Anyone been to Saudi for Work

[Brussels Slumdog]

3 months was 1 month too long

After 2 months the last month was really boring.

The main problem is that there was no social life in the compounds.

There are no Brits left hense no parties. The new expats buy a large bag of rice at the beginning of the month and 10lbs of beef and never socialise.The word socialising doesn't exist in the new IT offshore workers vocabulary.

[northernladuk]

If you are looking for a life changing experience try Africa. Some hair raising places to work there.

[TestMangler]

It's known to get a bit warm. Oh, and don't try to poke any local women. They take a dim view.....

[Fred Bloggs]

Go to Australia instead, higher rates there than in the middle east.

[northernladuk]

I had this idea a couple of years ago to 'test myself' type thing. Monster have a gulf section you can look at. One thing that is clear is that the rates suck. A majority of the rates I saw out there, Dubai and other gulf countries would have put me out of pocket compared to the UK. The gold rush is well over in the MEA region. Places like Dubai are the Bob's route to England so often cut their teeth their ready to get roles in UK and Europe.

The only reason I would go over there now is if there was one country I wanted to work in for personal reasons. You are more likely to be out of pocket but come back with some tales and an experience.

Luckily in the last two years I have managed to get over to a few countries for a week or two at a time and it was enough. Very interesting place but not somewhere I would bust a gut to go. It is as hot as hell mid year, I don't do heat particularly and I found it uncomfortable to the point it just wasn't for me. The culture was terrific however but you have to be very aware. You can't just go waltzing in and expect to be accomodated like we do in every other country we go to. Respect is a huge thing over there, something most of the Americans do not consider so it's no wonder they are universely hated in the region.

Unless you have some burning desire to go then I wouldn't bother anymore. If you are doing it for the $$$'s forget it.

[Moff]

Male and Early 30's

[DodgyAgent]

Hi All,

Spend most of my time looking and not posting that much
Spent a year in Germany, been back in the Uk for 18 Months.

Now thinking about going to Saudi (if I don't find a Uk contract soon), as can be lucrative.

Has anyone got any experience / contacts / thoughts ?

If you are over 60, Jewish or female forget it

[DaveB]

It's certainly not the gold mine it used to be. Check the sums very carefully and make sure it's actually worth doing it.

There are some real horror stories around of people going out there to work and then being refused an exit visa (yes you do need one) because someone at the client decided they didn't like them. Many Saudi clients require you to surrender your passport to them while you are there as well.

[Moff]

Hi All,

Spend most of my time looking and not posting that much
Spent a year in Germany, been back in the Uk for 18 Months.

Now thinking about going to Saudi (if I don't find a Uk contract soon), as can be lucrative.

Has anyone got any experience / contacts / thoughts ?