A Crazy 48 Hours Moving to Saudi Arabia | Expats Everywhere
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- Опубліковано 11 кві 2020
- Josh and Kalie from ExpatsEverywhere continue to vlog about their lives as expats. They started their adventure in Madrid, Spain and then moved to Busan, South Korea. They are now talking about their experience in moving to Saudi Arabia. See what they have to say about how they decided on Saudi Arabia and their crazy first 48 hours.
Check out their other vlogs here: • Stories to Inspire You...
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It’s crazy how similar our stories are. As a Saudi student I had it a bit rough tbh🤦🏽♂️💔. I went on a scholarship to the US, and my first cultural shock was how badly we were treated as Saudis by US immigration employees. They literally made us wait in a long line for like 4 hours to then be told that as a Saudi students we have to wait in a separate room until all travelers are done. Then they lined us up all over again by ourselves and just get asked stupid racist questions, like are you terrorist? Or how many people have you bombed? And if you react in any negative way they would kick you out. It was the most unwelcoming humiliating moment of my life, and I was only 18 years old in a foreign land that I had to drop out of college to go to. However, as soon as my passport got stamped, everything went easy because the Saudi embassy was waiting for us and took us to Dubletree Hotel. Also I had the same experience as you with the bathroom, I literally brought with me a water hose 🚿 meanwhile my friends had to take a shower every time they used the bathroom 😂😂🤦🏽♂️. Also, I had the same weird experience traveling by myself from Washington DC to Orlando, there was no Arabs only western people and it was scary and fun at the same time. btw I went to study English in CMMS in UCF, Orlando . So literally we had the same experience but from the opposite point of view.
that's one of the reasons why I decided to study in the UK rather than the US. in the UK the immigration waiting line for all foreigners take 2h+ but every time I go there they just ask me a couple of questions and let me in, also you barely witness any discrimination in the UK
My main issue would be getting around without a car, getting to and from work, to the gym etc. I can imagine trying to hail down a taxi when I'm already rushing to work and just not seeing a taxi anywhere...
Thank you so much for sharing this lovely information about the place. Me and my wife are on the same spot and this video was a solid gem
You're welcome. We had a good time in Saudi and there's some content about KSA you might want to check out in the channel. We're hoping to get some fresh interviews soon. - Josh & Kalie
I’m from Saudi Arabia and lived in the US for about seven years and whenever I get on the airplane at New york going to Saudi I immediately feel that I’m home because of the people on board. I really understand what you’ve felt being on that airplane.
I’m really glad that everything worked out well
Enjoy you too. I lived in Jubail for 2 1/2 years and loved every day I was there.
You should be able to edit it to Jubail if you want.
I'm Saudi but never went to jabil
I watched the entire Saudi series on this channel and you guys have answered all the questions a person could possibly have before moving there. 👍👍
Thank you very much! 🥰 I'm sure there's some stuff we've missed but we appreciate the kind words. We are going to try to get another interview or two for 2021. So much is changing in Saudi Arabia and we want to stay on top of it. Again we appreciate your kind words and support. Hope to have you as a subscriber and if you know anyone else interested in Saudi Arabia or living abroad in general, please, pass the channel to them. Share a video that impacted you in particular. It really helps our growth and allows us to become more sustainable and to produce more and better content. 🙏
Well if everything goes as planned I can be the one sharing my experiences in 2021 as an expat in Saudi 😜 JK.. But seriously, little to no information is available online for expats planning to move to Saudi. Already a subscriber and this is really informative and great content you guys are making.
@@namastelondontv5581 we’re humbled. Thank you. We’ll keep working on sourcing more. It’s tough. A lot of people don’t want to talk about it. We are pretty certain we’ll have another interview in April or May but we’re also looking at a few other leads. Let us know how you get on with your move. Keep us posted. Thanks for subscribing and reaching out.
Hello! I really enjoy it. The way you present, you tell your stories is so clear and pleasant! I can not wait for more videos! It was too short! I am myself French and expatriate in Canada. After all these incredible experiences abroad (the excitements, discoveries of new countries, new people, new cultures ...) was it difficult to decide to move back to your country?
Hi Nora B! Thank you so much for the lovely comment. We really appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback and engage with us in such an authentic way. It's really cool that you're an expat in Canada from France. Are you living in Quebec City or Montreal by chance? We would actually love to do an interview with you wherever you are as that's the core of what we do at ExpatsEverywhere UA-cam.
To answer your question, Josh and Kalie haven't really "moved back". Here's a message from Josh...
