the women, shop, and take a little more time to myself. I'm also teaching 2 classes at the women's college in the afternoons, so I'm still busy and on the go. Abby does go to a day care a the college so her days are filled with playing and learning right now!
What are the laws for women?
OK, we are in Saudi Arabia, and it's no secret that there are restrictions for women. Yes, I do have to wear an abaya (long black dress), but I do not have to cover my face or hair. I do carry a scarf with me at all times, just in case I am asked to cover. There are Mutawah, or religous police, that will, from time to time, patrol and ask western women to cover their heads.
No, I cannot drive. A law was just passed that women can ride bicycles, but not as transportation. Women cannot ride a horse either, so we have drivers and taxis (and husbands) to take us places. Yes, I do need a "guardian" ie my husband in country with me at all times. Women are not educated here like men, but that is changing. There is a women's college here in Yanbu, and there are 2 women's gyms for exercise and gathering. Slowly women are gaining rights here. Many are able to work as teachers, medical fields and in retail stores.
All that being said, you adjust, and it's not that traumatic. You wear your abaya like a coat, over your clothes. You get more exercise walking, and well, driving is overrated. You just remind your husband that within the walls of the home, we're still western citizens :)
No alcohol or pork?
Nope. No alcohol or pork products are allowed in the country. This includes mouthwashes and flavorings for baking. There are non-alcohol brands sold here. They are not the same, but they work. Pork, well, we're probably all adding a few years to our lives without bacon, sausage and ham! :)
Your weekend is what?
Yes, the weekends are a bit different here. Friday is the Holy Day, so the weekends are Thursday and Friday. That means that the work week is Saturday thru Wednesday. No matter how long I live here, that will always throw me. It's hard to think of Saturday as Monday and Wednesday as Friday, and as any expat will tell you we frequently mix up the days of the week.
UPDATE: The weekend has changed. As of June 2013 the new weekend is now Friday and Saturday, aligning it with other countries in the Middle East. It's a little easier for westerners, but I had programmed myself for Thursday and Friday when in Saudi, so now I feel like I'm starting all over again - and I'm sure I'm still going to mix up the days of the week!
What is the schedule for Prayer?
There are 5 prayer times per day, and everything stops for prayer. The schedule is one early morning, one around noon, another around 4-5, a fourth around 6-7 and a final one 8-9pm. The times change with the position of the sun and Mecca, so they vary by one to two minutes each day. All expats will tell you there is an ap for that, and we have downloaded prayer times on our smart phones. All stores close at prayer, so you learn to strategically plan shopping trips.
The call to prayer and prayer itself is announced over loudspeakers at the mosques. Each mosque has its own call to prayer. Our home just happens to sit directly between two mosques so we hear dueling prayer calls. It's really interesting to hear the different techniques and tones they use, while saying the same words.
Because of the frequent prayer times, the best time to go shopping is morning, between 9:30am and noon. It's the longest stretch to shop and stores are often quiet. Many Saudi's shop late after the last prayer as the stores are open til around 1am. By 10pm the malls and grocery stores are very crowded, think holiday shopping but a sea of black and white. For us, that's just not doable with a 3 year old, so we tend to go early mornings and try to squeeze it all in.
What foods are available?
Generally, you can find most things, or substitutes. However, there are no preservatives on the vegetables and fruit so fresh means fresh. We shop about 2-3 times per week, because things tend to spoil more quickly here. It's also a good reason to get out of the house in the evening! :) There are things I miss, cornmeal (we did live in the south), soda selections are limited, cheese varieties are limited and good hot dogs. I will say it again, it's the little things you miss.
What English schools are there in the area?
There are 2 schools, Radhwa International and Yanbu International (YIS) in Yanbu. My daughter is 4 and attends Pre-K at Radhwa International School American Curriculum, but most expat children attend Yanbu International School (YIS) in Yanbu.
Yanbu International is a more established school and the one that most expats use, as it's been in the city for over 30 years. Many of the wives teach here as well. It is an ISG school and is co-ed where Radhwa is split after 3rd grade into Boys and Girls campuses. I don't know much about YIS, however. YIS accepts Pre-K at 4 years old so my daughter didn't qualify this past year based on age. Radhwa accepts Pre-K at 3 years, so we opted to enroll her this past year at Radhwa.
