ever been to saudi arabia?

I may get to go. I have a nurse friend who has been over there quite a few years. He told me about a job opening I am qualified for and I sent a resume. The lab wants to hire me and is trying to get the hospital to sponsor a work visa. I have never been anywhere and just looking for some cultural insights. Can't go to international travel or middle east message boards because I don't want to be identified as a minister.

Can't go to international travel or middle east message boards because I don't want to be identified as a minister.

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Then don't identify yourself that way.  Nobody is going to know unless you tell them...

Did a year in the 70's, worked on a construction project, lived in company compound. Even back then you had to be aware of the cultural differences. We stayed in the compound most of the time as we were working 6,12 hour days, so not much time for travel. Went to the public square and saw a beheading and the hand cut off a thief. Not something you'll soon forget. If you have your own apartment you will see more of the culture, good and bad. Just read up before you go as you don't want to run afoul of the law. Good spot to jump off for visits to Europe. 

Looked into going years ago. I concluded that you don't "get to go", you are bribed with exorbitant amounts of money to put up with it.
I opted out as I was married and didn't want to subject my wife or myself to the culture.
I'd be especially careful if I were a minister as they are very sensitive in that area.
JM2C,
Ernie

In 1998, I was offered a position in Jeddah to oversee the construction of a repair and outfitting yard for maxi-yachts and an adjacent marine supply outlet.  We would have lived in a compound with other foreigners with several conditions.  It was "suggested" that my wife dressed "accordingly" when in public (according to Muslim customs-although I was assured her dress would not be a legal issue, American dress would have been frowned upon).  No alcohol was allowed though I was told by Americans who had been there that you would be able to find some inside the compound.  I was offered an obscene amount of money with a guarantee of a large bonus at the end.  The terms of the contract were annual (one month vacation including airfare for the family) but I was "expected" to sign up for a minimum of two years (and four years would have been very "gracious").

I did not go to Jeddah and must admit that I have had second thoughts about the loss of the money, but I believed that the job and the extreme cultural differences would have led to the disruption of my family.   

Yes, I worked for the Aramco Oil Company and lived on the Aramco compound near the cities Kobar (BIG Safeway there) Dahmom (not spelled correctly).  If you go take a GOOD shortwave radio and wire antenna to string around your room so you can keep up with world news.

It was a great experience.  The Saudis I met and worked with were VERY nice folks and helpful.  I suspect that you would like it.

JerryF

Graduating from college in the early 70'S I went to an interview, or, more correctly an introduction.  There were jobs a plenty back then and not a lot of applicants so basically you had to be graduating and have warm blood.  Like someone else mentioned, I felt more like I was being sold an opportunity more than being interviewed for a job.  Most of the large companies trained you on the job anyhow and were not particularly looking for experience.  Having only been married a few years and looking forward to birth of our son very soon it never matured to the next step..I must admit there was some intrigue in the opportunity but intrigue can soon wear off so I am OK with my choice..

I assume from your handle that you've been a military chaplain. My current minister is a retired chaplain who had been stationed in 12 different countries. Since you said you "have never been anywhere" perhaps you weren't in the right denomination. 

I was either stationed in or traveled to most of the sand box countries in that area plus some of the others nearby. It was an interesting experience, but once you've seen a few camels and the desert....and more desert, it's all pretty much the same environment in the sand box countries. So job satisfaction would be a priority for me.

If you were allowed the time to do so, you could use Saudi as a jumping off place to visit some other countries like Jordon, Israel, and even Cyprus or Crete both of which are great places to visit.  Cairo, Egypt would be an adventure as far as seeing the pyramids, but the present political climate would need to be considered.

Good luck.

My husband in the last 10 years, has worked in Algeria, Chad, Camaroon, Qatar, and Angola.  He has never had any issues in any of the countries and most are primarily muslim.  He said its like anywhere you treat them with respect and most will do the same to you.  But its important to remember you are a guest in their country.

DD and I could have gone to Qatar for a visit for awhile and we considered it,  but I just didn't think that was something with my attitude and outspokeness would work well for us.  Most of the places I can't go as he lives in camps.

He is currently in Malawa, Borneo, Indonesia, its predominantly muslim, so same thing.  He has no problems getting along with people at any of his projects.

Our son has lived and worked in S Korea for over 15 years or more and same thing, he doesn't have an issue with it either.  I think it may depend on your personality and if you are able to enjoy different cultures, working conditions, and peoples.

Thanks for the insights. Just to answer a quick question brought up, I was never a military chaplain and do not deserve the honor and recognition that ought be shown them. By trade, I am a medical technologist, performing laboratory testing. I have for the past 15 years also volunteered as a hospital chaplain in whatever hospital I happen to be working at. I am ordained and trained to do such but have never sought professional employment as a chaplain. My heart is in it as a volunteer as God has provided me another means to meet my needs.

Thanks again. I am increasingly excited at the prospect and have determined to go if the visa is approved, much to my earthly father's dismay.

If God is in it, everything will work out, just don't forget the great commission.