We are in a situation where we are back in the US for a little longer than planned due to a series of life events. It had been 10 years since we spent time with family and friends for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. So we were going to leave Singapore at the end of our visas, spend a few months traveling and go back to the US for the holidays before leaving again for a new country. Then Kalie got pregnant, and the baby was due around January. Our baby, Valencia, arrived January 1st 2020, then coronavirus hit and it has prevented us from traveling/moving abroad again. We're targeting a new country by late July/early August, but that's up in the air because virtually all nations have put their visa processing on hold. In saying all of that, we haven't really considered these months moving back but instead being in a holding pattern. It's odd being back and the lack of adventure in our lives. We miss it and can't wait to get back out there. Personally, I don't believe that we'll ever move back full time, but maybe in old age it's a possibility...probably not though. :-) Sincerely, Josh
@@ExpatsEverywhere Hello, thanks for your message. I am living in Toronto. Yes, please feel free to send me a private message. I would love to share my experience with you.
Josh and Kalie, congratulations!!! (Valencia is a lovely name!). I understand your situation. I hope you will be able to move again soon. Can't wait for hearing more stories from you... Stay safe!
Hello J&k , thanks for your honesty. You reminded me with my first time going to the great US of A, October 22nd. 1976 , my adventure started @ My city Al-Kharj, to Riyadh - Ciro - Paris- Montreal - Houston - L.A . Portland. -,Seattle. . It’s true to what you should be preparing for, imagine what we could do in the 70s , now the world is becoming more like a village. . Take care and enjoy. Cheers
Hey! Awesome to read about all of your travels! Incredible. 😁 Traveling in the 70s must have been hard work. - Josh & Kalie
I’m so relate , This feeling after long flight and seeing the long line at the airport 🤦🏻♀️ ( with a toddler for hours standing ) it makes me feel that i really don’t want to travel again like forever , so exhausting our flight usually from Dammam to Riyadh to Washington then North Carolina then Houston and finally to College Station it took me forever to write it 😂 ( sorry for my English ) and thank you for sharing 🤍🇸🇦
Wow, JoJo. We saw your other comment too. Good to hear more about you. Don't worry about your English. We understand and it's good to hear from you. - Josh & Kalie
I want to say you are most welcome..I'm interested in your story ..I hope you enjoy staying in Saudi Arabia after these 48 h
Hannes thank you. There’s more to the story that we’ll get into in future videos. Thanks for watching and reaching out.
Great informative video.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your experience! My family and I are educators and headed to Udhailiyah with Aramco in August. Would love to connect to help us in our transition!
You're welcome, Chris. Armaco seems to be a solid company to work for and certainly one of the best jobs in all of KSA. Let us know how we can help. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere Let us know the best way to connect. We are set to head out in August (excited for the heat :))
@@chrislucas1353 info@expatseverywhere.com is our email. Contact us there and we’ll sort something out. Thanks.
Well as a Canadian born and raised in Jeddah Saudi Arabia. I just would like to give you a few tips on how to deal with Saudis . First of all they’re very cultural you just need to understand their way of living very laid back and they like to socialize and interact with others. I understand you guys from North America totally different environment but this is the beauty of traveling to different parts of the world to learn and adjust to other cultures. Good luck with your journey!
Thank you. You surely know it well culturally both ways.
Welcome to Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
Cheers! Josh & Kalie loved their time there. Thanks for watching.
I am Saudi and I went to the US to study over, and I faced what did you guys faced but any who welcome to Saudi Arabia
Saudi is changing so much
Thanks for the comment. How so? What are the 3 biggest changes that you've seen?
Expats Everywhere the way they think and rules changed a lot
You guys are so funny love this
Awww 🥰 Thanks for the love - Josh & Kalie
Hi, I know this is an old video but curious if you are still working in ALHassa ? I am an American and I have lived here for 20 years. Nice hearing your story.
Hi Deanna, we don't. We've moved on very much so, but we still have friends there. How's your experience been? Thanks for writing. - Josh & Kalie
Welcome to Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 greeting from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 much respect as a Saudi special operation force
Thank you! 🇸🇦
@@ExpatsEverywhere thanks for replying, your channel is so awesome and I subed
@@saman-iw9tx thank you very much. We’re humbled and appreciate your support and sub. It’s been awesome for us to do all of these interviews and hear about people’s experiences around the world. Plus our channel’s origin story is linked to Saudi Arabia so that place will always be important to us.
@@ExpatsEverywhere I checked it out its great 👍 content 👌. I just wanna say stay safe out there
@@saman-iw9tx cheers! You as well. Blessings 🙏
Did you like living in saudi Arabia and what is the advantages and disadvantages?