Radhwa just opened it's doors in the Fall 2012 and so it's newer and growing. I have taught for 1 quarter there in 6th, 9th and 10th grade English, in addition to Abby attending. I'm actually quite impressed with the school and we're happy with our decision. All teachers have a bachelors or masters and the classes are taught in English (except Arabic and Islamic studies). The curriculum is Pearson and the school adheres strictly to the American Curriculum for all classes. At this time there is not a gym, but it is under construction as well as a stage and a drama program.
You can find more information about Yanbu International School on their website http://www.isgyis.org.
You can find more information about Radhwa International School on their FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/RadhwaInternationalSchool. This is a break-off of an established Radhwa International School for Indian students in Yanbu as well. The English school does focus on an American Curriculum and is certified by AdvancED.
Would you do it again?
In a heartbeat. The experiences and friends we have made are amazing, and how many people can say that they live in Saudi Arabia? I really try to enjoy every minute. Do I get frustrated? Of course, but I did that in the USA too. I really feel blessed to show my daughter how big the world is and love to see the look on her face as she discovers new things.
Well, it wasn't one of our top 50, or 100 choices of places to live, but here we are. My husband was job hunting and was offered a position here. He actually had his first interview before even mentioning it to me. He came home one evening and broke the news. We did A LOT of research and I was lucky enough to connect with some women via FaceBook who were living in Yanbu, so I had quite a bit of information before we made the decision. I had worked as an expat in Finland prior to meeting my husband, and he had traveled all through his career. Our daughter was young so we took the chance and made the leap!
Do you feel safe?
This was one of my first questions, and yes, I do. Actually I feel safer here than anywhere I have lived before. You do use common sense. Do not walk alone at night or down ally ways, keep an eye out, the usual things you would do in the states, but Saudi is extremely safe. You can feel very secure shopping and moving around the city by yourself as a woman. I walk throughout our community with my daughter and to the parks during the day, and the women go shopping as well during the day.
In general the Saudi people are very nice and many are just curious. My daughter is blonde hair and blue eyes, so we stick out, but we have had no problems at all. Actually many people will kiss my child, hug her, talk to her, shake her hand and give her chocolates and balloons. She thinks she's a princess here!
What do you do all day?
I'm a stay at home mom. We home preschool, have play dates, go to the park, clean, cook a regular housewife! I've worked since I was 15 years old, so this is probably the hardest transition for me. Life is what you make of it. I find ways to keep busy and am learning to enjoy slowing down a bit. Although I have to admit, I think I may be busier here than in the states.
UPDATE: Abby has started preschool so now I have mornings free - well as free as I can. I still get together with the women, shop, and take a little more time to myself. I'm also teaching 2 classes at the women's college in the afternoons, so I'm still busy and on the go. Abby does go to a day care a the college so her days are filled with playing and learning right now!
What are the laws for women?
OK, we are in Saudi Arabia, and it's no secret that there are restrictions for women. Yes, I do have to wear an abaya (long black dress), but I do not have to cover my face or hair. I do carry a scarf with me at all times, just in case I am asked to cover. There are Mutawah, or religous police, that will, from time to time, patrol and ask western women to cover their heads.
No, I cannot drive. A law was just passed that women can ride bicycles, but not as transportation. Women cannot ride a horse either, so we have drivers and taxis (and husbands) to take us places. Yes, I do need a "guardian" ie my husband in country with me at all times. Women are not educated here like men, but that is changing. There is a women's college here in Yanbu, and there are 2 women's gyms for exercise and gathering. Slowly women are gaining rights here. Many are able to work as teachers, medical fields and in retail stores.
All that being said, you adjust, and it's not that traumatic. You wear your abaya like a coat, over your clothes. You get more exercise walking, and well, driving is overrated. You just remind your husband that within the walls of the home, we're still western citizens :)
No alcohol or pork?
