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Post by Mchuzmix on Aug 1, 2013 6:40:06 GMT
Hi everybody,
Thank you to everyone who has posted and given so much good information about relocating to KSA. I just got done with my Orientation and Visa Medicals this past week in Houston. All of my paperwork is submitted and I am now just waiting to hear back on the visa. Now that things are wrapping up and the clock is ticking very loudly, I am kinda freaking out about leaving. I am a single female and I am concerned about meeting other young singles once I get there. I am excited to start new in KSA and meet new people and don't have trouble at all making new friends. How is the transition into compound life, as far as what to expect: the type of people I will meet, food places, shopping, vacation time?? After orientation, I was informed that they are wanting to get this next group out by October 1st! Short time to plan everything!!Please help ease my mind!
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Post by vpainter on Aug 1, 2013 13:45:56 GMT
There are many singles here. You will not have a problem meeting new people from all over the world. If you want an adventure, you will have one.
First settling in can be a little unsettling as it will all be new to you, just as if you'd moved somewhere new back home. The difference will be you won't be driving. You will learn to use the buses and taxis and private drivers.
There are food places on each compound and restaurants that deliver to some of them. Or you can take a taxi and go to local restaurants. You will meet new friends and coworkers who will show you the ropes.
There are huge malls here. You won't see all the stores you are used to, but there will be a few, plus a whole lot of new ones. Food from all over the world is available in restaurants and in the grocery stores and commissary. If you need something, someone will be able to tell you where to find it, or you learn to go online and find subsutes. Shopping times are limited around prayer times but you learn to work around them.
Vacation time is plentiful and you will become a world traveler if you desire to be. Groups travel together, friends travel together or you can go by yourself.
Blessings for a safe trip and a smooth transition!
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Post by Guiness10 on Aug 1, 2013 14:02:50 GMT
HI, I am a single female moving out too. No orientation as yet that is 15th August, but I only have 3-4 weeks to plan and move. I have the same concerns but am treating it like a new adventure and have been assured that there is a great life there Good luck with the move  |
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Post by Mchuzmix on Aug 2, 2013 6:19:05 GMT
Thanks Vpainter and Guiness10 for all of your responses. Another question I have was "Are you allowed to take vacation within the first year of being there?"
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Post by vpainter on Aug 2, 2013 12:31:29 GMT
If you arrive in KSA prior to Dec 31, then you can take a repat vacation receiving repat vacation funds during the next year with supervisor approval. If you arrive Jan 1 or after you might be able to take time off (supervisor approved) or travel on the Eid Holidays, but it will all be paid by you. You will not get a repat funded vacation until after the next Jan 1.
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Post by Guiness10 on Aug 2, 2013 14:44:20 GMT
so Vpainter are you saying that you cannot take any time off for a year?? I thought you got 30 days holiday per annum??
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derekg
Senior Member
Posts: 107
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Post by derekg on Aug 2, 2013 15:20:36 GMT
You have vacation time you can use in your first year of employment, but do not expect to take any until you complete your 90 day probationary period. Any vacation requires approval by your supervisor and some departments have policies that affect when you can take vacation. The annual repatriation vacation, where you are required to be out of the Kingdom for 14 leave days requires one year of service prior to taking it. There are many subtleties to vacation here, most of which will be clear once you arrive and receive the orientation here. Once you understand the subtleties, you will find that it can work well for you.
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Post by Guiness10 on Aug 2, 2013 15:34:24 GMT
Derekg thank you for the explanation but weekends I can still go to Bahrain??
90 days probation ok thats good to know. I think I can work with anything as long as I can have time off to explore:D
Again thank you for clarifying this issue
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Post by Twofeets on Aug 2, 2013 17:31:36 GMT
Which camp are you going to? If its DH then you should have no problem meeting singles. The districts have lower populations but there's still people to meet.
As to Bahrain, as soon as you arrive start pushing to get your iqama and multi entry exit visa. Once you have that you can go to Bahrain as often as you wish. We live in RT and go a few times a month, I know people in DH who go a few times a week! (movies, bars, dancing, etc).
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Post by Guiness10 on Aug 2, 2013 17:41:45 GMT
Twofeets my letter says DH but subject to change ... I hope it is and I will ensure I push for the permit and visa.
I am looking forward to meeting everyone and getting involved in life out there
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Post by vpainter on Aug 3, 2013 7:19:30 GMT
Guiness10,
Please retread what I wrote. You can take time off/vacation time but if you arrive after Jan 1 you will not receive repat vacation money until the following year. You can go any weekend you want as long as you have gotten your multi entry exit resident visa. Should you arrive in KSA prior to Jan 1, then you will get repat vacation money for 2014. If you arrive after Jan 1, 2014 you will not get the repat vacation money until Jan 1, 2015. Does not mean you cannot take a vacation, it means it comes out of your pocket.
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Post by Orchid on Aug 3, 2013 12:14:41 GMT
Ladies: As someone 'New' who has only been here since the end of June, I can reassure you that you wont have any problem meeting new people. Everyone is 'super kind' here, they cant do enough to help you settle in, from your work colleagues, to your neighbours and random people in the supermarket. This was the best decision I personally ever made Feel free to PM me with any other questions you might have. |
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Post by laselva on Aug 3, 2013 14:46:47 GMT
Greetings vpainter et al - my question regrading the 14 calendar day requirement to be out of the country after completion of one year of employment is.."does KSA rules or Aramco vacation subtleties mandate a range of months within which you have to fullfill this requirment or you can fullfill this requirement during any time period across 12 months of the year?" Thanks in advance
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Post by vpainter on Aug 3, 2013 16:11:48 GMT
There are no set dates for vacation times unless determined by your department manager.
There are no set policies to determine when an employee throughout the year must take their vacation, but some department managers make rules to govern their department as they determine how to meet department needs.
Routinely, most people I know across the company takes vacation when you want, although it usually has to be pre planned and a projection for the year needs to be submitted for approval from supervisors/dept. managers. Each dept. manager sets when that planning would take place.
Hope this no specific answer helps.
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derekg
Senior Member
Posts: 107
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Post by derekg on Aug 3, 2013 16:43:44 GMT
Guiness10 - to answer your question, weekends you are free to do what you will as far as travel provided you are not required to work. Many people go to Bahrain on the weekends, while many also decide to stay in the Kingdom. There is a lot to do in both places, and the downside to Bahrain is the causeway can be unpredictable for traffic. Easiest thing to do is just see what you need to keep yourself occupied once you get here. I usually stay around Dhahran most weekends since there is a lot here that interests me and many really good people who help while away the hours :-)
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