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Post by eeyore14 on Apr 9, 2014 20:15:32 GMT
Hi everyone,
It's been a few weeks since we submitted BI and medical docs and now awaiting clearance. Meanwhile, my husband continues to interview and landed on another job offer (locally). This other job offer (that we have to decide to pass or not in 5 days) sends a WAKE-UP call to re-evaluate our decision about moving to KSA.
Those of you who have just starting working & living in KSA and 'veterans' out there, please share your personal 'top 3 likes/dislikes' here to help us have a clearer picture of what real life really is in KSA.
What is the top 3 things that you LIKE and DON'T LIKE about working/living in KSA that is (significantly) different from your home country?
Thanks for sharing!
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Wutz
Senior Member
Posts: 143
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Post by Wutz on Apr 10, 2014 3:18:26 GMT
Hi eeyore14,
I sympathize with where you're coming from - contemplating a move to KSA can seem overwhelming. All of the changes and unknowns at once are more than most of us have ever considered before.
You may not get a lot of responses - what you're asking is not all that simple to answer. Everyone is different and will have different experiences here, and if you asked me what my 3/3 list was 2 months after arriving and now, the answers would be completely different.
(Note: For me, it's a lot easier to come up with likes, and they vastly outweigh the dislikes)
Top 3 likes:
1) Vastly more time with my family (than at my old job in the States). For me at least, I have a much better work/life balance here.
2) So many possible leisure time activities possible that I can only pursue a tiny fraction of the things I am interested in (sailing, beach time, golf, horse-riding, camping, desert exploration, local trips, kids sports activities, etc., etc., etc.).
3) Being surrounded by people from vastly different cultures and backgrounds and professions, including Saudis and expats.
Top 3 dislikes:
1) Extremely dangerous roads outside the camp. Way too many reckless/untrained drivers. You can mitigate the risk, but at first the roads are terrifying.
2) Schedule limits for shopping outside (most important for my wife). Stores close from 12-4 during the day, and don't open Friday mornings. Traffic gets more dangerous after 4 pm, so that leaves Saay mornings from 8, or 9, or 10 opening time until noon for much of our shopping outside camp. More adventurous folks go shopping in the evenings, but the driving is too stressful for me to go unless it's urgent. Note that most of my Saudi Aramcon friends drive in the 'dangerous' hours all the time, and I haven't lost a fried to traffic accident yet (Alhamdulillah).
3) Considerably less professional work satisfaction. I was a top technical expert at a top technical company, working on stuff that is extremely important to Saudi Aramco's future. Much of my time here is used for 'Generic Smart-guy' stuff here, utilizing a tiny fraction of my professional potential. It's due to a lot of things - internal company 'silos' diminish resource sharing, and there are talent shortages all over the place (not that easy to recruit top class talent to work here). Note how this particular dislike is related to my top 'Like' above!
Wutz
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Post by Ian on Apr 12, 2014 2:52:18 GMT
Hi Wutz,
I have a very good GC level job offer from Aramco. The compensation package is slightly better than my current job. What attracts me to Aramco is what I hear a better "work life balance". My current job which is a senior management position at a petrochemical company, is a 24x7x365 job, with large accountability and responsibility to a point of affecting my health. I read with interest your #1 like and your #3 dislike. I am attracted to your #1 like but worried about your #3 dislike. Is it possible for you to PM me so that I can discuss more in detail. For some reason, I am not able to send a PM. Thanks a lot.
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Post by eeyore14 on Apr 15, 2014 3:41:04 GMT
Wutz, Thank you so much for sharing your experience! This forum has given us so much knowledge, clarity and confidence with the move. After much deliberation and soul-searching, my husband and I are excited to say "Aramco-it-is"! Orientation is scheduled in a couple of weeks and we are totally psyche that we're a step closer to KSA. Now... should I buy a new grill for bbq, a trampoline for my kids, what else should we bring?  eeyore14 |
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cgyguy
Advanced Member
Posts: 90
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Post by cgyguy on Apr 15, 2014 4:57:52 GMT
Eeyore, There are a couple of very good posts under FAQ's forum: "What do I Bring..." With plenty of info about it, check it out. Although, probably is wise not to rush right now until being closer to the end of the process with more clarity of what to expect. Bring a lot of questions to the Orientation, take advantage of it, it is a great resource.... Good luck (and be patient) |
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Post by O&GEngg on Apr 15, 2014 16:19:57 GMT
Hey Eeyore - love your username by the way (wife and I are Disney-addicts) Anyways, I also second what cgyguy said. Much of what you bring in terms of outdoor items will somewhat depend what community you are assigned to. The official line right now is that Dhahran (the main community) is full and many people are being assigned to other communities (namely Rakah and Abqaiq). I also believe that Ras Tanura is at capacity but someone else may be able to tell you for certain. You can find more information on each of these communities here: viewforum.php?f=52Once you've been assigned a relocation advisor they should be able to provide you with a plethora of information on each community. I don't know a lot about Abqaiq as my family is more than likely going to Rakah. Rakah in particular doesn't have much for a backyard. I believe the backyard is essentially a 16' x 16' cement pad. Have a look on Facebook for "Saudi Scenes" as they have a lot of pictures of Rakah. I'm not sure if I'm allowed post a link to it. It takes a bit of looking but I think it was originally posted back in 2013 sometime. |
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Post by Esra on Apr 30, 2014 15:11:15 GMT
Good morning.
If you would kindly let me know what GC level is this job falls under, I will really appreciate it.
Project Engineer - Civil
Minimum Requirements Bachelor's degree in Engineering with Fifteen years of related experience, preferably in the oil industry or similar process industry.
Duties & Responsibilities Designs or studies structural modifications to facilities such as industrial shop buildings, warehouses, residences, marine piers, oil handling, processing, stoe and pipeline facilities, facilities, sewer systems, roads and streets. Occasionally called upon to design new facilities of the types mentioned. Execute capital projects according to the scope, schedule and budget. Responsibility for project development: preliminary engineering to detail designs to construction and the final and safe turnover to proponent. Manage General Engineering Services (GES) design contractor activities during the development of project proposal, include definition of project work scope and schedule requirements. Development of detailed estimates leading to funding appropriation and approval. Development and preparation of contracting plan and strategy for solicitation, evaluation and awarding of contract for detailed engineering, procurement
and construction. Manage contractor preparation of detailed design drawings, material specifications and procurement, and/or construction bid packages. Coordinate activities and resolve issues among proponents, contractors and other parties to allow construction activities to progress according to plan and final mechanical completion.
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