Nope. No alcohol or pork products are allowed in the country. This includes mouthwashes and flavorings for baking. There are non-alcohol brands sold here. They are not the same, but they work. Pork, well, we're probably all adding a few years to our lives without bacon, sausage and ham! :)
Your weekend is what?
Yes, the weekends are a bit different here. Friday is the Holy Day, so the weekends are Thursday and Friday. That means that the work week is Saturday thru Wednesday. No matter how long I live here, that will always throw me. It's hard to think of Saturday as Monday and Wednesday as Friday, and as any expat will tell you we frequently mix up the days of the week.
UPDATE: The weekend has changed. As of June 2013 the new weekend is now Friday and Saturday, aligning it with other countries in the Middle East. It's a little easier for westerners, but I had programmed myself for Thursday and Friday when in Saudi, so now I feel like I'm starting all over again - and I'm sure I'm still going to mix up the days of the week!
What is the schedule for Prayer?
There are 5 prayer times per day, and everything stops for prayer. The schedule is one early morning, one around noon, another around 4-5, a fourth around 6-7 and a final one 8-9pm. The times change with the position of the sun and Mecca, so they vary by one to two minutes each day. All expats will tell you there is an ap for that, and we have downloaded prayer times on our smart phones. All stores close at prayer, so you learn to strategically plan shopping trips.
The call to prayer and prayer itself is announced over loudspeakers at the mosques. Each mosque has its own call to prayer. Our home just happens to sit directly between two mosques so we hear dueling prayer calls. It's really interesting to hear the different techniques and tones they use, while saying the same words.
Because of the frequent prayer times, the best time to go shopping is morning, between 9:30am and noon. It's the longest stretch to shop and stores are often quiet. Many Saudi's shop late after the last prayer as the stores are open til around 1am. By 10pm the malls and grocery stores are very crowded, think holiday shopping but a sea of black and white. For us, that's just not doable with a 3 year old, so we tend to go early mornings and try to squeeze it all in.
What foods are available?
Generally, you can find most things, or substitutes. However, there are no preservatives on the vegetables and fruit so fresh means fresh. We shop about 2-3 times per week, because things tend to spoil more quickly here. It's also a good reason to get out of the house in the evening! :) There are things I miss, cornmeal (we did live in the south), soda selections are limited, cheese varieties are limited and good hot dogs. I will say it again, it's the little things you miss.
What English schools are there in the area?
There are 2 schools, Radhwa International and Yanbu International (YIS) in Yanbu. My daughter is 4 and attends Pre-K at Radhwa International School American Curriculum, but most expat children attend Yanbu International School (YIS) in Yanbu.
Yanbu International is a more established school and the one that most expats use, as it's been in the city for over 30 years. Many of the wives teach here as well. It is an ISG school and is co-ed where Radhwa is split after 3rd grade into Boys and Girls campuses. I don't know much about YIS, however. YIS accepts Pre-K at 4 years old so my daughter didn't qualify this past year based on age. Radhwa accepts Pre-K at 3 years, so we opted to enroll her this past year at Radhwa.
Radhwa just opened it's doors in the Fall 2012 and so it's newer and growing. I have taught for 1 quarter there in 6th, 9th and 10th grade English, in addition to Abby attending. I'm actually quite impressed with the school and we're happy with our decision. All teachers have a bachelors or masters and the classes are taught in English (except Arabic and Islamic studies). The curriculum is Pearson and the school adheres strictly to the American Curriculum for all classes. At this time there is not a gym, but it is under construction as well as a stage and a drama program.
You can find more information about Yanbu International School on their website http://www.isgyis.org.
You can find more information about Radhwa International School on their FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/RadhwaInternationalSchool. This is a break-off of an established Radhwa International School for Indian students in Yanbu as well. The English school does focus on an American Curriculum and is certified by AdvancED.
Would you do it again?
In a heartbeat. The experiences and friends we have made are amazing, and how many people can say that they live in Saudi Arabia? I really try to enjoy every minute. Do I get frustrated? Of course, but I did that in the USA too. I really feel blessed to show my daughter how big the world is and love to see the look on her face as she discovers new things.