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Post by Nonno on Sept 14, 2012 11:48:26 GMT
I'm sitting here waiting to learn if my visa has been approved. I'm told my anticipated arrival in Kingdom date is February 28th and my biggest concern right now, in light of the recent unrest and anti-American sentiment, is how safe is it? Obviously, there are no guarantees in life, but are my family and friends right in stating that I'd be crazy to move to Saudi Arabia at this time? I like to think not and am excited by the prospect of learning about a new culture and meeting and working with new people. But still, I gotta ask....
And, what about travel into the city? How safe am I if one weekend I head into the city to go shopping for appliances and furniture? Do I need to travel in a group or is travel alone ok?
I've been eagerly anticipating this move since the interview and job offer but now I'm taking pause and wondering.
Anyone else?
Thank you,
Nonno
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Post by divenpuff on Sept 14, 2012 12:37:55 GMT
I myself am not too concerned.
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Post by almostcheerful on Sept 15, 2012 5:07:28 GMT
If a layman ask this question then it make sense but as a professional your question bother me. You are not in Afgansitan where you need to go with groups. If you ever have attended the orientation then you must be known of Aramco Security. You think you will be killed while walking on the streets? Realy, I don't blame you for this. This is what US media is doing since after 9/11. Muslims don't hate Americans and I think is giving you an opportunity to live in Muslim country and you can see their values by your own rather than trusting on media. I promise with you when you returned back you may have good impression about Muslims or Islam. Whatever happening these days is different story and I don't want to elaborate here about" freedom of speech". If you are coming in Kingdom with fear then you will always feel unsafe from your internal feelings but if you come with the feelings of "new home" then you will always find a peace like home. Its up to you what you are looking for?
Bless ya all
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Post by GroveWanderer on Sept 15, 2012 7:31:42 GMT
Everything is quiet here (as usual). No signs of any unrest that I have noticed or heard of.
We went shopping in Khobar this weekend and I went to the Tawuniya car insurance office on the Khobar-Dammam highway this morning. Apart from the usual crazy driving habits around here, everything was just as safe and just as quiet as it always is.
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Post by interest_rate on Sept 15, 2012 13:51:47 GMT
also gave an opportunity to Chris Stevens to go live in Libya, a Muslim country - his fate has not been so peaceful, maybe now, but not the way he died.
The point is nothing's guaranteed anywhere - hate crimes happen everywhere. It happened few times in US and scores of people were murdered by weirdoes.
It is perfect to have these concerns and that is very human as well. My mom used to worry every time I crossed the street as I grew up a child in a developing country - well I am living as of this write-up! I wouldn't even think that her concerns for me was unnecessary.
Media does it the same everywhere and we all buy what they sell - some we like regardless (depending on our morals, values, and background), others we reject.
I completely agree with you almostcheerful - unless we travel more and meet more people across the globe, these concerns will always be there. Meeting more people and exposing ourselves to different cultures help us realize how unfounded many of these concerns are, not necessarily absent entirely just like our own home.
I am sure happy I crossed that street and many since then.
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Post by Twofeets on Sept 15, 2012 19:29:39 GMT
Define 'safe'? I feel safer here than I did back in Jacksonville, Florida.
While there are issues around the world, the simple truth is that 'News' is a business. The more they sensationalize things, the more problems which exist, the more money they make. If they can stir things up a bit in the process it only makes them more money.
If you watch US news you'd think this entire area is Afghanistan (Ive seen stories on Saudi Arabia with pics of Iraq and Afghanistan in the background). They do this on purpose. The more anti arab sentiment they can build up, the more chance for future conflicts, the more money they make. If it makes you feel any better, some media outlets here do the same thing to stir up people against America.
My wife and I just got back from another trip to Khobar. The people were as friendly as ever. They smiled and played with our son (19 months old). They were friendly and polite. Yes you may run into a few who arent so nice once in awhile, but not near as many as youd meet in most major US cities.
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Post by Nonno on Sept 16, 2012 13:08:18 GMT
Thank you each for your replies. They are very helpful. It's because of the misinformation that I came on the forum and asked the question - more for my family and friends than for myself. I felt confident in my decision to move to Saudi Arabia and I still do. As I said, I am excited to be moving to a new country yet again. I am no stranger to foreign living or travel, though I am new to this part of the world. One of the highlights for me, as almostcheerful suggested in his post is for most of us, is meeting new people and learning about new cultures - and indeed, it is one of the main reasons I accepted the offer. In fact, I've suggested to Houston that if it's at all possible, I'd like to be in Kingdom in time for the upcoming National Day weekend so I can partake and learn more about the culture and country. Regarding the misinformation, I hear from one Muslim friend that everything is honky dory but another tells me not to travel alone in Kingdom. I came on to here to find out what the "truth of the matter" is and I appreciate every answer.  Still looking forward to transitioning to the Kingdom, Nonno |
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