I don't think you would want to go and start trying to spread the faith in those countries, I believe you could have issues pretty quick.  No problem going and working but I doubt they are very tolerant about trying to spread christianity there.  That might get you in trouble quick.  And remember their justice system is nothing like ours. 

In one country my husband was in they were instructed NOT to even pause or take pictures of the king or whatever he was called, house, they said they could get shot, same for their own countrymen.  They are given information for each country about what is sensitive issues and what to avoid like that.

In another there was known unrest, and they kept all their vehicles fully fueled and had a route that they would take if they had to leave the country.  Hubby said one day they had a quick visit of a helicopter and military there too, can't remember now but think they were french.  Hubby got along well with the guys working for him in the country and they told him not to worry, if anything happened they would help get him out.

So while everything has gone well and he has never had any issues the potential is there.  One he never wanted to work in and hasn't is Nigeria. 

I don't think you would want to go and start trying to spread the faith in those countries, I believe you could have issues pretty quick.

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A huge understatement where Saudi Arabia is concerned!  Jerry's contract specified that I could not accompany him.  You don't just go to visit Saudi Arabia.  You must be invited.  So you don't go to be a tourist or to spread your faith, regardless of which one it happens to be.  In retrospect, I'm glad I couldn't go because I would have had some serious issues with their treatment of women and probably would have said something I shouldn't.  Also, I would not want to dress in their required attire.  I don't dress immodestly, but even I couldn't meet their standards and frankly would not want to do so.

ArdraF

The middle east and Africa are volatile.  Right now hubby has some friends trapped in Nigeria.  He just talked to a secretary interpretor he knows.  She is multi lingual and of I think Syrian and some other nationality there so she works on the jobs with a lot of the guys, she is no spring chicken either.  Her husband is here in the states and disabled.

She told him today they cannot leave the compound at all they are locked down.  No one can leave and none of the guys on leave can get back in so right now rather tense I'm sure. They are hoping the situation rectifies itself but hasn't yet.  You never know in those places what can happen. Apparently they still have communications, hubby talked to her on Skype.

I just joined this site ten minutes ago and found this post. I live and work in Saudi Arabia now. I work for a world wide chemical company. We just built our 3rd plant in Al-Jubail. I worked here in 2008 from January to August - I came back in April of 2011. I'm planning on 2 or 3 more years.
Its definately not what you think. 95% of the people over here love Americans - they want the same things we want. A family, a job, a home, a nice car and money to eat out and take vacations. They are just now getting those things, and they know WHO it is that is making it happen. I have a 54 man crew - mostly Filipinos who are Christians. We pray together, talk about religion with the Muslims. They do their thing, we do ours. We can't openly "Preach" but we all have our Bibles, we say a prayer at meal time even if we're sitting with muslims. They don't care, they just sit there not eating until we finish our thanks, then we all dig in. They pray 5 times a day, we respect that, and they respect us. Really, its that simple, I promise.
I have a lot of Saudi friends, Indian friends, Nepal, Filipino, UK, France, Aussie and of course fellow Americans. This country is as much a melting pot as the US. I love living and working here.
I get 4 trips a year with TONS of time off. My wife came over in November for a month. She lOVED it! She can't wait to come back.
Its not what you think. Of course it all depends on WHERE you go over here. Just like the US has Blue and Red states, the same holds true here. There are areas of radicals.
I live in Al-Jubail right up the coast from Dahran, Dammam and Khobar - Very near Bahrain and Qatar. Its mostly industiral and blue collar.

I might add, if you like to fish? The fishing is great and you don't need a license, just GO! Charter boats are very reasonable. We have SCUBA shops, dive boats, white sand beaches and crystal clear water. There ain't no RVing though... But we do have every western eatery you can imagine. Chilis, TGIFridays, Applebees, Outback, and all the fast food you can eat. You just can't get pork. Pork Porn and Alcohol are forbidden. But every westerner worth his salt can teach you how to make your own beer, (if you drink beer )
The western compounds are really nice. I live in one called Murjan. We have sea side beaches, 3 pools, rec center, walking paths, convenience store and cafe, all surrounded by guns and razor wired walls.
I better ease up, I'm writting a book. Not my intent... I hope this helps. Good luck

Thanks for the first hand report, PawPaw. I'm sure that it opened a lot of eyes.

Only one time, back in 88'.... Went in with Dip passport, sat in the airport for 6hrs waiting for a flight.... they confiscated my boots, sat in the airport with my socks... very strange ordeal!  30mins before departure they gave me my boots back, got on my flight and departed.  Life as a Marine Security Guard! 

jje1960 said:

Only one time, back in 88'.... Went in with Dip passport, sat in the airport for 6hrs waiting for a flight.... they confiscated my boots, sat in the airport with my socks... very strange ordeal!  30mins before departure they gave me my boots back, got on my flight and departed.  Life as a Marine Security Guard!

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Why did they take your boots?

No clue!  Other than I had a visa and could have left the airport waiting for my flight which was a number of hours later....  If that was the reason it worked just fine... with only socks on I sat there in the airport.