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My son is finishing up his advanced education in a very narrow field. There are few job opportunities which he has known all along but he loves this subject.
He has been offered a job in Saudi Arabia. His salary would be tax free, generous allowance for housing, 1 trip per year home, paid way to seminars, conventions elsewhere in the world.
He is single, straight and healthy young man. Saudi Arabia is very strict about alchohol, pornography, dating, etc. don't think he would like it. Plus it is extremely hot there.
How would you react if it were your son? I don't think he will base his decision on what his parents say or feel but right now we all are kind of laughing and joking about it but I think he is seriously thinking about it.
When I was young and single I loved to travel and probably would have considered a big move too but Saudi Arabia? In this world of war and strife?
Personally, I think it sounds cool. What a great opportunity to not only get job experience but sock away money and get to experience another culture.
I think so to.
I have friends who live in Dubai for work and they love it. They do find it hard when it comes to enjoying themselves in public but they have met with other patriates and ex-pats which they socialize at each others home.
My concern would be the length of time he would stay before they review his contract. Once a year to visit family seems so little.
No Kudzu, if I were you I would voice my concern but realize too that this can be a wonderful opportunity. If there was a war I would assume his company would allow him to leave the country immediately.
I have friends who live in Dubai for work and they love it. They do find it hard when it comes to enjoying themselves in public but they have met with other patriates and ex-pats which they socialize at each others home.
My concern would be the length of time he would stay before they review his contract. Once a year to visit family seems so little.
Very good points - once a year does seem like very little. I think twice a year is typical. Maybe that's negotiable? I work with and know of people working in Dubai also...they love it.
He's telling me there is no contract but I doubt that seriously. He has already negotiated 10K more in salary than they initially offered and he is trying to get them to foot the bill or at least part of it for him to visit but again I doubt that would be possible.
We get more details almost every day as he is communicating with the university official there.
It's not Dubai I don't think. A new university but I will get more info. One of the more appealing things about it for his is the ability to visit with other professionals in his field all over the world. But wouldn't you want in writing which seminars or conventions they will spring for?
Would you rather he not go for him, .. or yourself?
Quote:
He has been offered a job in Saudi Arabia. His salary would be tax free, generous allowance for housing, 1 trip per year home, paid way to seminars, conventions elsewhere in the world.
He is single, straight and healthy young man. Saudi Arabia is very strict about alchohol, pornography, dating, etc. don't think he would like it. Plus it is extremely hot there
Sounds like the perfect job experience. No telling where it might lead.
Our southwest is hot as well and look how many people are happy living and working there !!
Give him your blessing and smile when you do it. Mean it. Let him make the decision on his own knowing you support this experience he has ahead.
There's nothing you will regret more than if you dissuade him from going and he stays because of your reluctance to let him fly on his own (And by fly, I mean going off on his own, in his own direction.).
If his field is very specialized and jobs are very limited, unless there was some huge issue, I'd think he'd be wise to give it a try. But I would definitely get the whole story first....don't want any nasty surprises after the fact!
Beggars can't be choosers in the current economy. Especially young ones with no real job experience. We can't always wait around for the perfect job. JMHO
He's telling me there is no contract but I doubt that seriously. He has already negotiated 10K more in salary than they initially offered and he is trying to get them to foot the bill or at least part of it for him to visit but again I doubt that would be possible.
We get more details almost every day as he is communicating with the university official there.
It's not Dubai I don't think. A new university but I will get more info. One of the more appealing things about it for his is the ability to visit with other professionals in his field all over the world. But wouldn't you want in writing which seminars or conventions they will spring for?
I doubt that too..about the contract. Keep me posted!
While there is certainly inherent risk for an American with a job in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is certainly one of the far more preferred locations in terms of safety. Also, many communities there have foreigner "compounds" that don't necessarily have the same laws as the rest of the place.
I would view this as what is most likely a once in a lifetime opportunity to delve head first into his field and develop real knowledge. Also, having the experience of living in a foreign country and Middle East experience in particular (especially if he learns Arabic) will pay massive dividends in the future.
No matter how you cut it, he won't ever be "stuck" there.
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