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Post by tracieb87 on Jun 7, 2018 11:35:13 GMT
Dear All,
My husband has been offered a very good package with Aramco, Jazan.
We have three children - 5yr, 2.5yrs and 6 months and currently live in the UK, have never lived abroad and are fairly locally to our families.
Please can I ask people’s views on changing our lives and living abroad, living in Aramco compounds - living apart from partners Sunday to Thursday and moving with children?
I’m very supportive of husband but I also want to make the right call for our family on whether we join him in SA or remain in the UK.
I’m sure this is a very common thread topic but I’d be so grateful of any advice and particularly views of wife’s out there/husbands living without family?
Thank you so much -
T x
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Post by tracieb87 on Jun 7, 2018 11:36:19 GMT
I might add the other option is he goes alone and we remain home in the UK. I’d appreciate thoughts on this too?
T x
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swan
Senior Member
Posts: 209
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Post by swan on Jun 10, 2018 12:04:28 GMT
The reason why (I think) there are options to have family in kingdom, all family at home, or kids at boarding school (obviously not for the ages of your kids!) is because different set ups suit different families. You have to weigh up what is right for you.
We are all out here - came with kids a little bit older than your biggest 2 (4 and 6 at move). For us it was the right decision. But Jazan isnt in the mix for us, and we also came out at a time when there was very limited Aramco accomadation, so we live in the community.
Me (as trailing spouse) has probably had the greatest adjustment - I went from FT work in the UK to SAHM to 2 kids at primary. Kids get more swimming, a much broader out look on life, but fundamently little change - school, play, eat, sleep isn't massively dependant on location!
Hope that helps s bit. There isn't a one answer fits all!
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Post by tracieb87 on Jun 10, 2018 19:53:54 GMT
Hey.
Thanks for the reply. What is it like living in the community? May I ask which school you opted for?
I think I am most anxious about is that if potentially husband is in Jazan Sun - Thurs, how will the kids and I get one with a complete country change and being on our own?! I’m very independent and can just get on with things but I am worried about this. Very different if he was with us 7 days of the week ... would justify moving there, but can we justify moving us all, being quite isolated with who and what we know for some time before we settle?! Also, whilst I know the media is quite to show the negatives of SA, it’s a country that no one would let’s face it - encoue a young family to move to! I’ve read so much positive though and part of me thinks the opportunity could be fantastic.
I am a teacher myself so I’d like to think that a job opportunity might present itself to me when all the kids are old enough for school.
Thanks for your reply - Tracie xx
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swan
Senior Member
Posts: 209
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Post by swan on Jun 16, 2018 6:14:33 GMT
We went for the first British School that had spaces! Along with accomadation, schooling was in very short supply 3 years ago!
I know a number of families where Jazan is in the mix. One has gone home, one is trying living in Jeddah to reduce the commute. The others (5 off the top of my head) are still here. Usually Jazan workers are based in the eastern province for thr first few months - tho of course it may take most of that time to get you and the kids out here, at least things are set up.
There is also (in my experience anyway) a massive "extended family" effect amongst the trailing spouses. No-one has extended family around, so we will all do pretty much anything for each other - 5am phone calls " I need to go to hospital, please look after my child" to "hey, just spied marmite in a shop, you still looking gor a jar".
Don't believe everything in the press about SA. Whilst it is not all sunshine and roses out here, there is also a slightly ideallic life for (small) kids out here, as compound living offers more freedoms than UK living. Mine can go to the park on their own, and pop to the shop - not things they could have done in the UK.
A job as a teacher (or private tutor at ££££) is quite likely to be available to a British trained teacher.
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