Yes and no. It was a wonderful experience. Advantages (new culture, geographical position to see other parts of the Middle East region, ability to save). Disadvantages (monochromatic landscape, somewhat boring compound life, a feeling of restrictiveness for Kalie). Thanks for the comment. Sorry we missed it.
@@ExpatsEverywhere thank you, good luck for you and your family,
Keep the good work.
How long did the Iqama process take? Any tips for pets?
The company that Josh and Kalie went through used a visa agent in the US to take care of their paperwork and expedite things. It took only a few weeks (3-4). It was really fast once they got all of the stuff they needed collected.
As far as pets, they have a very small Yorkie that did not go with them because none of the airlines into Saudi allowed dog in the cabin and they didn't want to risk putting him in cargo/checked luggage. Plenty of people on the compound had cats, either they got while in Saudi or brought, but mainly ones they got in Saudi.
Hope that's helpful. When is your move?
Welcome in Saudi, I hope you're having a good time here. Can you tell us more about your daily life routine and work routine?
Josh and Kalie have sense left Saudi. They'll do more videos about their time there but they are also reaching out to other expats in Saudi to get an even fresher perspective.
Is it possible for you guys to provide information about the agency stateside that helped you get you iqama visa? Thank you for your video. I’ve accepted a job in Dammam and my wife will be joining me but we’re trying to get her working on a local hospital there.
Great question and remarkably we do still remember the name...A Briggs abriggs.com/
The company that we worked for had us go through them so this is no endorsement per se, but they were good and easy to work with for sure.-Josh and Kalie
Big congratulations on the job! If you'd like to come on the channel and do an interview after you live there about 6 months and get your barrings, we'd love to hear about it. Also, if you need anything else, email us at expatseverywhere@gmail.com and we'll do our best.
@@ExpatsEverywhere We would love to do a video highlighting our experience! I've got tons of questions so be on the lookout for my emails!!!!!! Thanks for the quick reply to my question!!!!
V2Asylum Awesome. We’ll be on the lookout and get back to you today.
How much did it paym
We'll talk about that in a future video more in detail but the job was on the lower end of the pay scale and it was $3,200 plus bonuses per month, however, it was the savings rate that was crazy! Probably $2,500 or more in savings per month. Thanks for the question!
Also, Keegan Tomik, thanks for subscribing and following the channel for over a year now. Josh and Kalie will give you a shout out on the next Review/Preview for connecting with us.
مدري شيقولون بس لبى السعوديه🦦🇸🇦🇸🇦🇧🇷💚💚
I will translate it for you
(I do not know what they are saying, but I love Saudi Arabia) 😂
Thanks for the translation. I'm wondering how you can translate to Drz Op so he'll know what we're saying :-)
Are you ok Saudi is currently fighting a war and it is going badly for Saudis
We're not currently in Saudi. Thank you for thinking about us though. - Josh & Kalie
I am about to move to KSA just got the job offer my time is about to come 😂
All the best!
Saudi Arabia is one of the safest countries in the world
Crime-wise, yes. - Josh & Kalie
That was supposed to be Jubail.
Welcome to my Alhasa city 😅
🥳 Thank you.
You still haven't experienced that long wait properly, if you see Hajj time its worse
😂 we would imagine you’re right!
A little bit rude! Yes we get paid but it’s never been a “chance to make money” we care about learning more than you know.
That’s fair enough but we’ve literally been told by students both male and female that they’re their to socialize with friends and to get the stipend, which is fine, no judgment. It’s great that your mindset is about learning. Good on you! That’s fantastic. 😃
I think you just had bad luck
😅It wasn't so bad. Just another crazy story. We had a weirder one in Cairo. - Josh & Kalie
Hi there, we are a young family (kids 5 and a half and 3, possibly another on the way!) and currently considering Jeddah due to rising costs of living here in London, general standard of living (ie we increasingly can't afford to do much, or save anything)! And also to escape the cold. I'm slightly concerned about a move to the middle East though. Would I have to cover up everywhere I went? Is there a good social life / lots of activities for young families and kids? My little girl loves her clubs, gymnastics, football etc... Is there a lot on offer there to do. London is crazy expensive, but the upside is there is so much to do and lots of green spaces, parks and playgrounds around where we live, which I worry I would miss. We spend a lot of time outdoors when we can. Anyway, any advice much appreciated! Thanks for sharing your experience. Also, my partner and I aren't actually married (another thing we can't afford to do in the way we would like!), does that matter over there? Would we have to get married first before going?
Hi Sarah, sorry that we're just seeing this. Could you email Kalie at info@expatseverywhere.com ? - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere thanks, have done
No you don't need to mary before you come. And you can wear modest clothes without abaya,, for example woman can wear long sweat pants, and long sleeves shirt.